Momentum to Millions: Mississauga founders pitch global solutions and win big

At the Momentum to Millions event held on June 11, 2026, entrepreneurs did more than talk about innovation, they competed to prove it. The IDEA Mississauga Step-Up Program hosted the live pitch event at the Living Arts Centre, with support from the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance. The event brought together companies ready to grow, along with investors, partners and City leaders. Founders focused on real-world impact and walked away with funding to support their next stage.

City-run programs like Step-Up help entrepreneurs and businesses access the support, advice and networks they need to move from early traction to long-term growth. The Step-Up Program supports diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs as they work through common barriers and prepare to scale.

A live look at scaling in action

Companies from life sciences, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors pitched their ideas to solve real-world challenges. The audience included investors, industry partners, business leaders and City of Mississauga representatives.

Founders competed for up to $20,000 in prizes, along with exposure, connections and further funding. More than a showcase, the event was a chance for high-potential companies to test their pitch, build relationships and move closer to scale.

Turning ambition into local opportunity and impact

Three entrepreneurs took home cash awards and gained momentum to grow their ideas.

Diana Al-Dajani received a $10,000 cash award for eduTechnoz, her gamified teaching platform. She created it after students told her they wanted more exciting ways to learn Arabic. Her solution makes language learning more engaging and accessible.

Mark Shenouda, PhD, took second place and a $6,000 award for Neuropeutics. The company develops therapies that extend both the length and quality of life for people living with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Shevonne Chin, Canada’s first woman swarm drone pilot and founder of Flik FX, received a $4,000 award. Her experience in drone technology and fireworks can turn the sky into a communication platform and can be used in disaster zones to reach out to people.

Other companies in the same IDEA Step-Up Program cohort include:

• Cashtella: improving payment systems between Canada and Nigeria.
• DigiBiomics: developing diagnostic and triaging solutions for respiratory conditions.
• Elev8: building wearable technology to enhance performance.
• Enabled Talent: using AI to connect talent and employers more fairly.
• K-Will: helping families organize assets and preserve memories.
• Optinum Professional Corporation: simplifying cross-border payments.
• Shop3D.ca: distributing 3D printing technologies.
• Travellez: streamlining business travel management.
• Vuga Tech: developing an AI-powered anti-theft solution for vehicles.
• Waitery: improving restaurant service and the dine-in experience.

Recognizing growth and potential

Participants gained more than funding. They also gained advice and insight.

IDEA Mississauga Awards

Former Step-Up founders receive IDEA Mississauga Awards at the recent Momentum to Millions pitch event.

Former Step-Up founders returned to share their experiences, with six of the former participants receiving new IDEA Mississauga Awards. Ward 4 Councillor and Deputy Mayor John Kovac presented the awards on behalf of City Council to recognize key business milestones.

IDEA Mississauga Investor’s Choice Founder Award

The IDEA Mississauga Investor’s Choice Founder Award recognizes former Step-Up Program participants who are attracting investors, have raised $1.5 million in funding and demonstrate strong leadership to grow their businesses. The 2026 winners are:

Xatoms: An AI and quantum chemistry–driven clean technology company developing new materials to help purify water.

Kare Chemical: A biotechnology and pharmaceutical company developing methods to produce high-purity cannabinoids—compounds found in the cannabis plant—as well as other chemicals for medical use.

HDAX: A life sciences company developing treatments for complex diseases, including cancer and neurological and heart-related conditions.

IDEA Mississauga High-Growth Venture Awards

The IDEA Mississauga High-Growth Venture Award recognizes former Step-Up Program participants who have reached $1 million in annual recurring revenue and built high-growth, investment-ready companies. The 2026 winners are:

Food Mamba: A food-tech platform that makes corporate catering and event planning easier by connecting businesses with trusted restaurants and vendors.

Scooty: A mobility platform that provides shared electric scooters and bikes to make getting around cities easier.

Swiftracks: An AI and innovation platform company that helps organizations make better decisions in uncertain situations using applied AI, product systems, and step-by-step testing.

Why Mississauga works for scale-ups

Mississauga continues to grow as a hub for business.

Located in the Region’s Innovation Corridor, the city sits within North America’s second-largest technology cluster. Its diverse business community gives companies access to talent, capital and partnerships.

Events like Momentum to Millions strengthen that advantage. They connect founders with the networks they need to scale. For the founders on stage, the event was not the finish line. It was the launchpad.

About the IDEA Step-Up Program

The IDEA Step-Up Program is a six-month initiative. It helps innovative and inclusive companies grow and overcome barriers.

The program focuses on sustainability and inclusivity. It supports companies working to create both economic and social impact.

About IDEA Mississauga

IDEA Mississauga is the city’s hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. It connects local and global founders and helps businesses grow.

Its home base, the IDEA Square One Entrepreneurship Hub, is a 4,300-square-foot innovation space located inside Square One Shopping Centre. It brings start-ups, scale-ups, corporate partners and investors together.

Digital assets and downloads

• Download assets from the IDEA Mississauga Step-Up Program event.
• Video IDEA Mississauga – Step-Up Program 2026