From Financialpost · · 1m 30s
10 Black-Led Startups Secure Funding at DMZ Summit
10 Canadian Black-led startups win $170k funding at DMZ's Black Innovation Summit.
In brief
10 Canadian Black-led startups win $170k funding at DMZ's Black Innovation Summit. 10 Black-led Canadian startups secured $170,000 in funding through DMZ's Black Innovation Summit pitch competition. Originally reported by Financialpost.
Black Innovation Summit Overview
Over 300 attendees gather for DMZ’s sixth annual Black Innovation Summit, championing Black founders as a driver of economic growth.
Summit Details
Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ held its sixth annual Black Innovation Summit presented by Scotiabank, where 10 Black-led startups from across Canada pitched for $170,000 in funding.
Program Background
The Summit is the marquee event for DMZ’s Black Innovation Programs (BIP), launched in 2019, supporting over 2,500 Black founders and distributing $3.2 million in grants and services.
Startup Pitch Competition
This year’s pitch competition featured 10 Black-led startups spanning AI, cleantech, edtech, fintech, health tech, medtech and enterprise software, with half women-led.
Key Attendees
David Owasi, CEO of OutreachGenius and recipient of the top investment prize at the 2025 Black Innovation Summit, returned to share insights on fundraising and investment readiness.
Funding Outcomes
Hey Cleo received $100,000 investment from DMZ Ventures and $10,000 grant from Black Founders Network; Curvis received $50,000 investment from DMZ Ventures.
Startup Impact
Josh Ekundayo, Co-Founder and CEO of Hey Cleo, said securing funding means a lot as the Black Innovation Summit put them in front of investors who believe in their platform.
The main idea
10 Black-led Canadian startups secured $170,000 in funding through DMZ's Black Innovation Summit pitch competition.
