# 10 Black-Led Startups Secure Funding at DMZ Summit

> 10 Canadian Black-led startups win $170k funding at DMZ's Black Innovation Summit.
- Title: 10 Black-Led Startups Secure Funding at DMZ Summit | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: dmz, black innovation summit, black led startups, funding, scotiabank, canada, startup, pitch competition, black founders, investment, money, business
- Source: Financialpost — https://financialpost.com/globe-newswire/10-black-led-startups-take-the-stage-at-dmzs-sixth-annual-black-innovation-summit
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dmz, black innovation summit, black led startups, funding, scotiabank, canada, startup, pitch competition, black founders, investment, money, business
## 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.
## Key takeaway

10 Black-led Canadian startups secured $170,000 in funding through DMZ's Black Innovation Summit pitch competition.