UTM Startups attended the Philanthropitch Competition hosted Sheridan College’s EDGE Network startup incubator.  This event provides exposure and money for NFPs that are ready to scale sustainable business models or programs.

The Oakville Community Foundation generously presented a $25,000 cheque for the four event prizes. “There’s a lot that can be achieved by investing in people,” said Wendy Rinella, CEO of the OCF. “Supporting initiatives like The EDGE Philanthropitch is one way for our Foundation to inspire grassroots change.”  

Hosted at Sheridan’s Trafalgar Campus, 8 contestants made their pitches, each highlighting a pressing social or environmental challenge.  They plan on how to help solve them with their own venture, often leaving the crowd inspired.

Congratulations to: 

• 1st ($10,000): Joint App – a digital platform that aids in digitizing and centralizing aspects of the immigration process for international students.
• 2nd ($7,500): Circular Toys  – an environmentally-conscious subscription service for quality and developmentally-appropriate children’s toys
• 3rd ($5,000) and Crowd Favourite ($2,500): LinkMentalHealth – a website that connects people with mental health services

The mission is to scale impact and innovation wherever it lives. Where for-profit and nonprofit worlds collide for good, social impact ecosystems are giving rise to more purposeful and profitable outcomes.

About EDGE

The Entrepreneurship Discovery and Growth Engine (EDGE) is the place where entrepreneurship and innovation thrive at Sheridan. If you want to learn how to develop a social enterprise, EDGE has the resources to get you started.  Dedicated to building community through philanthropy, EDGE and The Oakville Community Foundation are committed to helping those in Oakville improve the quality of life for each and every person. “The EDGE Philanthropitch is a fantastic opportunity for us to combine efforts with Sheridan, pool our resources, knowledge and expertise, to make a lasting impact,” says Wendy Rinella, CEO of the foundation. “By investing in an individual with a promising social enterprise, we believe we’ll see the positive ripple effects on many members of our communities”.