The IDEA Step-Up Program Pitch brought together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders in Mississauga for an evening of live startup presentations and final awards, as scaling companies showcased their traction across health tech, education, advanced manufacturing, and deep tech.
At the center of the event was the pitch competition, where six startups presented their growth plans to a judging panel before three companies were selected as winners, sharing a total of $20,000 in funding.
Winning Companies
First Place, $10,000
EduTechnoz
EduTechnoz took the top prize for its gamified education platform focused on improving learning outcomes through interactive digital tools. The company has initially targeted Arabic literacy, using game-based mechanics to improve engagement and accessibility in language learning.
Second Place, $6,000
Neuropeutics Inc.
Neuropeutics was recognized for its work in neurodegenerative disease treatment, developing targeted therapies aimed at extending patient survival and improving quality of life in areas with significant unmet medical need.
Third Place, $4,000
Flik FX Inc.
Flik FX Inc. earned third place for its ambitious multi-sector platform spanning aerospace, communications, intelligence, advertising, and energy, with a focus on autonomous and aerial infrastructure technologies.
The Full Pitch Cohort
While the spotlight was on the winners, the event also featured presentations from a broader cohort of innovative companies:
DigiBiomics Inc. is building AI-powered healthcare tools for early diagnosis and personalized treatment, including its PulmoDeep platform for lung disease detection and broader applications in cancer screening and drug discovery.
K-Wills Inc. is modernizing estate planning through a digital platform that helps users manage wills, digital assets, and inheritance planning.
Shop3D supplies 3D printing technology, materials, and equipment, providing streamlined access to global hardware and reducing friction in cross-border procurement for makers and institutions.
The evening highlighted a mix of early traction and scaling ambition across sectors, with judges ultimately selecting winners that stood out for clarity of vision, market relevance, and execution potential within their respective industries.
The IDEA Step-Up Program Pitch continues to position itself as a platform for emerging companies aiming to accelerate from early growth into broader market expansion.