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Five real-world problems that led to breakthrough business ideas

Founders

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Five real-world problems that led to breakthrough business ideas

Behind every startup, there’s a unique story that showcases the grit, vision and creativity of its founders. From personal struggles to unexpected opportunities, these entrepreneurs have transformed their challenges into innovative solutions, shaping their companies along the way.

At DMZ, we’ve witnessed countless founders take their ideas from concept to reality, overcoming obstacles and creating impactful businesses. We wanted to profile five startups and highlight how these founders share one common trait: they identified a problem and had the tenacity to build something great to solve it.

From guitar strings to studio kings: How a musical gap year led to Soundspace.


Richard Anderson, Founder and CEO of Soundspace, is a prolific guitar player who knows exactly how costly it can be to pursue your passion. Before entering an MD-PhD neuroscience program, Richard decided to take a gap year at the Berkeley College of Music. He began looking for spaces to record his songs, but found the process extremely expensive for any solo artist. While chatting with studio owners, Richard identified a gap in the recording industry: high demand from creatives and low utilization of studio spaces.

His desire to bridge the gap by making creative spaces more accessible propelled him to create Soundspace. Built by a team of like-minded music buffs, Soundspace is available across the United States to book your next studio session, rehearsal or podcast.

Health hack hero: How giving women a smarter system for health, without sacrificing style, led to Loba. 


Kate Bouchard, Founder of Loba, transformed her personal struggles into a thriving business. After being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and uterine fibroids, Kate found herself juggling frequent visits to the doctor. Managing multiple medications and supplements with different dosages, she realized there wasn’t a practical or aesthetically pleasing, tech-enabled solution for organizing pills.

That’s when the idea struck her: women deserve a product that makes managing pills an enjoyable experience—without feeling like they’re pulling out grandma’s pill organizer. With her background in advertising and the support of healthcare professionals, Kate set out to create just that and Loba was born.

Data dreams: How tapping into corporate chaos founded SmartConcil.

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SmartConcil’s founder, Victor Salinas García, is a system engineer from Mexico with a long history of developing solutions for financial institutions. In 2017, one of Victor’s clients needed help with automated data consolidation. Surprised that a tool was not already out there, Victor saw an opportunity to build it himself.

After moving his company to Canada, he transitioned his service-based company to a product-focused startup. Today, SmartConcil is an internal auditor for mid-sized and large corporations to automate data collection, analysis and classification.

Out-of-office, not out of luck: How email woes inspired Snoooz.ai

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Snoooz.ai was born from a pivotal moment in Founder Chitresh Singh’s journey as a Customer Success Manager, where missing a single email nearly cost his team a $30,000 renewal. With multiple team members out of office, a frustrated client escalated the issue, pulling in executives and risking valuable relationships. This wasn’t just an operational oversight—it was a wake-up call.

Chitresh realized people shouldn’t have to choose between work and taking a break. So, he developed Snoooz.ai, an AI-powered email assistant that sends personalized, context-aware auto-replies and loops in designated team members on critical opportunities and escalations. Today, Snoooz.ai empowers hundreds of businesses across 60+ countries by delivering timely, personalized out-of-office email responses, seamlessly bridging the gap between personal well-being and professional success.

From career fair to founder: How a bold leap of faith paved the way for Talin


In his third year at Toronto Metropolitan University, Julian D’Angelo randomly stumbled upon a DMZ career fair. He met the CEO of Optimity, who a week later asked Julian to work for them as a sales representative. To everyone’s shock, Julian agreed and only took one university course a semester for six years to pursue a startup career. He then became the Head of Growth at Ross Intelligence and ran a fractional consultancy. During that time, Julian noticed one key challenge all startups faced: the inefficient and manual world of staffing.

This led to Julian taking the plunge to create Talin, an automation platform designed to streamline operations for recruitment agencies. Building Talin has shown Julian the highs and lows of the startup journey. From being stuck in his basement working side gigs to pay the bills, to raising $800k in a pre-seed round, Julian says that watching the Talin team grow is “the best feeling in the world”.


Looking to take the next step as a founder? Head to dmz.to/programs to learn more about what program is best for you.

Founders, here’s your 5-step solution for building bold brands with newkid

When newkid joined DMZ’s ecosystem in May, they had a clear mission: to help Canadian startups develop their brand identity in a way that makes an immediate impact. 

“After lots of success with startups from Silicon Valley, LA, and New York, it’s become more meaningful for us to contribute to tech from Canada,” says Matthew Donne, Founder and Creative Director at newkid. “We’re based in Toronto and want to work with communities making great things here, like DMZ, who are preparing startups to compete on the world stage.”

With their dynamic approach to storytelling and deep understanding of branding, newkid is an essential partner for DMZ founders who want to stand out in competitive markets. Here’s how they guide startups to build a strong brand identity, step by step.

1. The ‘newkid’ moment: Who are you?

The name ‘newkid’ comes from a feeling we all know too well – as the new person, full of excitement and nervousness, wondering: Am I going to be a nobody, or somebody?

For DMZ founders trying to make their mark, newkid helps them overcome these early-stage jitters by determining who they are as a young company. The first step is to capture their big ambitions in a simple, clear sentence. Because every brand needs to be memorable and easy to grasp – whether it’s for a potential investor, new customer or even their tech-inept mom.

2. Finding your purpose: Why are you here?

Knowing why your startup exists is just as important as the product you’re creating. Startups at DMZ can’t make progress without a purpose – and they need to have a clear understanding of the full scope of their target market, from investors and clients to customers and users.

newkid helps founders tell their story in a way that makes their audience immediately understand why they’re necessary, which involves thinking deeply about key customer questions. Who is their product for? And what problem are they solving?

3. Making visuals that stick: How do you look?

A strong brand is more than just a logo slapped on a website. Startups need to create a holistic visual identity that effectively communicates their story.

Everyone’s got a cousin who can make a cheap logo, but newkid challenges founders to dig deeper. Is your visual identity powerful enough to hold its own on a global stage? Is it legitimate enough for investors to take you seriously? newkid helps startups think through every visual element through a complete design system – including typefaces, colours, imagery, graphics and more.

“You lose a ton of credibility when your deck looks like PowerPoint template #1. Visual perception is really important and dictates so much of the response on the other side,” says Matthew. “This is often overlooked by startups in B2B situations, who think they can skimp out on visuals because it’s all about the product. But you can definitely lose longstanding clients over amateur visuals, when someone else outcompetes you with a sharp design system.”

newkid’s branding guidelines for American client, Commonplace

4. Defining your voice: How do you speak?

In today’s crowded market, startups are often tempted to take shortcuts by describing their product using artificial intelligence; or even copying the language and tone of other businesses in their sector. But newkid stresses the importance of developing your own unique voice and brand language that feels authentic to your business.

newkid’s team ensures that startups don’t fall into the trap of recycling generic phrases. With several seasoned copywriters on staff, they help founders create a language system tied directly to their brand – crafting the most impactful words and stories to clearly communicate their value to customers.

5. More than just digital: How do you act?

Finally, a brand isn’t just about words and images on a digital screen – it’s also about how you behave in the real world. newkid works with startups to ensure their brand is reflected in their actions, whether it’s the way their team interacts with customers or how they present themselves in meetings.

From company culture to events, every interaction is an extension of the brand. Does your office have a vibe that matches your brand? Do your sales calls reflect the same energy as your website? newkid helps startups define and align all these touchpoints, ensuring that every aspect of the brand feels cohesive and reinforces the company’s core identity.


newkid’s branding for Canadian clothing company, KOTN


The result: A unified brand that makes an impact

The journey for startups at DMZ can be challenging, especially when different team members and mentors bring varying ideas into the mix, leading to a brand identity crisis – a mismatch between words, visuals, and strategy. This lack of clarity can erode confidence and credibility, especially when founders try to pitch their idea or attract investors.

newkid’s approach is about avoiding these pitfalls. By working directly with founders, they create cohesive, powerful brands that speak with one voice and one vision – ensuring that startups are ready for the spotlight, whether it’s in Toronto or the global market.

“newkid is in the business of first impressions. We help startups be seen as put together and meaningful as a brand,” says Matthew. “People see so much more every day. Millions of things across different channels. So there’s less time for people to put all the pieces together. Which makes it more important than ever to be singular across all channels to appeal to investors.”

If you’re looking for new ways to unlock your brand’s potential, sign up for newkid’s 5-part hybrid workshop series with DMZ including the following sessions:

Beyond the pitch deck: How holographic tech brings a pitch to life

The founder checklist for a solid pitch: 

  • Clear problem statement
  • Compelling solution
  • Strong eye contact and body language
  • Stellar deck 
  • Holographic recording…? 


At a time where standing out is crucial, startups must continuously innovate to perfect their pitch and reach new audiences. 

Traditional tactics like sleek slide decks and in-person presentations are being pushed aside as founders seek more dynamic ways to share their vision. At this year’s Collision conference, we debuted a new initiative—bringing startup pitches to life through a stunning, life-size hologram. 

This unique setup, powered by our friends at HOLOMEDIA, allowed three of our startups—Syzl, Talin and SuperCode—to present their ideas to thousands of attendees to vote for their favourite pitch for a cash prize without being physically present.

A new holographic dimension to the startup pitch

Our holographic pitch competition not only captivated conference attendees, but demonstrated the power of technology to transcend traditional barriers, offering startups a platform to amplify their voices in a new dimension.

Compared to traditional 2D content, 3D content is more engaging with viewers, and as a result, has been gaining serious traction as a revolutionary tool for content creation. 3D formats have opened up a whole new dimension of possibilities across industries, from hospitality, entertainment, marketing and more. And while these holographic pitches were a showstopper, it’s only the beginning of what we’re hoping to achieve.

“3D holographic marketing is revolutionizing the way businesses connect with their audiences. It’s not just a trend; it’s a powerful tool that effectively communicates messages and captivates potential customers. Brands and businesses utilizing 3D marketing have seen conversion rates soar by 40%, says Glenn E. Smith, Founder and CEO of HOLOMEDIA. “As 3D technologies continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, businesses that embrace this innovation will unlock new opportunities for growth and engagement.”

HOLOMEDIA has also made remarkable strides in the world of AI, introducing hyper-realistic, fully interactive human avatars that boast real-time voice response, multilingual capabilities in over 40 languages, advanced facial recognition and an array of groundbreaking features that redefine engagement.

Rethinking startup visibility 


At DMZ, we know that true innovation comes from collaboration. Our partnership with HOLOMEDIA goes beyond technology—it’s about joining forces with a fellow Canadian company to redefine the limits of what’s possible.

That’s why we’re taking things up a notch by expanding our partnership. Recognizing the immense potential of their technology solutions, we’ve invited them to set up a HoloStudio and AI Lab at our downtown HQ in Toronto.

Our vision? We hope to live-cast founders to our global network, opening up new opportunities for them to connect with investors, partners and audiences around the world.

It’s a bold move that underscores our commitment to breaking down geographical barriers. We’re committed to supporting founders in unique and impactful ways, proving that when you combine creativity with cutting-edge technology, the results are transformative and not to be braggy, but pretty cool.

Shaping the future of startup engagement

By transforming pixels into powerful narratives, we’re giving founders the tools they need to stand out, reach new audiences and showcase a fellow Canadian technology business that’s crushing it.

This is just the beginning of how technology can unlock new opportunities for growth and success in the startup ecosystem. The future is here, and it’s looking holographic.

Looking to tell great stories through cutting-edge technology? Learn how at HoloMedia.AI.

DMZ YYZ: A gateway to the North American market

As a startup, expanding into new global markets can feel overwhelming. Whether navigating unfamiliar regulations, understanding local business customs, or forging essential connections, the journey can feel like sailing through uncharted waters. 

We built DMZ’s YYZ program to provide a guiding light for international founders – preparing them with the skills and resources required to enter the North American market.  

Set in the heart of downtown Toronto, YYZ offers a comprehensive, two-week soft-landing experience that gives international entrepreneurs an all-access pass to the North American market. It unlocks invaluable connections, insights, and opportunities to accelerate their cross-border journey. But YYZ isn’t just about fast-tracking growth – it’s also about offering the right tools and knowledge to break through market complexities.


DMZ’s YYZ program is uniquely tailored to each new cohort of participants. In 2024, participants were given the opportunity to pitch at Collision and attend an exclusive trip to Innisfil, hosted by the mayor.

“The YYZ program helps international startups understand the Canadian market, connect with local partners and startups, and provide valuable insights into the business environment and ecosystem in Canada.” – Emma Chuang, Asiabots Limited, DMZ YYZ 2024 participant

YYZ runs annually, welcoming new cohorts of global entrepreneurs to Toronto every summer. This past June, 22 startups from six countries received a curated blend of hands-on mentorship, expert-led workshops, and networking opportunities to help scale their startups across borders.

What makes YYZ so effective?

Beyond acting as a launchpad for global entrepreneurs, YYZ is a dynamic platform that brings together many stakeholders – including local investors seeking fresh opportunities, corporate partners offering professional services, and global organizations facilitating cross-border expansion.


YYZ’s carefully crafted schedule allows participants to tap into crucial industry expertise while immersing themselves in Toronto’s vibrant entrepreneurial culture. Highlights include:

  • Startup orientation: To set up YYZ cohorts for success, participants are introduced to the basics of doing business in Canada.
  • Individualized coaching: One-on-one meetings facilitated by DMZ’s experts and alumni allow participants to discuss their ideas directly with industry leaders.
  • Investor and networking events: Global startups are given daily opportunities to connect with potential investors and partners.
  • Ecosystem tours and cultural exposure: Participants experience Canadian culture firsthand – immersing themselves in the local business environment through tours and events within the DMZ ecosystem, which connect them with key players and valuable market insights.

“DMZ YYZ is a great opportunity for start-ups who don’t have any experience in Canada yet and want to get into the Canadian market. The connections during the program provided us with a lot of valuable feedback about our product and marketing strategies.” – Kevin Teng, MedFluid,  DMZ YYZ 2024 participant


Global partners driving innovation

Global partnerships fuel YYZ’s success, and this year was no exception.

Championing the global growth of Egyptian startups, DMZ Cairo’s annual “Demo Day” awarded winning founders of the pitch competition with entry into DMZ YYZ. This cross-border initiative reinforces DMZ Cairo’s role as a critical driver of innovation in the region.

Similarly, StartUp Village (Philippines) and Startup Terrace (Taiwan) played instrumental roles in bringing talented entrepreneurs to Toronto, while the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) also supported high-potential startups from Sri Lanka.

Additionally, JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and the City of Yokohama participated by bringing Japanese founders into the DMZ YYZ program.

“The collaborations between Startup Terrace and DMZ were highly successful. Through customized meetings, comprehensive consulting, and site visits, the Taiwan teams gained valuable insights into the local ecosystem. The connections and networks we established during our stay have laid a strong foundation for future endeavors in the Canadian and North American markets.” – Amy Yeh, International Strategy Executive (Startup Terrance, Taiwan)

“Working with DMZ for the YYZ program has been an AWESOME experience – not just for the startups we brought, but for myself as well. I learned a lot from the experience but more importantly, it opened new opportunities for StartUp Village to explore new markets and business models. We look forward to working more closely with DMZ in the coming years!” – Carlo, President of StartUp Village in the Philippines

Together, these global partnerships empower startups to thrive in international markets, while strengthening the collaborative ecosystem that drives innovation and growth across borders – solidifying YYZ as a trusted program for organizations around the world.

Opportunities for Canadian investors, corporates and other local players

DMZ’s YYZ program is also a gateway for local investors and corporates to build relationships with high-potential startups expanding into North America.

Take accounting firm Logan Katz, for example, who partnered with DMZ to provide legal and business workshops to YYZ participants. This hands-on engagement helps global startups to navigate the complexities of incorporating in Canada, while enabling firms like Logan Katz to forge early-stage relationships with promising international startups – a win-win situation!

YYZ also opens doors for local investors and VCs to meet vetted, investment-ready startups. Through structured programming to refine go-to-market strategies and growth plans, the program offers a curated pipeline of startups that are ready to make big moves in the North American market.

Collaborate with DMZ YYZ!

DMZ YYZ is more than just a soft-landing program; it’s a gateway to success in North America.

If you’re an international founder looking to expand into a dynamic market, a global partner wanting to provide unparalleled support for your startups, or a corporate partner ready to fuel the next wave of innovation, join us today!

Want to learn more? Head to dmz.to/yyz.

How DMZ’s startups are carving out unique paths in the field of AI

Nearly every day, the tech world serves us a new AI delicacy. Unlike the latest viral trends that flash before our eyes in what seems like a second, these AI treats don’t just come and go—they arrive, evolve, and continually leave us in awe of their capabilities.

AI is beyond a buzzword, it has real-life impact.

AI is rapidly changing the tech scene and evolving faster than we can sometimes keep track of. It’s not just a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool, promising to iron out wrinkles in processes and boost efficiency in the tools we use on a daily basis.
DMZ is home to a vast group of companies that are making their mark when it comes to revolutionizing the use of AI. Companies like Flowjin, Kaitongo, Handy.ai, and Loopify have become major driving forces behind modern technology. They’re not just changing the game, they’re inventing a whole new one.

Flowjin

Let’s start with Flowjin. Their AI tool acts as a personalized curator, transforming content into viral hits. Sheida Mirjahani, Co-founder and COO, highlighted how AI revolutionizes content creation, making workflows more efficient. “AI helps you ideate, write video scenarios, help with video editing, and suggest added effects like B-rolls, overall making editing content much easier,” explains Sheida. 

By cutting down editing time, and streamlining the content creation process, AI in this industry lets creators focus more on creativity. Flowjin effortlessly identifies top content segments, creating customizable clips, boosting engagement and broadening audience reach. It simplifies content creation, empowering users to produce digital content loved by social media algorithms.

Kaitongo

Then there’s Kaitongo, an AI-powered client engagement platform helping client-facing professionals get tailored insights on how to grow their client and prospect relationships. 

“AI has powered solutions like Kaitongo to save countless hours on business development tasks like manual client outreach, thought leadership content, and discovering relevant market news to discuss with them,” says Sumathi Pundit, Founder and CEO of Kaitongo. The rapidly evolving field of AI is not static; instead of shying away from this uncertain terrain, Kaitongo chooses to embrace it and encourages other companies to do the same.

“One thing we can know for sure is that change is inevitable, and companies and organizations should actively pursue and adopt AI-driven solutions if they wish to remain relevant and competitive.”  –Sumathi Pundit, Founder and CEO, Kaitongo

 

Handy.ai

Moving from Kaitongo’s external engagement strategies, Handy.ai shifts the focus inward, using AI to streamline internal workflows and improve customer interactions.

“We strive to deliver a human-like experience while strategically minimizing our use of generative AI, such as Gemini and ChatGPT,” says Iryna Andriushchenko Co-founder and CMO of Handy.ai, as she reveals the company’s aim is to provide a solution that is both economically and ecologically responsible.
Handy.ai’s specialists support over 130 languages, streamlining communication and boosting efficiency. It’s clear that Handy.ai is taking advantage of all AI has to offer to improve customer and employee engagement across various industries.


Formaloo

On the horizon, we have Formaloo, a DMZ startup introducing an AI feature, Formaloo AI, to their thriving venture. This innovative leap includes AI-powered surveys designed to gather reliable and unbiased data from audiences, complemented by an AI-driven customer engagement platform for insightful analysis. “Formaloo AI is the next generation of the whole Formaloo platform,” says Farokh Shahabi, Co-Founder and CEO of
Formaloo. 

Additionally, Formaloo’s ‘No-code AI builder’ offers a user-friendly environment for creating and training AI agents using personal databases and spreadsheets. As they navigate this exciting new phase, Formaloo remains optimistic about the future of AI and its transformative potential.

“In the next few years, our industry will change dramatically as creative platforms and startups find the best way to leverage AI to automate tasks and procedures for their customers.”- Farokh Shahabi Co-Founder and CEO



vidBoard.ai

Let’s not forget about VidBoard.ai, a platform that revolutionizes video creation by integrating AI to serve as an actor, voice-over artist, and video editor. Transforming the digital content landscape, vidBoard.ai makes high-quality video creation more accessible while providing a user-friendly platform.

“Creating videos at scale used to take days or even months.. With AI and AI-enabled SaaS tools, the video industry is witnessing a reduction in time and cost, in creating videos at scale.”- Ashwin Madhavan, Co-founder & CEO

Along with AI’s exciting capacity, there are some challenges when developing the perfect team to build and implement these tools into company products and services. “The biggest challenge was finding the right talent to build AI tools. It took us more than 18 months to find the right fit of people who could contribute to vidBoard. We regularly conducted hackathons to find the right talent and gave them a say in the running of the business,” says Ashwin.

Leasey.AI

Leasey.AI is another rising startup reshaping property management by automating tasks and reducing vacancy times. Founder Carlos Leal emphasizes the company’s AI-driven capability to process extensive data rapidly: “One of the key ways Leasey.AI is leveraging AI technologies to reshape the industry is through its ability to rapidly churn through vast amounts of data in a matter of seconds.” This enables real-time insights for critical activities like tenant selection and portfolio optimization.

Loopify

Last but not least, Loopify: the matchmaker of marketing and sales, bringing businesses and customers together with AI-powered precision. “Generative AI is being used in almost every part of marketing, making tasks from planning to content creation much easier and more automated,” says John Alimi, Co-founder and CEO of Loopify. “This means companies and marketers can do more with less, saving time and money.” 



Tailored for startups, small businesses and organizations with limited budgets, Loopify provides affordable marketing solutions through expert-led advertising platforms and social media design services.


Embracing the AI revolution.

DMZ startups are eagerly embracing the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into their products, demonstrating the grit and innovative spirits that exist within our incubator.

“AI is making our marketing tools better, quicker, and more economical, which means businesses using our platform can reach their customers more effectively and affordably.”- John Alimi, Co-founder and CEO of Loopify

These DMZ startups aren’t just riding the AI wave, they’re carving their own path through the digital landscape. Whether it’s sales, CRM platforms, content creation, or just making life a little easier, these companies are setting the bar higher every day.

 

Inspired by these incredible startups making their mark in the tech industry? Click here to explore our current Incubator startups. 


Ready to embark on your journey to revolutionize the tech landscape? Apply to our Incubator and be a part of the next wave of tech innovation. 

Second chance hiring: A win-win strategy for startups and talent

Startups, here’s how you can fill talent gaps and foster inclusivity in the workplace with Spotwork


In the startup ecosystem, we can all unanimously nod our heads to one truth: there’s just not enough talent to go around. 

Finding talent is fundamental to startup growth, yet many startups are missing out on qualified talent without realizing it. A staffing marketplace and workforce management solution, DMZ Innisfil startup Spotwork connects companies to reliable and qualified talent. By helping startups think outside the box, Spotwork can help your company champion diversity and inclusion while filling crucial talent gaps.  

Due to workplace bias, individuals who are justice-involved have historically been an underserved talent pool. However, criminal records can often result from petty offences and are not always an accurate reflection of a candidate’s ability to deliver. This can include traffic violations, disorderly conduct and narcotics — all non-violent crimes that were done without the intention to harm a person or property. 

Today, many Canadian companies remain unwilling to hire people with a record, even if they have the skills and qualifications for the position. The result? We’re overlooking roughly four million Canadians who have a record.

We sat down with the Co-Founders of Spotwork, Darren Perlman and Daniel Copeland, to learn more about how they provide second chances, how startups can tap into overlooked talent pools and the benefits of seeking out these candidates. Here’s what they had to say:

Let’s address the stigma around hiring people who are justice-involved. What biases and misconceptions exist, and why are they harmful to companies and talent?


“The prejudices that arise from hiring justice-involved individuals typically stem from misconceptions linking their past actions to current behaviour. This is harmful to not only the company but the applicant as well, as it undermines their potential for rehabilitation and growth. 

By embracing better hiring practices that are more inclusive to a diverse audience, companies can unlock a hidden pool of skilled individuals seeking a second chance.” 

Tell me about the moment that made you realize the need for Spotwork. What inspired you to create a platform?

“We noticed how our previous employers faced significant difficulties recruiting and managing a large workforce. Additionally, we saw a lack of support for marginalized Canadians to find meaningful work opportunities. This led us to create a solution that provides employers with a labour pool that fills in-demand frontline jobs.” 

How does Spotwork differentiate itself from traditional hiring solutions, and what inspired you to focus on connecting businesses with talent who have a history with the law?

“Unlike traditional staffing methods, which are usually biased, expensive and time-consuming, Spotwork is a cost-effective solution with cutting-edge technology and a streamlined hiring process. Our platform facilitates seamless matchmaking between skilled individuals and businesses. 

We offer a wide range of employment options, understanding the importance of flexibility in building a tailored workforce. Unlike agencies specializing in specific roles, our platform accommodates workers from diverse industries, career stages and skill levels to ensure a strong fit for the talent and business.”

For startups that may be on the fence about giving individuals a second chance, what would you say to them?

“These individuals bring unique perspectives, resilience and a strong desire for redemption to the workplace. Providing such employment opportunities fosters inclusivity, demonstrates corporate responsibility, supports rehabilitation and, above all else, creates a positive societal impact.”

Startups should consider expanding their horizons by hiring justice-involved individuals — it offers a chance for talent diversification, social impact and breaking the cycle of reoffending.” 

What steps are taken to ensure a fair and inclusive hiring process on Spotwork? And how can a startup use Spotwork to start the hiring process?

“Our platform has been designed with fairness and impartiality in mind. It utilizes algorithms that select the best candidates for job opportunities without bias. 

When using Spotwork as a startup, the hiring process is simple. All you need to do is create a company profile, and in just a few easy steps, you can post various job openings and view a vast pool of potential candidates to join you in your success.”

What’s the broader impact Spotwork envisions when fostering diversity and inclusion within the workforce? How do you see this benefiting startups and talent in the long run?


“Spotwork has a vision of creating a world where everyone has an equal opportunity in the workforce, regardless of race, age, gender identity or background. By promoting diverse and inclusive workplace environments, startups and talent benefit as it expands talent pools, guarantees equal opportunities, and demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, ultimately attracting top talent.”

Any success stories you’d like to point to?


“2nd Time Around Tires operates one of the largest winter tire operations in Etobicoke and has successfully employed six workers through Spotwork’s Second Chances Program. 

Despite initial skepticism, hiring manager Rob Altbaum praised Spotwork for the effectiveness of its program and the quality of its workers, who showed genuine enthusiasm and commitment to their roles. He noted, ‘The workers who were coming out wanted to be there. This was more than just a job for them — it was an opportunity to establish a career.’”

Ready to transform your startup’s workforce and champion inclusivity? Click here to explore Spotwork today and connect with their diverse community of dedicated and talented workers.

 

If you’re inspired to follow in Spotwork’s footsteps, check out how DMZ can support your business to the next level. Incubator applications for the March 2024 cohort are now open. Apply here. 

Introducing DMZ’s new cohort of Incubator startups

Out of hundreds of applications from around the world, we’ve hand-selected 13 tech startups to join us for the next 18 months.

Some highlights of this cohort include:

  • Representation from diverse verticals: FinTech, EnterpriseTech, GovTech, Smart Automation and more
  • More than 30% of companies are women-founded and over 30% Black-founded
  • AI-enabled technology comprises over half of this cohort
  • Startups from Peru, Nigeria, Iran, India, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada
  • A new selection process called Deep Dive sessions – where subject-matter experts undergo rigorous assessments with startup founders to evaluate each company’s focal areas, ensuring top-tier selection.

Throughout the program, startups will receive comprehensive support to execute their go-to-market strategy, acquire lighthouse customers, gain media exposure, explore global expansion, prepare for the next round of funding and much more. DMZ will be with them every step of the way, giving them hands-on coaching, access to our world-class community, professional services, business savings and more.  

Just when we thought we had seen the best of the best, our newest cohort has seriously raised the bar, leaving us in awe of their track records and potential. 

Keep reading and join us in extending a big DMZ welcome to Cohort 6!

Cleanster logo
On a mission to make quality cleaning services more accessible, Cleanster connects property managers and homeowners with professional cleaners. Their solution matches users with locally vetted service providers to clean their spaces at an affordable price and integrates with leading property management software for users to manage their property care operations.

Flowjin logo
Flowjin is an AI-powered tool that empowers content creators and businesses with the tools to drive social media growth. With Flowjin, users can easily identify high-performing content and quickly create customizable clips for social media, ensuring users maximize content and save time.

Handy.ai logo
Handy.ai is an intelligent SaaS platform that provides AI-powered virtual specialists to drive customer and employee success. Offering tailored solutions to clients, Handy.ai can be leveraged for customer success, employee engagement and partner success.

Hilo logo
HILO is at the forefront of revolutionizing Customer Experience (CX) in buildings with a one-stop, user-configured, personalized, and AI-enabled platform to improve and simplify people’s lives where they work and live. HILO empowers building operators to retain current tenants, attract new ones and streamline operations.

Loopify logo
Loopify360 is an all-in-one marketing and sales hub for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering a range of solutions and tools designed to find and retain customers. Their AI-powered marketing platform provides tailored solutions, delivering optimal return on investment.

PoliTraq logo
PoliTraQ combines stakeholder profiles, meeting notes and briefing materials into a single, all-in-one advocacy management system. Their solution helps public affairs professionals implement and manage advocacy campaigns, monitor legislation and track advocacy impact.

ReInvest Wealth logo
ReInvestWealth offers a cost-effective solution for small business accounting needs. Their professionally trained AI accountant provides daily bookkeeping and expert financial advice, addressing common pain points like slow processing and overlooked tax refunds. 

ShipVista logo
ShipVista streamlines multi-channel order management and fulfillment for online retailers. By offering real-time carrier rates, automated label printing, and integration with multiple carriers, it saves time and money while enhancing sales.

Sugar security logo
Sugar Security makes advanced cybersecurity testing easy and affordable for small to mid-sized businesses. Through their cloud-based software, Sugar Security empowers businesses to identify security vulnerabilities in their organizations through enhanced vulnerability scanning.

Syzl logo
Syzl is revolutionizing the food industry by transforming idle commercial kitchens into bustling hubs for culinary entrepreneurs. Their platform enables food makers to find compliant, safe and flexible workspaces and empowers kitchen owners to leverage unused stations to earn extra revenue.

Vidboard.ai logo
VidBoard simplifies video production by creating AI-enabled avatar models. Their platform offers a cost-effective and scalable solution, eliminating the need for studio visits, multiple professionals, equipment and third-party costs.

Zagitas logo
Zagitas serves as a digital assistant in the office. Their solution automates manual business processes through the integration of AI, robotic process automation, chatbots and business intelligence technologies.


Want to join the next cohort of changemakers? DMZ is now accepting applications for its March 2024 cohort. Apply here. 

 

 

 

Beyond traditional therapy: new avenues for mental well-being

As we bid farewell to summer days, let’s keep in mind that the changing seasons can often bring a subtle shift in our emotions, making it all the more important to seek mental health support when needed.

In light of World Mental Health Day, DMZ wanted to shine a light on how the landscape of mental health care is evolving rapidly, thanks to innovative startups like Blue Guardian, Layla and OPTT Health.

These DMZ alumni are at the forefront of a transformative wave that’s reshaping the way we address mental well-being. Here’s what they shared with us about the future of mental well-being support.

Blue Guardian

As mental health technology evolves, how do you envision the future landscape of mental well-being support?

In the future, AI-driven systems will offer personalized, accessible, and continuous mental well-being support by analyzing individual mental health data, enabling early interventions, therapeutic conversations, and aiding clinicians in making faster, more accurate decisions for a broader population.

How does Blue Guardian’s emotional analysis identify potentially harmful language in communication on children’s devices?

Blue Guardian employs an innovative approach to safeguard children’s emotional well-being in their digital interactions. Its advanced AI algorithms are specifically designed to detect potential mental health cues and signs of emotional distress in their language. When concerning language is identified, Blue Guardian engages children through a chatbot interface, encouraging them to share their feelings and emotional state in a non-intrusive manner. The chatbot then compiles a report for mental health professionals, enabling early intervention and support, ultimately enhancing children’s emotional well-being in the digital age.

How does Blue Guardian empower parents to be more in tune with the mental health of their children?

A multifaceted support system; through real-time alerts, parents receive timely notifications when potentially concerning language or emotional distress is detected in their child’s digital interactions, allowing for immediate intervention. The system’s detailed reports offer a comprehensive overview of their child’s emotional state, enabling parents to identify patterns and areas of concern.

 

Layla


As mental health technology evolves, how do you envision the future landscape of mental well-being support? 

We envision a future of highly personalized and integrated healthcare, including mental health, using advanced platforms to improve accessibility, timeliness, and specialization. Data-driven technologies will provide valuable insights for personalized mental health journeys and treatment plans. Ethical AI may enhance backend operations and potentially augment mental health care, but concerns about efficacy and patient safety remain in this evolving field.

How does Layla ensure clients receive effective and personalized care from its therapists throughout their therapeutic journey?

Layla Care prioritizes client-centric mental health services by partnering with skilled, diverse therapists. Our therapists speak 27 languages, 35% are BIPOC, and 27% specialize in LGBTQ2S+ issues. With an average of 10 years of experience, they can cover up to 35 primary concerns. Our selection process ensures the highest standards, with only 25% of applicants accepted. Each client is assigned a dedicated Care Coordinator for support throughout their journey.

How does Layla’s approach to therapist-client matching foster a strong bond between clients and therapists, and what specific factors are taken into account during this process?

When matching clients with therapists, we consider clinical, logistical, and interpersonal fit. Interpersonal factors greatly impact therapy success, with over 70% relying on them. Many of our clients prefer matches based on personal identifiers like gender, language, race, disability, or LGBTQ2+ status.

OPTT

OPTT, a presenting company at the 2022 OBIO Investment Summit, selected for Morgan Stanley's Multicultural Innovation Lab — OBIO - Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization

As mental health technology evolves, how do you envision the future landscape of mental well-being support? 

Current mental healthcare faces scalability issues due to a shortage of clinicians. While machines can’t replace human connection, technology can enhance clinicians’ abilities, offering curated content for patient self-learning and generating initial responses. Mental health technology can also help determine individual care needs, reducing wait times for less intensive resources and prioritizing care appropriately.

How does OPTT empower clinicians to deliver high-quality mental health care in a flexible and accessible manner?

OPTT offers two cutting-edge products for data-driven patient care. The first is structured CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) content that empowers patients to engage at their own pace, while clinicians provide personalized feedback on assignments. This approach enables clinicians to assist 3-4 patients per hour, significantly boosting their capacity.

The second product leverages AI/ML algorithms to evaluate patient mental status, predict care adherence with 70% accuracy (four weeks in advance) and suggest the most appropriate care path. These algorithms also highlight relevant patient work, allowing clinicians to review and modify feedback efficiently. As a result, clinicians can spend just 10-15 minutes per patient while upholding the highest standards of care quality.

Can you discuss the significance of continuous remote monitoring in maintaining and improving patients’ mental health over time, and how OPTT’s tool facilitate this process? 

When devising a long-term care plan, the primary consideration is enabling symptom monitoring outside of clinical settings, akin to how a glucometer aids diabetic patients. That is what we have been trying to do with our remote monitoring algorithms; to remotely monitor patients’ mental status and predict and prevent the next episode before it happens, adopting a proactive rather than a reactive approach. 

In crafting these solutions, user-friendliness is paramount. The most effective technologies are either entirely passive or require minimal effort from the user. This is why we’re integrating our natural language processing algorithm with other indicators, such as voice biomarkers and sleep and activity patterns gathered by devices like Fitbits. This amalgamation aids in comprehensive remote mental status evaluation. While our expertise lies in natural language processing algorithms, we actively collaborate with other tech innovators to enable us to integrate their advancements into our assessment tools, aiming for a holistic, remote understanding of a patient’s mental well-being.

We hope you’re as inspired as we are from seeing so many companies like Blue Guardian, Layla and OPTT Heath bringing tech and innovation to the field of mental health support. Keep up with how our other tech startups are solving unique challenges by subscribing to our TechTalk newsletter here.

Unlocking DMZ’s benefits, from a $10K entry grant and travel subsidies to free legal support

As a #1 ranked incubator globally, DMZ has a lot to offer, and we pride ourselves on not only talking the talk but also walking the walk. We support the most promising and high-impact tech entrepreneurs who have what it takes to scale their businesses. But don’t get it twisted; we know it takes two to tango.

That’s why startups that join DMZ’s Incubator receive world-class programming and services. To us, that means real, tangible support. 

To start, startups accepted into our Incubator program receive a $10,000 entry grant to help kick-start their journey with us. While we know $10,000 can help with product development, a targeted marketing campaign, training and development or new infrastructure, we can also appreciate that $10,000 is a drop in the bucket. 

Beyond DMZ’s entry grant, startups receive personalized support with customer acquisition and fundraising, unlimited 1 on 1 coaching sessions from our Experts-in-Residence, pro-bono professional services, exclusive pitch competitions, access to the Student Work Placement Program, grant research and writing, startup perks and discounts valued at over $1 million, help with SR&ED tax incentives, free financial plan model custom built by a CFO, free UX design support,  24/7 office space and full-service amenities… the list goes on and on. 

So, how do all these program perks support startups with expenses, and —more importantly — how have they empowered startups to level up? We thought you’d never ask. 

Here are just a few ways DMZ’s Incubator can help your startup’s bottom line. 

Explore new markets without breaking the bank.  

Building a thriving business requires startups to go global, and DMZ helps founders cover travel costs for opportunities abroad through Mitacs Entrepreneur International. We’re committed to inspiring our founders to explore untapped markets and have been thrilled to see founders delve into opportunities abroad.

SoftDrive (Incubator ‘22) received $15,000 to travel to London, New York City, Japan and San Francisco to tap into international markets, meet with VCs, secure customers and attend global conferences. 

Lightster (Incubator ‘23) received $5,000 to travel to London to attend Techspo London and successfully secured a sales-qualified lead.

 

Fuel your research and level up your product. 

Strengthen your startup’s innovation capabilities through the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship. As a Mitacs partner, DMZ supports founders with the program to harness cutting-edge research to commercialize new products and gain a competitive edge in the market.  

Charmy Pet (Incubator ‘22) received $9,000 to research the health benefits of traditional Chinese herbs for pets, which led to the successful commercialization of a new product line available in over 450 specialty pet stores across Canada today.

 

Access essential legal services from day one. 

DMZ’s Startup Legal Support gives founders fully subsidized in-house legal services. We know how crucial legal support is for early-stage founders, which is why startups who come to DMZ don’t need to worry about cutting corners and instead can have legal processes in place from the get-go. 

To date, Startup Legal Support has saved founders over $600,000 in legal fees, helping them with legal matters, including corporate cleanups, intellectual property, stock option plans, term sheet reviews, share sales, terms of use, privacy policies, service agreements, customer contracts and more.

SoftDrive (Incubator ‘22) was able to save over $35,000 in legal fees.

XpertVR (Incubator ‘22) was able to save over $28,000 in legal fees.

Leasey (Incubator ‘24) was able to save over $25,000 in legal fees.

 

Save on startup must-haves.

DMZ’s perks and benefits provide discounts and fully subsidized tools for founders to save money on the essentials. From founder mental health, AWS Credits, financial services and more, DMZ startups receive perks from 170+ service providers worth over $1 million in business savings. 

Sitemax (Incubator ‘25) received $25,000 in AWS credits, allowing them to re-allocate resources to hire a new Business Development Representative for their team.  

Kaitongo (Incubator ‘24) received $25,000 in AWS credits, allowing them to make product enhancements.

Take part in exclusive pitch competitions. 

DMZ Incubator startups have the opportunity to participate in exclusive startup pitch competitions for the chance to showcase their business and secure grant funding. DMZ handed out $65,000 in grant funding to Incubator startups this summer.  

Chexy (Incubator ‘24) received $50,000 in funding, which helped them improve customer experience and expand their landlord offerings. 

Formaloo (Incubator ‘24) received $15,000 in funding to support their continued expansion with the new release of Formaloo 3.0.


Subsidize your team’s wages. 

Members of DMZ’s Incubator program get access to the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, which allows startups to subsidize student wages.

Lightster (Incubator ‘23) was able to subsidize $20,000 in wages, which covered 3 student placements, one of which did two terms. 

Want to learn more about how DMZ’s Incubator can help your startup through coaching, mentorship, programming and benefits? Head to dmz.to/Incubator to learn more and apply today. 

Italia360: Supporting first-generation and Italian student entrepreneurs

Congratulazioni to the first cohort of participants of DMZ’s Italia360 program; what a ride it’s been!

Italia360 is an 8-week part-time incubation program that helps first-generation and Italian heritage student entrepreneurs create innovative and disruptive businesses. The program taught students how to develop and market their ideas with the help of  mentors and provided them the opportunity to work with other young innovators.

Made possible by the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association Of Toronto (CIBPA), students had the opportunity to participate in exclusive workshops conducted by CIBPA mentors, engage with other leading startups and experts from across Canada, connect with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zone Network and receive one-on-one coaching from DMZ experts. 

The excitement doesn’t end there. In addition to gaining entrepreneurial tools for success, the winning startup also received an all-inclusive 3-day trip to Italy to connect with their Italian roots and tour the local businesses of CIBPA.

DMZ was floored by the quality of startups from Italia360; a huge congratulations goes out to all participants.


Fuori

Founded by Toronto Metropolitan’s very own Sofia Beraldo, Fuori is a trailblazing fashion brand committed to revolutionizing the activewear industry towards sustainability. Its approach centers on whole-garment knitting and the utilization of natural fibers, diverging from the prevalent reliance on synthetic plastics that dominate the market today.

With her trip to Italy, Sofia plans to explore the region of Prado, which is known as a textile hub responsible for 15% of all global textile recycling. During her visit, she hopes to establish partnerships that will enable her to send cherished and well-worn garments for recycling.

“I can’t say enough about Italia360. From the advisors we’ve met, the sessions that we’ve been able to take part in, the network of entrepreneurs who have the same aspirations — it’s all been incredibly rewarding,” said Sofia.  


Junily

Our panel of judges was so impressed with the caliber of startups, that they also decided to give an award to the runner-up.

Founded by Dmitry Baleshev, a BComm student at Ted Rogers School of Management, Junily works to guide students toward their ideal career path and match them with Canadian education institutions. 

“Italia360 has provided tremendous support, guiding us from ideation to the realization of our business model. Having mentors by our side was a great source of motivation,” said Dmitry.

The inaugural cohort of Italia360 has every reason to feel accomplished for their dedicated efforts this summer. Embodying the true Italian spirit, wishing Buon Viaggio (safe travels) to Sofia! 

Looking to join similar DMZ programming in 2024? Subscribe to our TechTalk newsletter and stay informed on program applications here. Until then, we invite you to check out DMZ Masterclass to master your business skills at dmz.to/masterclass. 

 

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