How these student entrepreneurs turned big ideas into $50K at Basecamp Demo Day.
After an intense summer of building, testing and refining, Basecamp wrapped up with a packed Demo Day at DMZ’s HQ. More than 200 members of our community came out to watch 10 student founders pitch for $50,000+ in grants.
Backed by eight weeks of intense mentorship and startup bootcamp training over the summer, these students gained the tools and confidence to test ideas, adapt quickly and build with purpose. Their final pitches showed how Canada’s next generation of innovators are ready to disrupt industries.
Beyond the Demo Day itself, this year was also a milestone for Basecamp. We welcomed 66 student founders, our largest group yet, from a record 160 applications. The program went global as well, with students joining from the University of Doha for Science and Technology in Qatar and Japan, through support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It was our most ambitious summer yet and a reminder of the drive student founders bring when given the chance to build, test and launch their ideas.
Meet the visionary Basecamp startups building solutions that matter:
Co-founded by Jason Ramsay and Joshua Daniel, Nodalli secured $20,000 for its AI-driven platform that finds 100+ relevant professionals and crafts personalized connection requests, cutting networking prep time by 99%.
Founded by Shahkir Alkozai, VolTrack received $15,000 for its VHF-powered solution that tracks stolen vehicles even when GPS fails, helping owners recover their cars faster.
Ribenn, founded by Kalid Musse, received $10,000 to expand its modular infrastructure hubs that provide e-bike couriers with secure parking, fast charging, and same-day repairs.
VetsBridge, founded by Takane Hosoyama, received $5,000 for its platform that streamlines vet-pet owner communication through visual tools that make consultations faster and clearer.
DMZ Basecamp’s first-ever Professional Development grant of $1,000 was awarded to Joshua Lyttle. Created to support the continued growth of Basecamp founders, this inaugural grant celebrates his commitment to building innovative solutions and recognizes his potential to make a meaningful impact in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
From AI to urban mobility, this cohort showed that Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs is already tackling big challenges with bold solutions.
These founders didn't just learn theory. They built real products, tested them with customers, and developed the skills to grow sustainable businesses. Now they have what it takes to expand their reach and create genuine change in their industries.
Special thanks to the Embark Student Foundation and the George & Helen Vari Foundation for supporting the Basecamp program. Their contributions have helped emerging entrepreneurs build the skills and confidence to succeed.
