OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is proud to award $18,000 in support of OCAD University's creative entrepreneurs through the 2026 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs. Now in its sixth year, the Seed Fund provides vital early‑stage support to students and recent alumni as they develop, validate, and grow their creative business ideas.
This year, more than 30 applicants took part in a rigorous review and validation process. Finalists were also invited to participate in a half‑day roundtable mentorship program, gaining hands‑on guidance from industry professionals while learning alongside their peers.
Recipients of the 2026 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs:
$6,000 | First Prize
Investie (Lily Li and Kamil Jolasun)
A financial education platform that helps people build money confidence by getting paid to learn about personal finance.
$5,000 | Second Prize
Vayence Inc. (Marzuq Vohra and Vienna Doria)
An innovative venture developing a comforting, tactile product, a hug when you need it, designed to support emotional wellbeing.
$4,000 | Third Prize
Myselfment (Sara Rashighi and Amin Zeinalizadeh)
A self‑development brand creating practical tools for personal growth, beginning with the
Self Journey card deck, designed to help individuals navigate life transitions such as breakups, graduations, layoffs, and relocations with confidence.
$2,000 | Brampton Arts Organization Award
Chlos (Chloe Lorenzo)
A garment and accessory rental business supporting creatives with flexible, accessible fashion solutions.
$1,000 | Ample Labs Award
I CAN’T HEAR YOU (Emily Akerman and Roberto Gonzales Sosa
)A social enterprise that uses illustrated zines, posters, captioned videos, and ASL interpreters to transform real Deaf experiences into art that teaches empathy and builds inclusive spaces.
Jury:
Recipients were selected by a jury of industry professionals with expertise spanning design, media, entrepreneurship, and social impact:
- Ahmad El Sarraff, Founder & CEO of A77; multidisciplinary designer, consultant, and strategist with a cross‑sector approach to innovation, research, and youth‑led impact
- Scott Nihill, Development producer and creative strategist; founder of Embreate, with experience across educational media, immersive tech, and early‑stage creative ventures
- Tammy Yiu Coyne, Co‑founder of Partial; entrepreneur and designer supporting emerging artists through innovative rental and purchase models
Mentorship Roundtable:
As part of the 2026 Seed Fund, finalists participated in a half‑day mentorship roundtable with professionals across branding, marketing, entrepreneurship, technology, and social impact:
- Christine Lieu‑Guzauskas, Founder of CL Designs and host of the Brand Party Podcast
- Daniel Francavilla, Marketing strategist, serial founder, and OCAD U professor
- Jaymin Luces‑Mendes, Founder of Toni Marlow Clothing; expert in business strategy and product management
- Serena Peruzzo, Technologist and entrepreneur; co‑founder of 1RG
- Shilbee Dhalla‑Kim, Passion coach and educator supporting changemakers and social enterprises
Finalists received tailored feedback, peer learning opportunities, and practical insights to support the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey.
CEAD extends its sincere thanks to the RBC Foundation, Brampton Arts Organization, Ample Labs, and the John Dobson Foundation for their continued support of creative entrepreneurship at OCAD University.
