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[$15K in Seed Funding Awarded to OCAD U Students and Alumni to launch and grow their creative businesses](/markdownify/node/2862) April 3, 2023 # $15K in Seed Funding Awarded to OCAD U Students and Alumni to launch and grow their creative businesses ![FinalistsAndJury_2023](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2024-11/FinalistsAndJury_2023.png.webp?itok=MnWJxqCW) rgb(255,255,255) Now in its third year, the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2023 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs: - **$5,000 First Place Dobson Entrepreneurial Excellence Prize:** [Fraymer](https://fraymer.com/) (Demilade Olaleye) is a simple web app that helps creators make animated content easily without the need for any motion design experience. - **$4,000 Second Place:** [NimiMinds Mindfulness Kit](https://www.instagram.com/nimiminds/) (Liza Levitin and Ilan Levitin) is a child-focused, fun, customizable set of mindful books and cards. - **$3,000 Third Place:** [The Creative Kids](https://thecreativekids.xyz/) (Ajay Woolery) is a platform, community, and source for creative youth. - **$2,000 Honorable Mention:** [Chlos](https://www.instagram.com/chlos____/) (Chloe Lorenzo) is a styling + creative direction consulting agency and garment rental shop, specifically for creative productions. - **$1,000 Ample Labs Prize for a business tackling a social problem:** [Vulnerably Speaking](https://www.instagram.com/higherselfperception/) (Lotus Tsang) is a set of prompt cards that have been designed to facilitate self-exploration, deepen relationships, or spark engaging conversations. These individuals were selected by our jury of experts: Dr. Alia Weston, Associate Professor of Creative and Business Enterprise at OCAD University; Daniel Francavilla, Marketing Advisor, Brand Strategist, & founder of Now Impact Studio and ACCESS; Jaymin Luces-Mendes, founder of Toni Marlow Clothing, and Noire Now; Shilbee Dhalla-Kim, coach for changemakers, entrepreneurs and community builders; and Steven Lui, Investment Associate at Front Row Ventures. We would also like to shout out the other finalists for this year’s seed fund: - [ARCH ACCESSORIES](https://www.instagram.com/archaccessories_/) (Lily Li and Hussain Butt) specializes in prototyping and manufacturing custom hardware and trims. - [Birthed by Bracy](https://www.instagram.com/birthedbybracy/) (Bracy Appeikumoh) is an alternative lifestyle brand that mixes the sweet and the vicious. After all, you can't spell cute without C-U-T. - [Em Moor Documentation](https://www.instagram.com/emmoordocumentation/) (Em Moor) captures professional images of gallery exhibitions and artworks. - LeapoN (Niranjan Kaur and Nikhil Pawar) is the one-stop solution for salon and spa businesses to enhance customer experience and flourish. - [Luce Tooth Tattoos](https://www.lucetooth.ca/) (Luce Ruttan) is a tattooer committed to offering an inclusive studio and empowering experience. Thank you to our supporters for making this opportunity possible: - RBC Emerging Artist Project - The John Dobson Foundation - OCAD U alumni and Ample Labs co-founders, CG Chen and Geordie Graham Learn more about the CEAD at: [www.ocadu.ca/cead](http://www.ocadu.ca/cead) ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) [### OCAD U grad Harry Zhao wins 2026 InterAccess Media Arts Prize The prize is awarded annually to a graduating student whose work exhibits excellence and innovation in new media practice. October 7, 2026 ](/news/ocad-u-grad-harry-zhao-wins-2026-interaccess-media-arts-prize) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Curators OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create the CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. One (1) emerging Curator will receive $1,700 to curate a single channel, projection-based screening program of work from the OCAD U community. The Projections Program will be displayed at the CDCC for six-weeks in March 2027. September 27, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-curators)