Now in its fourth year, OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs: 

 

  • $6,000 First Place  
    Mufaro Mukoki/Mukoki Lab (Mufaro Mukoki), a modern womenswear fashion studio. 
     
  • $5,000 Second Place 
    Matchwise (Kimathi Bwomono), a mobile app designed to facilitate intergenerational connections. 
     
  • $4,000 Third Place 

Student Must-Stash (Felipe and Santiago Bohorquez-Alvarez), a simple storage that helps newcomers navigate change. 

 

  • $3,000 Honorable Mention 

DoubleTake Puzzles (Iris Elliott), double-sided wooden jigsaw puzzles with a twist. 
 

  • $1,000 Ample Labs Prize for a business tackling a social problem:  
    Matchwise (Kimathi Bwomono), a mobile app designed to facilitate intergenerational connections. 

 

These individuals were selected by our jury of experts: Dr. Alia Weston, Associate Professor of Creative and Business Enterprise at OCAD University; Charlene McFarlane, Founder of The New ROR; Jaymin Luces-Mendes, founder of Toni Marlow Clothing, and Noire Now; Kimani Peter, founder of LOUD.army; and Tammy Yiu Coyne, co-founder and CEO of Partial. 

 

We would also like to shout out the other finalists for this year’s Seed Fund: 

  • XING STUDIOS (Aimee Wu) is a sustainable fashion label centering heritage, healing, circularity and creative reimagination. 
  • The Good Citizen Studio (Katherine Valenzuela) explores the power of image to create meaningful change.` 
  • CEREMONY (Katie Sullivan): Experiments in collaboration. Research in creativity. 
  • QUANTUM FOOTWEAR (Lily Li) utilizes 3D printing technology to create sustainable and affordable footwear for all. 
  • Board (MURATHAN BILIKTU) - Handpicked Local Events: Join, host, and connect with creative locals 
  • Gray Objects By V.I.A (Vincent I. Akinbode) is an atelier store for collectors. We transform space via contemporary product design. 

 

This year, all ten finalists will receive 1-on-1 mentorship to help them further develop their business idea. 

 

Learn more about the CEAD at: www.ocadu.ca/cead  

 

Other Recent News

Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2025 Call for Artists

Partial and OCAD U’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. Selected artists will be given complimentary 2 year Pro Accounts ($240 value) on Partial and permanent inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial to display their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals.

2026 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists

Sankofa Square and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Artists are invited to submit artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2026.

Call for OCAD U Vendors – Bamtori Studio JingleBam Market

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is partnering with Bamtori Studio, a Toronto-based creative design and lifestyle brand that celebrates local and emerging artists by hosting community art markets in the GTA. A small, curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni will be invited to share an OCAD U table to sell products and artworks as part of Bamtori Studio’s JingleBam Market.