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OCAD University

Announcing the recipients of the 2024 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs

April 1, 2024
Winners, clockwise from top left: Mufaro Mukoki, Kimathi Bwomono, Iris Elliott, Felipe and Santiago Bohorquez-Alvarez.

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