Over $25,000 awarded by the 2025 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs in support of OCAD U businesses!

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is thrilled to award over $25,000 in support OCAD University’s creative entrepreneurs through the 2025 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs. Now in its fifth year, the Seed Fund is an essential opportunity for emerging creative entrepreneurs to access vital early support for their business ideas. More than 50 entities applied this year, engaging in a rigorous validation and review process. 
 
“Over the last five years we've seen the positive impact of fostering OCAD U's entrepreneurship ecosystem through the Seed Fund - year-over-year we are impressed by the diversity of the business launched by OCAD students and alumni, and their dedication to bringing these ventures to life,” says Alexandra Hong the CEAD’s Program Lead for Creative Entrepreneurship. 
 
“The fund is more than financial support, it empowers our students and alumni by equipping them with skills, resources, and mentorship to develop successful businesses.”  

The recipients of the 2025 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs are:

• $7,000 First Place  
  Horizon Rescue (Jessica Sanchez Martinez, Daner Carita, and Lester Pinlac) is revolutionizing water safety with advanced aerial rescue drones that detect and assist people in distress faster and more efficiently than traditional methods. 
   
• $6,000 Second Place (tie) 
  HomeShare Studio (Kyle Yang) connects OCAD U students with senior homeowners to create affordable housing solutions through creative skill exchanges and intergenerational companionship. 
   

• $6,000 Second Place (tie)

  Siren's Muse (Reem Rizk) elevates emerging voices through independent publishing. 
   

• $3,000 Honourable Mention 
  Myselfment (Sara Rashighi and Amin Zeinalizadeh) creates innovative self-development tools, such as the Self Journey card deck designed to help individuals navigate life transitions such as layoffs, breakups, graduations, and relocations more smoothly and confidently. 
   
• $2,000 Brampton Arts Organization Prize for a business with a connection to Brampton 
  CNPT (Brandon (Yunxiang) Siow)  is a 3D printing-focused product design studio that combines rapid prototyping, sustainable manufacturing, and innovative design to create products that cater to  consumers seeking unique and functional everyday items. 
   
• $1,000 Ample Labs Prize for a business tackling a social problem:  
  Horizon Rescue (Jessica Sanchez Martinez, Daner Carita, and Lester Pinlac) is revolutionizing water safety with advanced aerial rescue drones that detect and assist people in distress faster and more efficiently than traditional methods. 
   
   

In addition, the following finalists received $400 to support their continued business development:

• The Living Lab (Abby Adjekum) is a community-driven hydroponic farm that grows fresh, locally sourced produce using sustainable, land-independent methods.
• XDAETA (Ailin Dong, Shuyu Liu, Yunni Yao) is a 3D-printed knitwear fashion brand that merges technology, design, and digital aesthetics to create futuristic, wearable art.
• PILLAR (Eric Han) is a unisex ready-to-wear fashion label that story-tells through Western heritage garments and East Asian narratives.
• Soleia Learning (Leia Kook-Chun) is a children’s education company, creating learning resources for kids.
• Workshop Mar (Mary Fisher) is a home storage and organization brand that offers unique, high-quality bent and welded products made in Toronto, Canada.
• HIT Photography (Hang In There Photography) (Youngman Choi) bridges the gap for artists by providing quality documentation services, helping them showcase their work clearly and affordably. 

The recipients were selected by our jury of experts: Ahmad El Sarraff, founder and CEO of A77; Stéphanie Guico, Lead of Operations at Cap Finance Social Finance Fund; and Tammy Yiu Coyne, co-founder and CEO of Partial.

As part of this year’s Seed Fund, the finalists were invited to participate in a half-day roundtable mentorship program with mentors: Andrea Rodriguez, a creative designer and mural artist; Daniel Francavilla, a marketing advisor, strategist, and founder; Jaymin Luces- Mendes, an entrepreneur and expert in business strategy and product management; Serena Peruzzo, a technologist and entrepreneur; and Shilbee Dhalla-Kim, an entrepreneur and passion coach who supports changemakers.

The finalists were given the opportunity to receive mentorship from each of these experts and learn from their peers. 

We would additionally like to thank the RBC Foundation, Ample Labs, Brampton Arts Organization, and the John Dobson Foundation for their support.

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