Moncton, N.B – Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024 |  Yesterday, Startup Canada announced the winner of the Moncton  “Pop-up Pitch” Competition, the regional qualifier for the 2024 Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale. Pitching in front of the in-person audience of Startup Canada Tour’s most recent stop in Moncton, founder Thierry Lindor of Happly.ai was named the first-place winner – taking home $3,000 cash and a guaranteed slot in the October 30th Grand Finale. Ben Collings Mackay of CM Marine Safety Equipment won the People’s Choice Award and took home a $1,000 cash prize.

Happly.ai is a tech platform that leverages AI to help individuals and organizations match, apply and qualify for funding based on their unique profiles.

“Pitching at the Startup Canada Tour has been exquisite,” said Thierry. “I think it’s something that every entrepreneur should do to get out of their comfort zone because eventually, being an entrepreneur is about taking risks.”

CM Marine Safety Equipment won the audience’s hearts. Pitched by Ben Collings Mackay, a fourth generation lobster fisherman in the Atlantic region, the business aims to address the challenges of safety in the commercial fishing industry by developing a life jacket tailored to fishermen.

“The pitch competition was definitely worth it,” said Ben, who expressed gratitude at having won a prize that would go towards his project.

On October 30th, in Kitchener-Waterloo, Thierry Lindor will compete live against nine other finalists from across Canada for a $30,000 cash prize. The Grand Finale of the 2024 Startup Global Pitch Competition will be available to watch live virtually and in-person through Startup Canada Tour registration.