Ontario Region – September 16, 2020 |Today, the winners of the Ontario Canadian Export Challenge Pitch Competitions for the startup and scale-up categories were announced. WeavAir was named the winner of the Ontario CXC Pitch Competition for the startup category, taking home $2,500. The scale-up category winner, Braze Mobility, left with $5,000. Both businesses will have the opportunity to compete head-to-head against the other regional finalists for the grand prize, and the national title!
Toronto-based business WeavAir, headed by CEO Natalia Mykhaylova, is working to revolutionize the air monitoring industry. Their end-to-end high accuracy HVAC monitoring solution measures 22 different metrics with 95%+ accuracy – drastically improving safety and reducing maintenance costs.
“CXC2020 was an amazing experience that helped us build connections and discover new opportunities,” said Natalia Mykhaylova, CEO of WeavAir. “The team went above and beyond to make the event engaging and highly professional”
Based in Toronto, Braze Mobility is redefining the standards of wheelchair safety. Braze Mobility, headed by CEO Pooja Viswanathan, launched the world’s first blind spot sensor system for wheelchairs that increase driver awareness and safety by providing feedback on the location and proximity of obstacles through customizable, multimodal alerts.
“The Canadian Export Challenge was a great experience! I enjoyed all the pitches and sessions, and the event was really well-organized, which can be challenging to achieve in a virtual format,” said Pooja Viswanathan, CEO of Braze Mobility. “I really look forward to receiving support from the organizers and partners to help Braze Mobility with our export strategy so we can become a global company and achieve our mission of creating a more accessible world.”
“WeavAir and Braze Mobility provide modern-day solutions to common problems. Not only will Canadians benefit from these innovative solutions, but they can be used globally to spark efficiencies in the healthcare technology industry,” said Kayla Isabelle, Executive Director at Startup Canada. “We are thrilled to see Natalia and Pooja represent entrepreneurs from Ontario at the Final Showdown in October.”
Presented by Startup Canada in collaboration with UPS, Export Development Canada, the Trade Commissioner Service, Mastercard, Scotiabank, Innovation Canada, CIPO, OSME, and Mitacs and powered by Google, last year’s Canadian Export Challenge showcased and supported more than 1,750 businesses to go global. This year, it’s going even further digitally to support rural and remote entrepreneurs from coast to coast to coast.
Natalia Mykhaylova and Pooja Viswanathan are set to represent Ontario’s global companies on October 20th, where they will have the opportunity to pitch to win the grand prize.
If you missed it, watch the Ontario Regional Canadian Export Challenge here.
Follow the Canadian Export Challenge as it makes its next regional stops in British Columbia & North and Quebec.
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Lauren Hicks
Media Relations, Startup Canada
905-531-1670
lauren.hicks@startupcan.ca
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s 2.3 million entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast. Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.