Ottawa, ON – October 21, 2021 | Today the startup, scale-up, and UPS People’s Choice Award winners for the 2021 Startup Global (previously CXC) Pitch Competition were announced. ALT TEX was named the winner of the startup category, taking home $5,000. The scale-up category winner, Kind Laundry, won $25,000 and additional in-kind support. The 2021 UPS People’s Choice Award winner, EuthaBag, will collect $5,000 in cash.
Toronto-based ALT TEX is an innovative biomaterials startup reimagining the clothing industry. Founded by Myra Arshad, ALT TEX has developed a sustainable, carbon neutral, and biodegradable polyester replacement made from re-engineered food waste. One single shirt has the power to divert 9kg of carbon emissions from the air, 4kg of microplastic pollutants from the ocean, and 1kg of food waste from landfills.
“It’s really through support networks like these that we’re able to get so far,” said Myra Arshad, Founder of ALT TEX. “We definitely have a very global mission and could use all of the support from organisations like this that are looking to take Canadian companies global so thank you so much!”
Also based in Toronto, Kind Laundry is a scale-up venture pushing the limits of the detergent and clothing-care industry. Co-founded by Angie Tran and Bernard Law, Kind Laundry’s innovative Detergent Sheets are a zero-waste, eco-friendly alternative to traditional powder and liquid clothing detergents already on the market. The product is also travel friendly, eliminates mess, and features 100% recyclable packaging.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity. We are so incredibly grateful to be sharing our story alongside other incredible companies. With the extra funds it will really help us to continue our mission in eliminating plastic jugs on a global scale so thank you so much for this,” said Angie Tran and Bernard Law, Co-Founders of Kind Laundry. “We’re very proud to be a Canadian company and very fortunate to have a program like Startup Global to support us. We’re going to continue to represent Canadian entrepreneurship and Canadian companies as we continue our journey on this global stage.”
Out of Hemmingford Québec, EuthaBag is changing the way the world says goodbye to their beloved furry friends. Created by Founder and Veterinarian Dr. Céline Leheurteux, EuthaBag is a respectful and ecological body bag that offers veterinarians a professional and practical solution for the transportation, cremation and burial of deceased pets that is, most importantly, respectful for the animal and their caregiver.
“It felt so good to have the opportunity to break the isolation of entrepreneurship and exchange with other enlightened startups [at Startup Global]. We face adversity every day bringing our product to the world,” said Dr. Céline Leheurteux, Founder of EuthaBag. “It was very rewarding to see the diversity of ideas and the dynamism of entrepreneurs here. Long live Canadian entrepreneurship – a community of inventors since the beginning, from insulin to the EUTHABAG body bag!”
Startup Global connects a pan-Canadian cohort of entrepreneurs wanting to build global businesses with a network of partners dedicated to their success. The Startup Global platform aims to foster a national dialogue to promote Canadian entrepreneurs to own the global innovation and entrepreneurship podium while equipping startups and scale-ups with the knowledge and support they need to leverage Canada as a launchpad for global market entry and growth.
“These businesses are making large, impactful waves in their industries. Through thoughtful innovation, Myra Arshad and her team have reimagined the way we think about circular design when it comes to the clothes we wear. Angie Tran and Bernard Law have revolutionized the laundry business all while prioritizing their mission to create a more sustainable future. Dr. Céline Leheurteux is bringing innovation and compassion to the pet afterlife care space,” said Kayla Isabelle, CEO at Startup Canada. “The Startup Canada team is so thrilled to see these thoughtful, disruptive ventures take home the grand prizes of the 2021 Startup Global Pitch Competition.”
Throughout September the 50 pitch competition semi-finalists competed in closed-door, virtually pitch sessions with an esteemed panel of judges. From there, 10 finalists were chosen to pitch again at the Grand Finale on October 21. Aside from the pitch competition, this year also marked the launch of the Startup Global Portal that offered attendees workshops, bootcamps, pitch building, advisory support, digital resources and more.
Presented in partnership with UPS, the Trade Commissioner Service and Export Development Canada, along with Inniskillin, Mastercard, Public Services and Procurement Canada, FITT Scotiabank, NACCA, the Founders Institute, BCF Ventures, Startup Montreal and Mitacs Canada and powered by Magnet, Startup Global showcased and supported thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs as they navigate international markets.
In case you missed it, watch the Startup Global Grand Finale here.
For more information, and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Lauren Hicks
Media Relations, Startup Canada
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re here to connect entrepreneurs with the support, community, and tools they need to build a successful business in Canada. Since our inception in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 250,000 entrepreneurs and an ever-growing grassroots community network from coast to coast to coast. Through our flagship and digital programs, we provide guidance, eliminate barriers, and champion the needs of each and every entrepreneur to private and public sector partners. Startup Canada supports entrepreneurs in starting up and scaling up to ultimately make Canada the best place to start and build a business.