Get ready to witness innovation in action at the LevelUP Competition, 2nd Edition! This high-stakes event brings together eight emerging tech startups as they pitch their businesses to a panel of industry leaders, all competing for a $10,000 cash prize. It’s not just a competition—it’s a celebration of entrepreneurial success and a showcase of innovations shaping the future of tech.

Why Should You Attend:

• Discover the latest tech innovations: Engage with eight startups as they showcase their progress and pitch their innovative business ideas, ready for the next level.
• Learn from real-world examples: Gain insights from real-world pitching, business strategy, and customer acquisition techniques. See how startups refine their approaches to stand out.
• Network with key business leaders and innovators: Connect with investors, regional business leaders, and community supporters who are invested in the success of emerging startups.

Secure your spot today and be part of the LevelUP Competition, where the next generation of tech innovation is unveiled. This is your chance to connect with industry experts, investors, and top regional entrepreneurs—don’t miss out!

Judges:

Madeleine Hurrell

Madeleine Hurrell is an Account Manager at BDC, supporting entrepreneurs with financing and advisory solutions to scale their businesses. Before joining BDC, she managed the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre, offering consultation and programming to local businesses. She holds a degree from Queen’s University, an advanced diploma from Fleming College, and is a GrowthWheel-certified small business advisor. Madeleine also serves on the DBIA board in Peterborough and teaches at Fleming College’s School of Business.

Gilberto Gandra

Gilberto Gandra is a seasoned entrepreneur and early team member of Pethealth Inc., where he helped launch pet insurance brands across three countries. After co-founding Adopets and leading it to a successful acquisition, he launched RadiusVC, a venture capital fund focused on deep tech, impact, and inclusion. Gilberto actively mentors startups and participates in Techstars and other accelerator programs. In 2023, he was recognized as an All-Star Mentor, ranking in the top 1% of mentors globally.

Moien Giashi

Moien Giashi is a Principal at GreenSky Capital, leading investments in deep tech startups. With a background in biomedical engineering and materials science, Moien’s expertise spans software, nanotechnology, medical devices, and cleantech. He has held leadership roles in venture capital and the biomedical industry, and his passion lies in supporting IP-backed startups that address global challenges. Moien has previously worked with Baylis Medical and Creative Destruction Lab-Toronto.

Ehsan Daneshgar

Ehsan is the founder and managing partner of LaunchPath, a venture studio dedicated to supporting immigrant entrepreneurs. He is an active investor in early-stage startups and advises Canadian scale-ups like DECIEM and FleetComplete through digital transformation and technology adoption. Ehsan also serves on several nonprofit boards, furthering his commitment to empowering diverse and innovative ventures.

About LevelUP

LevelUP is an accelerator program that takes companies from ideation, startup, to growth. Focusing on mature entrepreneurs and regional innovators in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, our unique model provides individualized mentoring and a flexible approach tailored to make the startup journey as unique as their business idea.

LevelUP is centred on 4 key pillars: Knowledge Transfer, Networking, Traction and Funding Preparation. By incorporating these four pillars into the LevelUP program, the Innovation Cluster aims to offer a well-rounded and supportive environment for participants to develop innovations successfully and navigate the challenges associated with bringing these innovations to market.