Venturepark Labs

It's #NationalBlackBusinessMonth, and we're celebrating the diverse talents within our community whose unique products truly shine. This month, we are proud to highlight Black-owned businesses, like the inspiring story of Lolade 'Lola' Adeyemi, the founder of It's Souper Afro-Fusion, and a member of our Incubator Kitchen. It’s Souper was born from Lola’s passion for sharing the vibrant flavours of her Nigerian heritage. After earning her Bachelor's degree at the University of Winnipeg and establishing a successful career as an IT Consultant in Toronto, Lola started bringing traditional Nigerian dishes to work potlucks. The enthusiastic reactions from her coworkers ignited the spark for what would become her culinary venture. Frustrated with the lack of flavourful, ready-to-eat soups in grocery stores, Lola took matters into her own hands. She launched It's Souper, offering Afro-Fusion Gourmet Soups and Sauces that celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Canada while staying true to authentic African tastes. Through her brand, Lola brings the bold, delicious flavours of Africa to Canadian kitchens, transforming soup into a nourishing and exciting meal. Join us in celebrating Lola and the diverse culinary heritage she shares through It’s Souper.

Have you registered for our upcoming webinar on August 8 from 4 to 5:30pm MST (6 to 7:30pm EST)? Save the date and join us for an informational discussion on everything you need to know about our Accelerator program. What’s it all about? We'll dive into the program's features with the help of a special guest — grazyna szawlowski. As the founder of North Hound Life and an alumni of Cohort 17, she is eager to share her experience in our program and the growth she’s seen since. In addition, Kalyan Chinnamanthur, our Head of Program Operations, will provide an overview of the program, and we’ll wrap up with a Q&A session. Get your meeting invite by registering: https://lnkd.in/gb9S7c4h We look forward to seeing you there.

☀️ July Brought the Heat ☀️ As the temperatures soared, so did the excitement within our community. This sizzling summer month started with some big news! We were delighted to welcome our new President, Marla Larock, to the team. As we cool off from June's Demo Days East and West, we want to thank all the participants, mentors, and attendees who made it a blazing success. Looking ahead, we're excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar on August 8th with our Cohort 17 alumni, grazyna szawlowski, who will discuss her recent experience in our Accelerator, followed by a Q&A. Stay cool, and keep reading for all the details!

🌟 Shout out to Jamie Parker, our Park Person of the Month for July! 🌟 As the co-founder of Canadian Heritage Roasting Company, Jamie embodies the spirit of adventure and ruggedness that defines the brand. Inspired by a cup of coffee enjoyed during a backpacking trip in Alberta, the company merges fresh, bold roasted coffee with a passion for exploration. From his background as a wildland firefighter to his weekend mountain escapes, Jamie’s experiences have deeply influenced CHRC. Their commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in their “1 Million Trees Planted” initiative, supported by the “Buy A Bag = Plant A Tree” program, which has already seen over 129,000 trees planted. His generosity and drive doesn’t stop with the outdoors! Since joining Cohort 3 of our Accelerator program, he has been a steadfast supporter of fellow entrepreneurs, lifting up our community with the expertise he has gained throughout his journey. His learnings span various areas, including operations, financial management, long-term brand vision, cultivating patience, improving negotiation skills, and independence — all knowledge he is eager to share with the next generation of founders. Join us in celebrating Jamie and his incredible journey. Here's to many more adventures with a mug of coffee! ☕🌲

Mark your calendar! 📅 Join us on August 8, 2024, from 4 to 5:30 pm MST (6 to 7:30 pm EST) for an exclusive informational webinar on our Accelerator program, featuring a special guest. grazyna szawlowski, the founder of North Hound Life and a proud member of Cohort 17, will discuss her transformational experience in our program, including how it helped her scale her business, key takeaways, milestones achieved, and offer advice for prospective applicants. Following that, Kalyan Chinnamanthur, our Head of Program Operations, will provide an overview of the Accelerator program. We'll conclude the session with a Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask any burning questions. Get the inside scoop on how our Accelerator gives consumer packaged goods entrepreneurs the edge! Secure your spot by registering: https://lnkd.in/gnqV2VJu

🥦 Introducing KFS Rx Meals! 🥦 Meet Yvonne Kangong MD and Wilfred Kangong, the founders of KFS Rx Meals, where health and innovation converge. Based in Calgary, AB, they established their company to tackle the challenge of diabetes. Dr. Yvonne Kangong is a distinguished Obesity Medicine Specialist and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Calgary, and her expertise in health and wellness is a cornerstone of the KFS Rx brand. Wilfred Kangong brings a wealth of experience as a leader in technology and enterprise solutions. KFS Rx Meals aims to reduce the risk of diabetes and support individuals on their diabetic journeys by offering a variety of meal alternatives, including sugar-free and low-carb spices, sauces, and breads. With a combined professional experience of over 30 years, Dr. Yvonne and Wilfred Kangong envision leading the sector forward, combining their extensive experience in medicine, technology, and healthy food manufacturing to initiate a paradigm shift and make a lasting impact.

We are bursting with pride! 🥹 Graydon Moffat, founder of Graydon Skincare and an alumni of Cohort 7 of our Accelerator program, has been named Founder of the Year by ICON/REFINED 🏆 Graydon’s mission to revolutionize the beauty industry is truly groundbreaking, and we couldn’t be happier to see her hard work and dedication celebrated. Show her some love and support!

🎬 That's a wrap on Demo Day! 🎬 Missed out on the action? No worries! Get the full scoop on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gSuvtYRt

🥞 We’re flipping excited! 🥞 STAC(S), an alumni of Cohort 16 of our Accelerator program, has launched their highly anticipated gluten-free pancake mix! This organic, gluten-free version of their beloved original mix is made with Canadian-sourced organic ingredients and is just as fluffy and delicious. 🍁 You can now grab a box online or find them in select retail stores. What’s even better? A portion of profits from these boxes, just like their original ones, are shared with nonprofits that support food, youth, or the arts. So, not only are you treating yourself to a tasty breakfast, but you’re also contributing to some great causes! 💛 Get stacking today — check out their new gluten-free mix at STACSOriginal.ca!

Arlene Dickinson and Venturepark's Board of Directors are thrilled to announce the appointment of Marla Larock, MBA as the new President of Venturepark. Marla brings 25 years of marketing and innovation expertise in the food and beverage sector across CPG, retail, and restaurant industries in both Canada and Australia. Marla's experience spans client and advisory roles, where she has successfully driven brand and organizational growth in highly competitive environments. Her impressive portfolio includes work with industry giants like General Mills, Procter & Gamble, Nabisco, Second Cup, Kellogg's, Goodman Fielder, and Australian icon Arnott’s, managing both market leaders and emerging brands. As an accomplished and entrepreneurial leader, she’s an invaluable addition to our team in this time of growth and expansion. Her passion for Canadian-led innovation and fostering growth in this space aligns perfectly with our mission of helping early-stage entrepreneurs thrive and overcome barriers they face by increasing access to resources, mentorship, and networks. In her new role as President, Marla will lead Venturepark in advancing our mission as Canada’s leading accelerator for food, beverage, and wellness entrepreneurs. She is committed to expanding our organization’s reach and impact nationally, and to furthering important relationships with our valued partners. Marla holds an HBA and MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Please join us in welcoming Marla to Venturepark!