TELUS announces winners of its small business contest

TORONTO — TELUS announces the winners of its fifth #StandWithOwners contest. Chosen from thousands of applications from across Canada, 20 businesses have been recognized for “demonstrating what makes their business unique, their use of technology to drive innovation, and a proven track record of growth.”

Six of the 20 winners were each awarded a grand prize, receiving over $200,000 in funding, technology, and national recognition. The remaining 14 winners each receive $20,000 in funding and technology. This year’s contest saw record engagement, with thousands of applications — a 60% increase compared to last year — featuring a diverse range of owners from across Canada in industries such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, technology, and food services.

This year’s six grand prize winners are:

Blume: Blume is a food manufacturer founded by Karen Danudjaja. The company started by selling in local coffee shops and has now expanded to over 4,000 retailers across Canada and the US.

Happly Ai: Cofounder Thierry Lindor is using AI for to help businesses and nonprofits match and secure funding tailored to their needs. With over 100,000 users, the platform has unlocked nearly $70M in funding, transforming how enterprises and organizations access economic opportunities.

Kidcrew Medical: Involved in pediatric healthcare, Kidcrew Medical combines primary, specialized, and allied health services under one roof.

Legends Haul: Focusing on sustainability, Legends Haul is involved in food distribution and manufacturing, with their own house brands and a 30,000-square-foot distribution facility.

Stoko: Originating from his personal experience with an injury sustained on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, Stoko founder Zack Eberwein set out to create new medical-grade supportive apparel: an all-in-one knee brace and compression tight designed to help people get active again and stay active for as long as possible.

ZoRaw Chocolates: ZoRaw Chocolates was founded by Gigi Gill, who along with her partner Tanveer, developed a protein-fortified, fiber-rich, and sugar-free chocolate bar.

“Small business owners put it all on the line with an unwavering belief that it’s worth the risk to create a better future for themselves, their families, employees, customers and communities,” said Roi Ross, Senior Vice-president & President, Small and Medium Business at TELUS. “In a year marked by our highest number of applications ever, our grand prize winners stood out for their dedication to continually grow and innovate their businesses with passion, purpose and perseverance.”