We are excited to welcome 17 social purpose ventures led by incredible changemakers to the first cohort of Rise. Over the next eight months, these purpose-driven founders will actively work on achieving their goals to scale their impact and revenue.
Our Rise entrepreneurs will receive customized coaching, join a supportive community, get guidance from experienced Sheridan faculty members, and expand their networks while accelerating the growth of their impact enterprises.
Hello Hair | Anita Grant
Anita Grant, the entrepreneur behind Hello Hair, is passionate about building self-love in young girls through Black haircare education and resources. Her mission is to empower girls to celebrate their unique beauty and become a leader in Black hair education.
June Adaptive Inc | Wendy Wong
Driven by personal experiences and a desire for inclusivity, Wendy Wong is the designer behind JuneAdaptive.com. Her company offers stylish and functional clothing for people with disabilities, ensuring everyone can feel confident and fashionable. Trusted and generously funded by AMEX, the Government of Canada, The Globe and Mail and national press. Wendy’s innovative solutions are making a difference in the lives of many.
DoGood Fundraising | Rohit Mehta
Rohit Mehta, the social entrepreneur behind DoGood Fundraising, is dedicated to supporting non-profits, charities, artists, and social enterprises. DoGood offers affordable services like grant writing and fundraising consulting, empowering organizations to achieve their goals. Focused on local impact, Rohit and his Canadian team work closely with communities to create positive change.
Impact Learning | Maya Saggar
Maya Saggar is a learning experience designer with Impact Learning. She helps businesses create engaging and effective training programs, offering a one-stop shop for elevating their learning experiences. From curriculum development to implementation, Maya ensures businesses have the tools they need to succeed.
Benlaw.ca | Ben Fulton
Ben Fulton is a restorative justice lawyer at Benlaw.ca. He advocates for low-income individuals in legal disputes and believes in resolving conflicts through mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Looking to expand his impact, Ben aims to offer educational and consultative services to further promote restorative justice and conflict resolution strategies.
The Black Woman Collective | Allison Williams
Allison Williams is the founder of The Black Women Collective, a dynamic social enterprise dedicated to empowering Black female entrepreneurs. The Collective fosters a supportive environment where Black women can connect, share experiences, and collaborate to achieve their business goals. Offering access to essential resources, educational materials, and business networks, The Black Women Collective bridges gaps and provides growth opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
Minds I Like | Alethia Cadore
Adryanna Muncoro leads Human Energy Group, a social enterprise where events transform into experiences that elevate vibrations and foster connection, well-being, and sustainability. Her vision goes beyond planning and crafting meticulously designed gatherings – from corporate events to cultural festivals – that transcend the ordinary and create spaces for deeper human connection.
Jerk & BBQ Haven | Beverly Griffiths
Beverly Griffiths is the owner of Jerk & BBQ Haven, a family-run Jamaican restaurant in Mississauga. Jerk & BBQ Haven serves delicious and authentic Jamaican meals at reasonable prices. Beverly aspires to expand the business and establish a Caribbean Health Food Restaurant, recognizing the gap in the market for such a concept. Jerk & BBQ Haven is committed to providing authentic cuisine and aims to become a leader in the Caribbean health food scene.
MEA Health Corporation | Andy Straifeld
Andy Straisfeld is the leader behind MEA Health Corporation, Canada’s first dedicated recycler of PPE and hard-to-process plastics. MEA Health has grown from a waste collection service to a company that not only builds machinery but also sells plastic recycling products and technology. Andy and his team are positioned to revolutionize the medical waste recycling industry.
Somatic Trauma Therapy Toronto | Katherine Mackenzie
Katherine Mackenzie is a registered psychotherapist specializing in trauma treatment for individuals with complex trauma and treatment-resistant symptoms. Katherine’s goal is to expand from private practice to group practice, offering more resources to the community and hiring additional staff to provide specialized treatment options.
ANE Global | Emmanuel Adebola
Emmanuel Adebola leads ANE Global, a non-profit empowering Black-owned businesses. Functioning as a chamber of commerce, ANE Global offers networking, mentorship, and funding access. Since 2023, the organization has grown significantly, boasting over 200 members across Canada. Emmanuel is dedicated to supporting Black entrepreneurs and their success in Canada.
Change The Art |Krystle Marriot
Krystle Marriott, the art therapist behind Change the Art, uses the power of art to help people rediscover joy and hope. Through workshops, pop-up events, and individual sessions, Krystle helps individuals explore their emotions and heal from childhood trauma. With over seven years of experience, her therapeutic art experiences offer a unique and effective approach to well-being.
Khalil Dorival Enterprise | Khalil Dorival
Khalil Dorival is a Mental Wellness Coach, Author, Spiritual Leader, Facilitator and Invisible Hero Awarded by Toronto Police Services & Child Care Services. He is the Founder of Khalil Dorival Enterprise (KDE). An organization dedicated to addressing the social and economical barriers that youth encounter through Mental Wellness workshops.His phenomenal drive and determination has pushed him to become an influential leader in his community.
Change The Art |Krystle Marriot
Krystle Marriott, the art therapist behind Change the Art, uses the power of art to help people rediscover joy and hope. Through workshops, pop-up events, and individual sessions, Krystle helps individuals explore their emotions and heal from childhood trauma. With over seven years of experience, her therapeutic art experiences offer a unique and effective approach to well-being.
Swift | Reinhold Knauer, Thomas Melton, Melroy Sequeria
SWIFT was established to address the limited services available for electric rides. SWIFT offers a variety of services, including repairs (SWIFTFix), customization (SWIFTSkins), and sales/rentals (SWIFTRides). Our goal is not to fulfill existing demand, but generate excitement and interest for electric vehicles, showcasing their incredible value as well as their environmental benefits. We actively engage with customers one all social media platforms, as we strive to become our customers’ shop of choice.
Elemental Notes | Nairobi Vision
Nairobi Vision, through Elemental Notes Inc., provides individuals with natural and specialized solutions to optimize bodily function. Focusing on custom herbal remedies and alternative forms of education, Nairobi Vision empowers individuals to achieve a healthy transformation through personalized plans built around their unique needs. Elemental’s goal is to offer effective natural solutions that promote overall well-being.
VMA Wellness Consulting Inc | Natalia Alejandra Guzman Parada
We develop wellness solutions and experiences for individuals and businesses, leveraging neuroscience, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative training methods. Our focus is on cultivating new mental patterns and conscious habits that positively influence personal leadership, quality of life, and organizational performance. We empower leaders and professionals to prioritize mental health and achieve success through a range of programs, from team-building activities to strategic planning retreats.
Tamara Henningham
Tamara Henningham is the owner of Henningham & Associates, a relationship-based mental health practice. Her private practice offers a variety of services, including hosting couples retreats and date nights, individual therapy, staff training, keynote speaking, clinical supervision, and graduate-level practicums. Tamara and her team are committed to providing comprehensive mental health support to individuals and couples.
Rise is a program for social entrepreneurs ready to scale their impact enterprises at an accelerated pace. This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). For more information, visit the program page or email us at edge@sheridancollege.ca.