Hamilton’s innovation ecosystem was on full display last night at the LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition, hosted by Innovation Factory, where ten ambitious startups took the stage to compete for a combined $50,000 in prizes. In its 15th year, the competition once again highlighted the strength and diversity of Ontario’s entrepreneurial talent.
The evening’s top prize of $30,000 went to CoLab Education, which impressed judges with its vision to transform learning through collaborative, accessible education tools. Ariella Racco, founder and CEO of CoLab Education, reflected on the win:
“This was an incredible milestone for CoLab! Having the opportunity to share our mission of transforming teacher collaboration and professional networking in front of 400 live attendees, plus many more watching on TV, represents a game-changing moment for our company and the educators we serve. I’m deeply grateful to the Innovation Factory team and all the ecosystem partners we’ve connected with for their support. Every door opened brings us closer to our goal of connecting millions of isolated educators into a powerful, thriving professional network that will drive better outcomes for students across the region, Canada and the world.”
Second place and $12,500 was awarded to Beck’s Broth, led by Domenique Mastronardi (President & COO), a company reimagining everyday beverages by infusing bone broth into coffee, hot chocolate, and matcha.
In third place, Atorvia, founded by Andrew Butrus, secured $5,000 for its work in drug discovery and preclinical development, bringing innovation to life sciences research.
Speaking on the significance of the competition, David Carter, Executive Director of Innovation Factory, said:
“The caliber of this year’s finalists is a testament to the innovation ecosystem here in the Hamilton-Halton region. These companies aren’t just competing for a prize; they are forging new paths in their industries, creating jobs, and driving economic growth right here in our community. LiONS LAIR is a showcase for that future-focused talent, and we are proud to play a part in their success.”
The panel of LiONS judges included Aaron Goldstein (Gowling WLG), Mark McQueen (Deloitte), and Carley-Rose Horowitz (Wittington Ventures), bringing expertise across law, finance, and venture capital to the decision-making process.
The LiONS LAIR Finalists
This year’s competition featured an impressive lineup of startups across industries spanning biotech, AI, education, and sustainability:
Atorvia
Founded by Andrew Butrus, Atorvia is pioneering new treatments for kidney failure by harnessing advanced AI models and insights into the human proteome. The company is developing a suite of novel therapeutics aimed at preventing and treating kidney failure, a condition that affects tens of millions of patients worldwide and often leads to long-term complications such as heart disease and diabetes.
Beck’s Broth
Beck’s Broth, led by Domenique Mastronardi (President & COO), Beck’s Broth is reimagining everyday beverages by infusing bone broth into coffee, hot chocolate, and matcha. Each cup delivers 15 grams of protein and gut health benefits, made with pasture-raised bone broth sourced from New Zealand.
CoLab Education
Ariella Racco, CoLab Education is building a platform that powers cross-school collaboration and professional networking, helping educators connect, share resources, and strengthen learning communities.
Jitto
Founded by Mani Siddiqui, Jitto helps restaurants save money by streamlining produce sourcing and delivery. The company has already delivered millions of pounds of fresh produce to hundreds of food service customers, driving cost savings and operational efficiency.
J-SAS Inc
Co-founded by Ryan Devers (VP), J-SAS develops ProtechSuite, a platform that simplifies compliance while strengthening cybersecurity. The solution helps businesses minimize effort, build trust, and stay competitive by meeting regulatory requirements with ease.
Kinwood
Founded by Jeff Corcoran, Kinwood provides families with the tools to host personalized Celebrations of Life. From photo reels and memorial cards to commemorative films and custom web pages, the company offers essential products that help honor loved ones in meaningful ways.
Kiwi Charge
Founded by Abdel Ali, Kiwi Charge delivers a convenient EV charging solution through a monthly subscription that brings power directly to drivers. The platform also helps building owners offer charging without costly retrofits and supports automakers in reducing range anxiety for condo-dwelling customers who lack private charging options.
Quthero
Founded by Milica Radisic, Quthero is advancing regenerative therapies using its proprietary Q-peptide technology. The company focuses on applications in dermatology and cardiology, leveraging bioactive peptides with documented regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties to drive innovation in therapeutic solutions.
Rayyan Therapeutics Inc
Co-founded by Hasam Madarati, Rayyan Therapeutics is developing a novel thrombolytic therapy aimed at extending treatment windows and improving outcomes for patients experiencing blood clots.
Resso.ai
Founded by Martin Borowski, Resso.ai helps job seekers get hired faster by providing custom resumes and an interview practice platform. The company’s tools focus on improving communication skills and preparing candidates for high-stakes professional situations.
LiONS LAIR proved to be more than a pitch stage, acting as a launchpad for founders breaking new ground in technology, health, and sustainability. For more information on future startup competitions and programs, check out the Innovation Factory website.
