Founders Fund

2019 Finalists

Karen Danudjaja and Ella Dalling

Co-Founders of Blume

Ella and Karen are the co-founders of Blume, a line of superfood blends for your cup, mug or bowl. All their blends are 100% organic, cruelty-free, and made by hand in small batches with flavours like Cacao Turmeric and Matcha Coconut. Ella and Karen met in 2014 in Vancouver and bonded over shared dreams and aspirations. Three years later, Blume was born. The co-founders created Blume blends to support a lifestyle that is open, vibrant and lived fully.


Melanie Ang

Founder of Backcountry Wok

Melanie is an environmental scientist, an outdoor enthusiast and the founder of Backcountry Wok. After spending weeks at a time in the backcountry, she became frustrated with the plastic waste in camping meals. She created Canada’s first line of 100% compostable, multi-cultural and nutritious dehydrated meals. Backcountry Wok also sources ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, in an effort to reduce Canada’s food waste. Melanie is on a mission to make eating in the outdoors more eco-friendly and inclusive, one compostable bag at a time.


Yara Kamal

Founder & CEO of Scoria World

Yara is a yoga teacher, a designer and an adventure seeker. At 23, Yara founded Scoria World. She makes sustainable wellness, yoga and lifestyle products that celebrate the true self. Focusing on eco-conscious cork yoga mats with beautiful designs, Scoria inspires others to unleash their own creativity. Scoria customers also give back with each purchase through a meal-giving program. Yara’s goal is to build a brand that focuses on a culture of rediscovering playfulness and lost creativity.


Sheri Allain

Founder & Chief Lizard at Codezilla Kids

Sheri is the Founder and Chief Lizard of Codezilla, a fast-growing ed-tech company that introduces children ages 4-14+ to important STEM and coding skills. Codezilla has delivered "educational fun" to 1600+ children across 30 schools in Toronto since its first pilot program 2.5 years ago. Its approachable curriculum is inspired by Sheri's two young daughters. Codezilla is super proud to employ a diverse team of awesome, passionate tech instructors. When Sheri's not on email or Slack, she can be found enjoying a business book and a cup of tea!


Heather Abbey

CEO & Co-Founder of Indig Inc.

Heather Abbey is an award winning Cree entrepreneur from Little Pine First Nation. She is the driving force behind Indig Inc, an online business platform and marketplace for Indigenous artisans and small business owners. Indig Inc is the first Indigenous Venture to be accepted into the Canadian Technology Accelerator. Heather is the proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Startup Canada National Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Award, and has won startup capital in fifteen business competitions. Heather enjoys spending time with her family, and connecting with and supporting other Indigenous Entrepreneurs.

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