Over two days in Toronto last week, ten young innovators took the stage to pitch ideas they had been working on for months. For many, it was their first time presenting their work in front of a live audience, and their first experience thinking about their ideas as real ventures.
Ingenious+ Spark is a new program from the Rideau Hall Foundation, created to support young people as they move from early ideas toward building something tangible. Developed in partnership with DMZ, one of Canada’s leading tech incubators, Spark gives young innovators the mentorship, training, and exposure needed to take that next step.
In the weeks leading up to the event, participants worked closely with mentors to develop their ideas, strengthen their pitches, and better understand what it takes to bring a concept into the real world. By the time they arrived in Toronto, they were ready to put that work into practice.
Bridging ideas and opportunity
Spark builds on Ingenious+, a national youth innovation challenge launched in 2022 that helps young people across Canada develop and share early-stage ideas. What became clear through that program was that many of those ideas did not stop there. Young people wanted to keep building, but needed support to move forward.
Ingenious+ Spark was created to meet that moment. By partnering with DMZ, the program connects youth with the networks, tools, and potential investment opportunities that can help turn early ideas into something more concrete. It is about making that next step feel possible, and within reach.
“Organizations who invest in young talent are key to growing Canadian innovation, and Ingenious+ Spark does exactly that. We were really proud and grateful to be part of a diverse space that reflects the strength of Canada’s future through the ideas and ambitions of its next generation,” ~ Thivya Jeyapalan – Ingenious + Spark winner, Cadme
The program culminated in a two-day, in-person experience at DMZ. The first day focused on pitch practice and coaching, giving participants space to refine how they communicated their ideas and build confidence.
That preparation showed quickly. By the second day, when participants stepped in front of a live audience, there was a noticeable shift. Pitches were clearer, delivery more confident, and the energy in the room reflected how much they had grown in a short time.
Several participants spoke about how exciting it felt to share their work publicly, to be heard, not just evaluated.
Taking the next step
At the final pitch event, participants presented their ventures to a panel of judges, with up to $100,000 in investment available through DMZ Ventures.
DMZ Ventures is now proceeding to finalize investment terms with the following participants: Aidify secured $30,000 for its typing analytics tool supporting student writing. Anterno secured $30,000 for its AI-powered onboarding system for engineering interns. Candmé secured $40,000 for its platform designed to manage high volumes of applications for student programs and fellowships.
For many participants, the experience was also about taking their ideas seriously for the first time, testing them in a real-world setting, and beginning to see what might be possible with the right support.
“Ingenious+ Spark was amazing in all aspects of exploring the world of startup, from invaluable mentorship to the opportunity to meet and present to such an amazing group. The connections and investments from this program will be transformative in launching our project. Thank you to the Rideau Hall Foundation and DMZ!” ~Cindy Cheng – Ingenious + Spark winner, Anterno.
What comes next
Young people are not short on ideas. What is often missing is a clear pathway to keep going. Ingenious+ Spark begins to fill that gap, connecting early momentum with the support, networks, and opportunities needed to grow. It offers a starting point for what comes next, and a reminder that when young people are given the chance to build, they are ready to take it.
