YEY Awards 2026
THE 2026 WINNERS
Across ten award categories, the 2026 YEY winners represent the ambition,
creativity, and momentum of Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Meet the founders building bold companies, solving meaningful problems, and shaping what comes next.
WINNERS
Meet The Winners
Meet The Winners
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Paige Cey
Benny
Paige Cey co-founded Benny, a better-for-you energy drink made with natural caffeine and adaptogens for steady energy without the sugar, jitters, or crash. The capital-efficient brand has generated more than $4 million in lifetime revenue and expanded into roughly 1,900 Target stores.
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Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Paige Cey
Benny
Paige Cey co-founded Benny, a better-for-you energy drink made with natural caffeine and adaptogens for steady energy without the sugar, jitters, or crash. The capital-efficient brand has generated more than $4 million in lifetime revenue and expanded into roughly 1,900 Target stores.
CATEGORY SPONSOR
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Female Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Vishar Yaghoubian
Toothpod
Vishar Yaghoubian founded Toothpod, a patent-pending dental smart gum that supports oral health when brushing is not an option. Backed by clinical work with partners connected to Harvard and the University of Toronto, Toothpod has produced more than one million units and reached dental clinics across North America.
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Female Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Vishar Yaghoubian
Toothpod
Vishar Yaghoubian founded Toothpod, a patent-pending dental smart gum that supports oral health when brushing is not an option. Backed by clinical work with partners connected to Harvard and the University of Toronto, Toothpod has produced more than one million units and reached dental clinics across North America.
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Black Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Praise Odutayo
Truckbud
Praise Odutayo founded Truckbud, an on-demand platform connecting customers with local drivers for big and bulky deliveries. Built from Winnipeg without paid customer acquisition, Truckbud has completed more than 600 deliveries and is laying the groundwork for a more accessible large-item delivery network across Canada.
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Black Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Praise Odutayo
Truckbud
Praise Odutayo founded Truckbud, an on-demand platform connecting customers with local drivers for big and bulky deliveries. Built from Winnipeg without paid customer acquisition, Truckbud has completed more than 600 deliveries and is laying the groundwork for a more accessible large-item delivery network across Canada.
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COMMUNITY PARTNER
Indigenous Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Mila MacCuish
Irritated
Mila MacCuish co-founded Irritated, a Canadian skincare brand creating clinically tested products for sensitive and reactive skin. Inspired by her own experience with severe eczema, Mila helped grow the bootstrapped company past $100,000 in first-year sales.
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Indigenous Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Mila MacCuish
Irritated
Mila MacCuish co-founded Irritated, a Canadian skincare brand creating clinically tested products for sensitive and reactive skin. Inspired by her own experience with severe eczema, Mila helped grow the bootstrapped company past $100,000 in first-year sales.
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Health & Wellness Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Paige Cey
Benny
Paige Cey co-founded Benny, a better-for-you energy drink made with natural caffeine and adaptogens for steady energy without the sugar, jitters, or crash. Her double win at YEY 2026 recognized Paige as both Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Health & Wellness Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
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Health & Wellness Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Paige Cey
Benny
Paige Cey co-founded Benny, a better-for-you energy drink made with natural caffeine and adaptogens for steady energy without the sugar, jitters, or crash. Her double win at YEY 2026 recognized Paige as both Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Health & Wellness Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
CATEGORY SPONSOR
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Tech & AI Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Matthew Espinoza
Clover Labs
Matthew Espinoza founded Clover Labs, which builds AI-powered software that automates distribution and growth across search engines, AI platforms, Reddit, and social media. In less than a year, the company launched multiple products, built a team of more than 26 people, and generated millions of impressions through its own growth engine.
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Tech & AI Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Matthew Espinoza
Clover Labs
Matthew Espinoza founded Clover Labs, which builds AI-powered software that automates distribution and growth across search engines, AI platforms, Reddit, and social media. In less than a year, the company launched multiple products, built a team of more than 26 people, and generated millions of impressions through its own growth engine.
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Sustainability & Climate Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Adnan Sharif
Lyrata
Adnan Sharif founded Lyrata, the company behind SmartSoil, a reusable and biodegradable grow medium for indoor agriculture. With emissions up to 65 times lower than rockwool, SmartSoil has advanced from university research into pilots with partners in Canada and Japan.
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Sustainability & Climate Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Adnan Sharif
Lyrata
Adnan Sharif founded Lyrata, the company behind SmartSoil, a reusable and biodegradable grow medium for indoor agriculture. With emissions up to 65 times lower than rockwool, SmartSoil has advanced from university research into pilots with partners in Canada and Japan.
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Community Connector Award by Flair
Bill Zheng
RadiCare Ventures
Bill Zheng founded RadiCare Ventures, a social enterprise creating meaningful employment for people facing poverty, homelessness, addiction, disability, and justice-system barriers. Combining frontline lived experience with digital reporting, RadiCare is approaching $900,000 in annual revenue while making public spaces cleaner, safer, and more connected.
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Community Connector Award by Flair
Bill Zheng
RadiCare Ventures
Bill Zheng founded RadiCare Ventures, a social enterprise creating meaningful employment for people facing poverty, homelessness, addiction, disability, and justice-system barriers. Combining frontline lived experience with digital reporting, RadiCare is approaching $900,000 in annual revenue while making public spaces cleaner, safer, and more connected.
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Challenger Award by Wealthsimple
Arish Shahab
Amano
Arish Shahab founded Amano, a health technology company building an affordable over-the-counter hearing aid that can be custom-fit and personalized using AI. Since its public launch, Amano has generated more than 25 million online views and secured tens of thousands of dollars in pre-orders and letters of intent.
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Challenger Award by Wealthsimple
Arish Shahab
Amano
Arish Shahab founded Amano, a health technology company building an affordable over-the-counter hearing aid that can be custom-fit and personalized using AI. Since its public launch, Amano has generated more than 25 million online views and secured tens of thousands of dollars in pre-orders and letters of intent.
CATEGORY SPONSOR
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Emerging Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Daniel Mueller
Sunquell
Daniel Mueller founded Sunquell, a window-film company improving building security, comfort, and energy efficiency for homes and businesses. By pairing skilled installation with an AI-powered operating system, Daniel generated approximately $110,000 in Sunquell’s first year and built the company to profitability while still a full-time student.
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Emerging Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Daniel Mueller
Sunquell
Daniel Mueller founded Sunquell, a window-film company improving building security, comfort, and energy efficiency for homes and businesses. By pairing skilled installation with an AI-powered operating system, Daniel generated approximately $110,000 in Sunquell’s first year and built the company to profitability while still a full-time student.
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LAST YEAR'S WINNER
“YEY came at a moment when we were deep in the build, and it felt like the kind of recognition that opens doors, not just celebrates milestones. Through the experience, I saw tangible impact, from media features, meetings with advisors I had only hoped to connect with one day, and even my first paid speaking opportunity. That kind of momentum changes how a young company moves.
Francesca Albo
Puppy Sphere