Announcing the recipients of the 2024 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs

Now in its fourth year, OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs: 

• $6,000 First Place  
  Mufaro Mukoki/Mukoki Lab (Mufaro Mukoki), a modern womenswear fashion studio. 
   
• $5,000 Second Place 
  Matchwise (Kimathi Bwomono), a mobile app designed to facilitate intergenerational connections. 
   
• $4,000 Third Place 

Student Must-Stash (Felipe and Santiago Bohorquez-Alvarez), a simple storage that helps newcomers navigate change. 

• $3,000 Honorable Mention 

DoubleTake Puzzles (Iris Elliott), double-sided wooden jigsaw puzzles with a twist. 
 

• $1,000 Ample Labs Prize for a business tackling a social problem:  
  Matchwise (Kimathi Bwomono), a mobile app designed to facilitate intergenerational connections. 

These individuals were selected by our jury of experts: Dr. Alia Weston, Associate Professor of Creative and Business Enterprise at OCAD University; Charlene McFarlane, Founder of The New ROR; Jaymin Luces-Mendes, founder of Toni Marlow Clothing, and Noire Now; Kimani Peter, founder of LOUD.army; and Tammy Yiu Coyne, co-founder and CEO of Partial. 

We would also like to shout out the other finalists for this year’s Seed Fund: 

• XING STUDIOS (Aimee Wu) is a sustainable fashion label centering heritage, healing, circularity and creative reimagination. 
• The Good Citizen Studio (Katherine Valenzuela) explores the power of image to create meaningful change.` 
• CEREMONY (Katie Sullivan): Experiments in collaboration. Research in creativity. 
• QUANTUM FOOTWEAR (Lily Li) utilizes 3D printing technology to create sustainable and affordable footwear for all. 
• Board (MURATHAN BILIKTU) - Handpicked Local Events: Join, host, and connect with creative locals 
• Gray Objects By V.I.A (Vincent I. Akinbode) is an atelier store for collectors. We transform space via contemporary product design. 

This year, all ten finalists will receive 1-on-1 mentorship to help them further develop their business idea. 

Learn more about the CEAD at: www.ocadu.ca/cead