On Wednesday, September 17th, our space came alive as Venn Innovation hosted two incredible gatherings: the Startup Global Pop-up Pitch Competition with Startup Canada and the Startup Atlantic Kitchen Party: Collide & Connect.
The pitch competition brought together 43 founders from across all three Maritime provinces, with ecosystem partners on hand to share insights and cheer on the region’s entrepreneurs.
At stake: a $3,000 cash prize and a guaranteed spot at the Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale in Mississauga on October 21, where finalists will compete live on the Main Stage for a share of the $70,000 prize pool.
We’re so proud that two of Venn Garage’s client startups placed in the Top 5, with one taking home the grand prize!
Meet David Leonardo Sanchez, Founder of Decarb Technologies Inc.
His startup is tackling a global problem that impacts communities and ecosystems everywhere:
· Just 1 liter of grease can contaminate 1,000 liters of water.
· The result? Clogged pipes, foul odors, pests, and serious harm to aquatic ecosystems.
Decarb Technologies’ solution:
A modular, on-site wastewater treatment system that removes 99% of grease and reduces COD by 90%, creating a cleaner, more sustainable way forward for businesses and the environment.
With this win, David has secured a guaranteed spot at the Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale in Mississauga on October 21, where he’ll join nine other finalists to pitch live on the national stage.
We’re proud to support David and Decarb Technologies as they continue to build solutions that drive sustainability and create real impact for businesses and communities alike.
Another standout at the Startup Atlantic Pop-Up Pitch Competition - Inkubatr Agritech Solutions Inc.
Alongside David’s big win with Decarb Technologies, we’re excited to highlight another incredible startup that made it into the Top 5 Finalists: Inkubatr Agritech Solutions Inc.
The problem they’re solving:
Every year, retailers throw away $5–10M worth of live plants due to shrinkage, averaging 9% in retail and up to 20% in grocery stores.
The issue isn’t lack of demand (customers want healthy plants), it’s lack of time, training, and tools for staff to care for them properly. The result? Dead plants, lost sales, and disappointed customers.
Their solution: The Incubator
The world’s first IoT-powered retail merchandiser for live plants, designed to:
· Automatically provide the right light, water, and climate.
· Offer cloud connectivity so retailers can monitor inventory, track plant health, and receive real-time alerts.
· Pair with proprietary Plant Pack packaging, keeping plants healthier longer — reducing waste while boosting sales.
Where they are now:
· Manufacturing partner secured in St. Louis.
· Production unit ready and electrical certifications underway.
· Pilot deployments planned for Q4 2025 with Canvas MB and NSLC.
With a strong team bringing together agriculture and technology expertise, Inkubatr is redefining how retailers manage and care for live plants.
Congratulations to Inkubatr Agritech Solutions for making the Top 5 and for showing us what bold innovation looks like in Atlantic Canada’s startup ecosystem.
This event was a true showcase of the innovation, resilience, and creativity within Atlantic Canada’s startup community.
A huge thank you to Startup Canada, our ecosystem partners, and every founder who pitched. Your vision and hard work continue to inspire us. We can’t wait to cheer on David and the Decarb Technologies team at the Startup Global Grand Finale in Mississauga this October, and to follow the journeys of all the incredible entrepreneurs shaping the future from right here in Atlantic Canada.