Moncton, NB — Eighteen months ago, Ashish Deshmukh was stocking shelves at Home Depot, working part-time while pursuing his Master's in Management at Crandall University. Today, he's the Founder and CEO of Clearance Central AI Solutions Inc., Canada's first AI-powered clearance discovery marketplace — with over 800 active users within the first 15 days of deployment and a team of six.
But the journey from graduate student to startup founder wasn't part of the original plan.
The Spark
"I almost didn't apply," Ashish admits, reflecting on the email from Crandall's Graduate Student Society about the Spark Change Pitch Competition. "It was the last day of submissions. I had this idea brewing from what I was seeing at Home Depot — inefficiencies in how clearance items were managed, customers missing deals, retailers struggling with markdown inventory. I thought, 'what if AI could solve this?'"
He applied. Got shortlisted. And won second place.
That validation changed everything.
From India to Canada: Building the Foundation
Ashish's path to entrepreneurship started long before he arrived in Canada on April 13, 2024. With a Bachelor's in Technology, a postgraduate diploma in Analytics and Business Intelligence, and over six years across multinational companies — including Cotiviti (healthcare analytics), Bottlecapps (e-commerce product owner), and Kirloskar Oil Engines (Deputy Manager, Analytics) — he'd already learned how to turn data into decisions.
He'd even launched his first startup in India: Tesuto Manufacturing LLP, creating the Plancer brand to serve rural consumers with essential cleaning products.
"Canada was a reset," he says. "New country, new market, new challenges. I wanted to learn, build networks, and figure out my next move."
The Pivot Point
Winning the Spark Change Competition brought mentorship, workspace at Venn Innovation's Garage program, and something more valuable: belief that the idea had legs.
Then came a game-changing partnership. Venn Innovation and Crandall University created a first-of-its-kind arrangement allowing Ashish's startup venture to count toward his final term internship credit.
"Those four months were rocket fuel," Ashish recalls. "I went from part-time hustle to full-time builder. I could validate the idea, develop the MVP, and actually talk to customers instead of just theorizing in a classroom."
Traction, Fast
On August 7, 2024, Clearance Central AI Solutions Inc. was officially incorporated. Within months:
LINDA (their AI-powered clearance search engine) went live
200+ signups in the first 15 days
800+ active users generating over 5,000 website events
1.5-minute average session time — impressive engagement for a deals platform
Student Vault launched with Crandall University as the first official partner, creating a cheaper customer acquisition channel
Showcased at North SaaS Conference
Selected for the Elevate Startup Festival delegation
Team grew to six people, all working toward something bigger
"We're solving a real problem," Ashish explains. "Consumers want deals but don't want to hunt through endless websites. Retailers need markdown intelligence but lack the tools. We built the bridge."
What's Next?
Currently participating in the NBIF Breakthru Competition for $100K in funding, Ashish is balancing growth, team building, and the inevitable challenges of scaling a startup.
"Canada gave me the ecosystem to build this," he reflects. "Venn Innovation, Crandall University, mentors like Andre and Ayoub — they didn't just support the idea. They supported me. That's what makes the difference."
For other international students thinking about entrepreneurship in Canada, his advice is simple: "Don't wait for the perfect moment. Apply to that competition. Pitch that idea. The worst that happens? You learn. The best? You build something that matters."
About Clearance Central AI Solutions Inc.
Clearance Central is Canada's first AI-powered clearance discovery platform, operating as a dual-sided marketplace connecting consumers with verified deals and providing retailers with markdown intelligence. Founded in 2024 and based in Moncton, NB, the company is part of Venn Innovation's Garage incubator program.