Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ recently held its Insiders Event at the organization’s headquarters in downtown Toronto, where a roster of early-stage portfolio startups showcased their technological solutions across industries.
A total of eight participating startups pitched their products to an invite-only gathering of investors, corporate leaders, and DMZ partners.
One aim of the showcase was to attract investment from DMZ Ventures’ newly launched corporate fund.
The investment fund is slated for up to 10 investments per year, with capital injections up to $250,000, according to Abdullah Snobar, who serves as executive director of DMZ and chief of DMZ Ventures.
“Our unparalleled proximity with our ventures through DMZ’s due diligence sets this fund apart,” posits Snobar. “No other investors understand their startups as deeply as we do.”
The startups present at the event were Cleanster, Flowjin, StructurePlus, HILO, Syzl, Creatubbles, Talin, and financial technology firm Leasey.AI.
Juan Leal, one of the entrepreneurs behind Leasey.AI, took home the largest investment of the night, securing $100,000 for his startup.
“We couldn’t be more thankful to DMZ for this opportunity,” said Leal. “They’ve believed in us from day one, and there’s no better partner we could have asked to back us.”
Based in Vancouver, Leasey.AI’s digital platform is designed to streamline and automate the leasing process for tenants and landlords in Canada.
Freshly funded, Leal says his startup plans to continue advancing its product offering.
“With the funds, we plan to continue to advance the product and differentiate ourselves in the market by focusing on product development and customer acquisition,” stated the CEO.
Two other startups, Flowjin and Talin, received $75,000 each.
“Each startup we back undergoes rigorous vetting and earns DMZ’s stamp of approval, which is why we’re not just backing startups, but winners,” stated Snobar, describing DMZ’s portfolio as comprised of “founders and ideas that we truly believe in.”
Founded in 2020, Leasey is one of several Vancouver-born startups attending Collision this week.
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