As the 2026 Brilliant Incubator comes to a close, we are taking a moment to celebrate the students, mentors, and innovators who spent the past weeks transforming ambitious ideas into promising ventures. Building on years of supporting student entrepreneurship at Ontario Tech University, this year’s cohort continued the program’s tradition of collaboration and meaningful impact.

Hosted by Brilliant Catalyst at Ontario Tech University, the Brilliant Incubator brings together aspiring entrepreneurs from across disciplines. It provides them with the tools, resources, and industry insights needed to take their ideas from concept to reality. 

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More Than a Program, a Launchpad

The success of this cohort would not have been possible without the guidance and expertise of our mentors and workshop facilitators. Their willingness to share their experiences, challenge assumptions, and support student entrepreneurs played a vital role in helping participants develop their ideas. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to: 

• Kaila Dimopolous - 1855 Whitby (Semi-Finals Judge)
• Sinan Mohsin - Rasam (Problem Validation Workshop)
• Duke Liu - Borderless Homes (Business Essentials Workshop) 
• Loewe Ke - Jobster.io (Day 1 Keynote Speaker)

From validating concepts to developing business models and preparing investor-style pitches, students gained hands-on experience that extended far beyond the classroom. The program encouraged participants to test assumptions, learn from feedback, and develop the confidence needed to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions. Whether addressing challenges in healthcare, technology, accessibility, or community development, the participants shared a common goal of creating solutions that make a meaningful impact.

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The Moment to Take the Stage

The program culminated in a Pitch Competition, where participants presented their ventures to judges, mentors, and members of the entrepreneurial community. 

After weeks of preparation, teams showcased not only their solutions but also the growth they experienced throughout the program. Each presentation reflected the dedication, creativity, and resilience that defined this year’s cohort.

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Final Pitch Competition Winners:

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1st Place: ModuSafe (Rida Syeda, Malasa Khan): A safety-conscious, PPE-compatible modest wear, starting with the Clinical Hijab: a pin-free, breathable, hygienic hijab designed for professional and regulated environments.

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2nd Place: Status Flow (Vaibhav Patel): A free end-user platform that helps job applications track their outgoing applications, understand their pipeline, and use AI-powered workflows to navigate the process with more confidence.

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The Beginning of What’s Next

While the Pitch Competition marks the end of this year’s incubator, it is far from the end of the participants’ entrepreneurial journey. The relationships built, lessons learned, and confidence gained throughout the program will continue to support these innovators as they pursue future opportunities. Whether their ventures continue to grow into businesses, evolve into new projects, or inspire future innovations, the impact of the Brilliant Incubator extends well beyond the weeks' worth of work put into it.

Want to Get Involved?

Have an innovative idea? Apply to the Brilliant Innovation Fellowship and receive a $10,000 stipend to help bring it to life. Learn more and apply today.

Ontario Tech students can stay connected by completing the interest form. Have a startup idea or are interested in future incubation opportunities? Contact the team at Brilliant@ontariotechu.ca.