Participants at DMZ Sandbox during ABC Toronto 2023
During ABC Toronto 2023, we had an opportunity to get inspired at the incubator at Toronto Metropolitan University: The DMZ. We got a glance into a world where ideas prosper, and entrepreneurial dreams come true.
DMZ is a world-leading growth incubator, home to the world’s most promising tech startups. This proves the fact that DMZ grew and scaled over 800 start-ups, raised over $2.5 billion in capital and created more than 5000 jobs in start-ups.
Founder Talk by Adrian Bulzacki
Firstly, we had the honor of attending a Founder Talk by Adrian Bulzacki, a champion for innovation. Adrian is the founder of ARB Labs Inc., a globally recognized leader in casino table games security and predictive gesture recognition technology. He shared with us his entrepreneurial story and taught us what dedication and an innovative mindset can achieve when combined – taking the company from ideation to a double-digit multiple valuation. Also, his role as a founding member of DMZ proves his devotion to empowering young minds to reach their business goals. During Adrian’s session, participants captured the motivation they need to nurture to achieve big goals and learned tips and tricks on how to overcome challenges at the beginning of their start-up journey.
Dr. Adrian Bulzacki
Raising Capital by Nazuk Thakkar and Katie Ko
In addition to the eye-opening Founder Talk by Dr. Bulzacki, we participated in a workshop Raising Capital held by Nazuk Thakkar and Katie Ko, VC Associate and Investor at Ripple Ventures. The workshop equipped participants with the necessary tools to handle the investor’s requirements and stand out from the crowd. Besides, they had an opportunity to master their pitching skills with an interesting activity in which they needed to sell a non-functioning product. We could see the participants shining with numerous ideas on how the product can be used differently. During the workshop, participants learned about different investment types, how to find product market fit, prepare a perfect pitch and raise from top-tier investors.
Katie Ko
Nazuk Thakkar
Innovative mindset
As we look back at our visit to DMZ during ABC Toronto 2023, we are reminded that innovation is not just about making new products. Innovation is about having a mindset that keeps you rolling even in difficult times because you know that dedication can transform ideas into reality.
We would like to thank the DMZ once again for hosting us at DMZ Sandbox, giving us practical knowledge and skills, and blooming a new generation of change-makers!
We look forward to next year and the new adventures that await us at ABC Toronto 2024 ✈️🌞
