The Zensurance Small Business Grant
The response to the latest Zensurance Small Business Grant? Absolutely incredible!
Thousands of inspiring and ambitious small business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-starters from coast to coast threw their hats in the ring – and every single application brought something that stopped us in our tracks. We loved the passion, creativity, and the sheer drive to build something bigger all applicants showed.
Now it’s your turn to help choose the two finalists who will each receive a $10,000 grant.
Meet our top 10 finalists below and cast your vote before June 23, 2026.
The two $10,000 grant recipients and eight $1,000 grant recipients will be announced here on June 25, 2026.
Congratulations to Our Finalists
Gratitude Fence
Founder: Ramon Montalban
Location: Minesing, Ontario
Gratitude Fence helps homeowners across Simcoe County improve their privacy, security, and curb appeal with quality residential fencing they can count on. Built on dependable craftsmanship and a commitment to getting the job done right, Ramon Montalban’s business is rooted in the community it serves. A grant would go toward scaling operations, investing in advanced equipment, expanding inventory, and growing their marketing reach to connect with more homeowners across the region.
EY Nano Tech Solutions
Founder: Ernesto Yris Romero
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Ernesto Yris Romero isn’t just fixing roofs, he’s rethinking how we maintain them. EY Nano Tech Solutions applies nano treatments to shingles, concrete, and wood that permanently transform their molecular structure, boosting durability and extending their lifespans by up to 15 years. His technology already keeps thousands of pounds of non-recyclable roofing material out of Ontario landfills every year. A grant would help him invest in inventory, logistics, advanced safety gear, and marketing to accelerate a mission to change property maintenance for good.
Freshwave Cleaners
Founder: Poonampreet Panju
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Poonampreet Panju founded Freshwave Cleaners with a belief that professional cleaning should be sustainable, affordable, and accessible to everyone. Freshwave delivers high-quality, eco-friendly residential and commercial cleaning, and through its Clean Support Initiative, provides free or subsidized services to seniors, single mothers, and people recovering from medical conditions. A grant would help her invest in commercial-grade equipment, hire and train new employees, and expand the Clean Support Initiative to reach even more people in her community.
Kascade Plumbing and Heating
Founder: Terrance Kronen
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
When Terrance Kronen left the oil patch, he didn’t go far – he went back to his community. Kascade Plumbing and Heating serves rural Central Alberta residents who too often struggle to find reliable plumbing and heating help when they need it most. A Red Seal journeyman plumber and gas fitter, Terrance brings serious credentials to an underserved region. A grant would help him grow operations, expand service capabilities, and invest in the tools and equipment needed to better serve the communities counting on him.
Mahara Mindfulness
Founders: Sheba Zaidi and Genevive Savundranayagam
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Sheba Zaidi and Genevive Savundranayagam launched Mahara Mindfulness in 2020 – a female-founded, BIPOC business born from a genuine desire to help people protect their mental health during one of the hardest stretches in recent memory (the pandemic). Their Human Being Journal Collection, Reflection Prompts, and Conversation Cards give people practical tools to gain perspective and live more fully. A percentage of every sale goes directly to mental health organizations, including CAMH. A grant would help them expand operations and grow their retail partnerships to put these tools in more hands.
Looply Kids Used Clothing & Toys
Founder: Melanie Gillham
Location: Collingwood, Ontario
When a beloved children’s clothing resale shop closed in Collingwood, Melanie Gillham didn’t just feel the gap – she filled it. Looply Kids is a not-for-profit resale shop that buys gently used kids’ clothing, toys, books, and essentials and sells them back to families at a fraction of the cost of buying new. Launched in early 2026, Looply is already a lifeline for local families. A grant would help Melanie hire more staff and invest in marketing to grow community outreach and help even more families access what they need.
Oven Theory
Founder: Timothy Cho
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Timothy Cho built Oven Theory one pop-up at a time, and in just three years, he’s hosted 130+ events across the Greater Toronto Area. His Asian-inspired desserts are light, fluffy, and refreshingly not too sweet – a menu built on genuine culinary identity, not trends. Beyond the pastries, Oven Theory runs workshops and webinars that help aspiring bakers build the confidence to launch businesses of their own. A grant would help him hire more staff, invest in technology to scale, and expand his growing product line.
So Divine Artisan Boutique
Founder: Nikita Bucholtz
Location: Fort St. James, B.C.
In Fort St. James, B.C. (a small northern town) Nikita Bucholtz runs So Divine Artisan Boutique entirely on her own. Every single product on the shelves was made by an independent Canadian artisan. No mass production. No big brands. Just real crafts and genuine stories, all under one roof. It’s a one-woman operation built around a big mission: making it easy to support the makers in your own backyard. A grant would help Nikita launch a loyalty rewards program, upgrade signage, invest in product photography, and build out her website and email marketing.
Shining Spark Entertainment
Founder: Jordan Sparks
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Jordan Sparks built Shining Spark Entertainment around the idea that art, storytelling, and technology can drive real change. The multimedia studio creates educational video games, broadcasts, and digital tools designed to benefit underserved communities. They’ve worked with The Game Foundation Charity and recently supported the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation’s Quest To Conquer Cancer fundraising campaign. A grant would help Jordan hire more staff, boost pre-production funding, and build new charity partnerships to expand their reach and impact.
WashCrafters
Founder: Kendall Scott
Location: Bedford, Nova Scotia
Kendall Scott launched WashCrafters with a firm conviction: That professional pressure washing and exterior cleaning shouldn’t come at the environment’s expense. WashCrafters exclusively uses biodegradable, eco-friendly products that are safe for families, pets, and the landscapes surrounding every job. A grant would help Kendall upgrade equipment, make operational improvements, and expand marketing to reach more clients across the Halifax area.
About the Zensurance Small Business Grant
The #ZensuranceGrant2026 application is open to all Canadian* entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners with compelling stories about their businesses.
* Excluding Quebec, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut
To be eligible to win, entrants must complete the application form, get a free insurance quote, follow one of our social media channels, and be an operational company registered in Canada with annual revenue that does not exceed $1 million — only one entry per business.
Please read our full terms and conditions
A shortlist of 10 finalists will be announced on June 16th, 2026.
The public may vote on which of the top 10 finalists should receive the $10,000 grant from June 16th to June 23rd, 2026 (so get active on social media, tag us, and encourage your customers and friends to vote!).
The two $10,000 business grant recipients will be announced on June 25th, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET. The other eight finalists will each receive a $1,000 grant.
Key Timelines
Our Previous Small Business Grant Recipients
Nate Wickens, owner of Next Level Property Management & Services Ltd. in Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, was our second winner in 2026.
Samantha Lemus, owner of Sol & Sage Yoga in Bowmanville, was our first winner in 2026.
Emile Maamary, co-owner of Steadiwear in Toronto, was our third winner in 2025.
Resources for Canadian Small Businesses
When Do I Need Liability Insurance for My Small Business in Canada?
Starting or running a small business in Canada? Liability insurance feels like something you deal with later – but waiting can be risky. From sole proprietors to growing companies, here’s when liability coverage becomes essential.
Do I Really Need Liability Insurance for My Small Business in Canada? (Even If I’m Low Risk?)
All small businesses in Canada face some level of liability risk – even home-based, online, or one-person businesses. Without liability insurance, you may have to pay for losses, damages, or legal defence costs, settlements, and court-awarded damages out of pocket.
10 Questions to Ask Before Renewing Your Small Business Insurance
Reviewing your business insurance coverage annually – especially at the start of a new year – is one of the best ways to protect your small business. Before you renew a policy, ask an insurance broker a few key questions to confirm you’ve got the right coverage for your Canadian business. Here are 10 questions to ask.
Visit the Zensurance Small Business Insights blog for more resources.
