Meet the 2024 Cohort of YSpace ELLA Ascend, Powered by Desjardins

Meet the 2024 Cohort of YSpace ELLA Ascend, Powered by Desjardins

YSpace ELLA Ascend program, powered by Desjardins, is a 4-month accelerator program designed for women entrepreneurs ready to build traction in their businesses. YSpace is pleased to welcome the following 15 startups to this year's cohort.

6of1 Digital is a women-led boutique agency based in Toronto. Specializing in demystifying marketing for creators of TV shows, films, YouTube videos, TikToks, podcasts, music, web series, and art, 6of1 Digital believes that all content is art. The agency offers straightforward, innovative solutions to help projects stand out in the digital realm.

Learn more here.

AFTER9 is a line of fashionable, sustainable, high-performance maternity activewear that moms love, whether it’s workout time, meeting time or feeding time. Developed through measurements of 500 expecting mothers' bodies, and listening to their opinions, AFTER9 fabrics, from faux leather to mesh, include fit technology that moms will love wearing throughout pregnancy & well beyond postpartum. AFTER9 can be found online and various retailers across Canada.

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Anto Yukon believes that bath and body products can be more than just functional. The company strives to fill people’s lives with thoughtful, nature-based experiences, from the Yukon to the world. Anto Yukon's intention is to bring high-end products that convey the feeling, wild ingredients, and values of the north. This is achieved by locally harvesting plants and silt for their products, partnering with fine artists to visually tell their story, and incorporating the natural landscape into their branding.

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AWAKE is leading sustainability for cemeteries across Canada. Combining patented soil science and smart environmental design, AWAKE turns ashes to earth, creating affordable, beautiful, and eco-friendly resting places. Their newest program helps municipal cemeteries achieve environmental and financial sustainability with memorial scattering gardens that decrease burial footprints by up to 99% and increase profitability by up to 40 times, all while being more affordable for families.

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Bosh Logistics Inc., founded in 2023, leverages extensive industry knowledge to create a robust intermodal trucking company. Led by co-founders Maria, with a decade of financial management experience, and Dan, with ten years in operational management, the company focuses on solving industry inefficiencies through timely, transparent, and efficient delivery. Since starting operations in March 2024, Bosh Logistics has billed over $105,000. The company prioritizes excellent communication and aims for future sustainability.

Learn more here.

Brightfield offers sustainable home fragrances designed to spark joy in everyday life. The founder, Christina, was tired of using single-use candles and home fragrance products that caused headaches and allergies. With a strict list of ingredients to avoid, she created refillable, non-toxic candles, room sprays, and reed diffusers that help customers feel good in their homes and transition from stressed to joyful. Brightfield is a 1% for the Planet member, runs a refill program, and donates $1 from every candle sold to Second Harvest.

Learn more here.

Brow Mentor Melissa is a permanent makeup and education company dedicated to empowering PMU artists worldwide. Transitioning away from client services, the company focuses on providing free and accessible education in both skill and business for PMU artists. Additionally, Brow Mentor Melissa is committed to introducing new and existing tech tools to the industry, advancing its practices and standards.

Learn more here.

Cocoon Skincare is a skincare company dedicated to assisting women in eliminating hormonal acne through hormone-balancing supplements. Recognizing that high estrogen, or “estrogen dominance,” affects about 72% of adult women, with hormonal acne being a common symptom, Cocoon has developed its hero supplement, Balance. This supplement is proven to support healthy estrogen balance, bringing hormones into harmony and reducing hormonal breakouts. Cocoon's mission is to provide reliable acne solutions that empower women to feel confident in their skin every day.

Learn more here.

Dexign Matter Studio, located in Richmond Hill, is a premier interior design firm specializing in innovative solutions for both residential and commercial clients. With an award-winning reputation and a commitment to high-quality designs, Dexign Matter Studio caters to the unique needs of its clients. The studio's portfolio showcases projects across various industries, including restaurants, retail spaces, housing developments, and education centers, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals and businesses alike.

Learn more here.

Hairbru is a dynamic and innovative hair brand specializing in Braids, Locs, and Wigs. The company's goal is to normalize Afrocentric and diverse hairstyles while providing a safe and inclusive space to experience hair culture and heritage. Since its inception, Hairbru has made it a mission to promote and share knowledge of natural hair grooming as part of ancestral customs. The company believes that how individuals view themselves is exactly how the world views them. Hairbru now offers options to people of every color, age, gender, and sex.

Learn more here.

Mindful Mommy Doula is a matchmaking agency offering a step-by-step method to help clients find their perfect Doula. Operating as a virtual agency, Mindful Mommy utilizes a detailed personality assessment based on personality, lifestyle, and location to ensure optimal matches. Additionally, every doula on the team has completed personality assessments. With a team of over 40+ doulas located throughout the GTA, the agency aims to alleviate the stress of searching by providing personalized assistance to their clients.

Learn more here.

Therapedia Centre is a collective of diverse psychotherapists and art therapists dedicated to offering accessible mental health services. Specializing in child and adolescent mental health, as well as adult psychotherapy, our team employs a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to the individual needs of our clients. Our services are designed to be inclusive and accessible to various demographics, including immigrants, refugees, and Indigenous Peoples.

Learn more here.

Verlee Atelier is dedicated to offering clean and mindful fragrances in an industry often characterized by overwhelming scents that can cause discomfort. With a focus on clean fragrances, inclusivity, sustainability, and mindfulness, Verlee Atelier creates gender-neutral perfume oils and solid perfumes that envelop the skin in a gentle embrace. These fragrances are unique to the user and those closest to them, providing a subtle and personal olfactory experience.

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VM ID Inc. offers comprehensive tools, training, and services tailored to bring your brand’s unique retail presentation to life. With customizable consulting and labor services, we cater to a diverse range of clients, from pop-up markets and small local shops to large-scale businesses with multiple stores. Our expertise lies in revamping and optimizing spaces to showcase your products effectively, enhancing the shopping experience, and ultimately converting browsers into buyers. By boosting your brand’s image and bottom line, we help you achieve retail success.

Learn more here.

Established in 2008, Winks Eyelash Boutique stands as a premier beauty salon in Toronto, specializing in transformative eyelash extensions. Nestled in the vibrant Yorkville neighborhood, our open-concept salon provides a luxurious experience with highly skilled technicians. We prioritize enhancing our clients' confidence and beauty, offering personalized care and transparent pricing. At Winks, we firmly believe that stunning lashes serve as a powerful tool for feeling confident and ready to conquer the world.

Learn more here.

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