DMZ awards $155,000 at Toronto Tech Week; NextGen Sound lands $150k, ARKI wins $5k vote
Toronto’s DMZ marked its 15th anniversary and the first year of its investment fund by awarding a combined $155,000 to startups during its DMZ Insiders showcase at Toronto Tech Week on June 25, 2025. NextGen Sound secured a $150,000 investment from DMZ Ventures, while ARKI won a $5,000 People’s Choice Award voted on by attendees.
The invite-only event brought a slate of portfolio companies before a room of investors, corporate leaders and global partners. Founders pitching included Kelsey Hahn of Monark, Julian D’Angelo of Talin, Stephen McCabe of QuickCasa, Lynn Banks of NextGen Sound, and Natalia Bakaeva of ARKI.
NextGen Sound, described as an AI-driven platform for creator and brand marketing, took the top spot. “As a woman founder in tech, getting this kind of support really means a lot,” said NextGen Sound founder and CEO Lynn Banks, adding that the funding will help accelerate product development and marketing.
ARKI, an AI tool aimed at improving design workflows by reusing past project data, earned the crowd vote and the $5,000 cash prize. “With the first Toronto Tech Week in full swing, there’s no better time to celebrate what sets our ecosystem and city apart,” said Abdullah Snobar, executive director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures.
He noted that building in Canada is challenging amid tighter capital and unpredictable markets, but emphasized the importance of backing founders with meaningful investment. DMZ Ventures’ fund, publicly launched at DMZ Insiders in 2024, has since invested in early-stage startups including Leasey AI, Flowjin and Fibra.
The fund says it focuses on inclusive innovation, supporting founders across Canada, including women entrepreneurs and newcomers. Earlier in the week, DMZ partnered with BetaKit to host an event marking the incubator’s 15th year. According to the organization, DMZ has supported more than 2,450 startups that have collectively raised $2.95 billion in capital and created over 25,000 jobs to date.