FedEx #BackingSmall Business Contest

Northern Lights Solar Solutions
Winnipeg, Manitoba

When it comes to heating in extreme cold, Northern Lights Solar Solutions has found a smarter way. The company designs high-performance air-to-water heat pumps that efficiently warm hot tubs, pools, and homes, even when temperatures drop to -30°C.

“We became experts in heating hot water via the sun and moving it into usable spaces such as domestic hot water, radiant and hydronic space heating and swimming pools,” says co-founder Daniel Jung. “With the emphasis of trying to heat hot tubs, we stumbled upon a new technology of EVI heat pumps that is capable of providing hydronic heating from outdoor air as low as -30.” That discovery now powers their flagship brand: Arctic Heat Pumps. 

With their cash prize, the team plans to reward their hardworking employees and put the rest toward marketing, helping raise visibility for air-to-water heat pumps.

Tiny Modernist
Hamilton, Ontario

With a background in both fine arts and fashion design, Cheryl McKinnon brings a distinctive eye to her whimsical, modern cross stitch patterns. Working from her home studio near Hamilton, she’s grown Tiny Modernist from a small Etsy shop into an internationally recognized brand, shipping designs to needlework shops around the world and appearing regularly in books and magazines.

“Cross stitch is one of the easiest forms of needlework to learn, and it’s so enjoyable,” said Cheryl. “Stitching can be used as form of mindful meditation, it helps to de-stress, and the best part is that it you are creating beautiful artwork to display.”

Dartmouth Ocean Technologies
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Dartmouth Ocean Technologies is making it easier to understand the biodiversity of our ocean, one sample at a time. Their autonomous environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler enables researchers to study the DNA of marine organisms from locations and depths that were previously unattainable.

With their prize, they’ll invest in their people — from hands-on training to office upgrades.

While their small business journey hasn’t always been easy, it has been worthwhile. “Building a business is a lot of work,” said GM Tom Knox. “You cannot be afraid to fail and start again but is very rewarding.”

Prairie Clean Energy
Regina, Saskatchewan

By transforming flax straw—a byproduct often burned or discarded—into clean-burning biomass fuel, Prairie Clean Energy is helping farmers unlock new income streams while cutting industrial emissions. Launched in 2020, PCE has built partnerships with farmers, processors, and energy buyers across Canada and beyond. With every tonne of pellets, they estimate that they prevent three tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

The most rewarding part, according to president and CEO Mark Cooper? “Watching a ‘what-if’ sketch on a napkin turn into real-world impact: prairie farmers earning new income, industrial partners meeting decarbonization targets, and a Saskatchewan-born technology that can meaningfully cut global emissions.”

Redstone Sales
Toronto, Ontario

With over 25 years of experience in mass merchant, electronics, and loyalty markets, Redstone Sales helps manufacturers and distributors break into the Canadian market. From product sourcing in China to navigating customs and freight forwarding, they manage the kind of behind-the-scenes logistics that make product launches successful.

Operating as both a sales and marketing agency and a China product sourcing partner, Redstone coordinates international production, shipping, and distribution with precision—ensuring timelines are met and relationships stay strong.

“Hard work, discipline, and determination drive us to deliver results,” said Simon Wong, the company’s owner and president.  With their prize, Redstone hopes to help even more global products find their place in the Canadian market.