YSpace ELLA Ascend showcase and fireside chat powered by Desjardins
ELLA Ascend Showcase and Fireside Chat powered by Desjardins
From Shelf to Scale: Building Brands People Believe In
Join us for a wonderful celebration where bold ideas, breakthrough innovation, and entrepreneurial achievement converge.
Under the theme From Shelf to Scale: Building Brands People Believe In, the Fireside Chat will explore how founder-led companies build credibility, earn customer trust, stand out in crowded markets, and scale with authenticity.
The evening will also feature the Ascend Showcase, where selected ELLA Ascend founders will deliver live pitches, sharing their ventures, visions, and next stages of growth. Guests will also celebrate the achievements of the cohort through a graduation ceremony and closing reception.
Featured Panelists
Charlene Li, Co-Founder of EATABLE
Charlene Li is the co-founder of EATABLE, a Toronto-based gourmet popcorn company inspired by wine, spirits, and cocktails. EATABLE is now sold in over 200 retailers across Canada and the U.S. and has been featured on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
Tara Tomulka, Co-Founder of Rawcology
Tara Tomulka is a nutritionist, chef, entrepreneur, and founder of Rawcology, a plant-powered snack brand focused on raw, organic, and nutritious products. Her background spans wellness, communications, partnerships, business development, and culinary education.
Graydon Moffat, Founder of Graydon Skincare
Graydon Moffat is the Founder and Chief Idea Officer of Graydon Skincare, a Canadian clean beauty brand creating multifunctional, plant-powered products for a range of skin types, tones, and genders. She has grown Graydon Skincare into an award-winning, female-founded brand recognized for its impact-driven, clinically proven formulas and commitment to sustainability and ingredient transparency.
Event at a Glance
5:00 PM – Doors Open
5:45 PM – Opening Ceremony: Land Acknowledgement & Remarks by YSpace Team
6:00 PM – Fireside Chat powered by Desjardins
6:45 PM – Live Pitch Showcase: Presentations from Selected Founders
7:10 PM – Graduation Ceremony: Certificate Distribution
7:30 PM – Closing Remarks & Acknowledgements
7:35 PM – Group Photo Session
7:40 PM – Closing Reception & Networking
Who Should Attend
This event is designed for founders, entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, corporate partners, ELLA Ascend community members, and startup ecosystem stakeholders interested in brand-building, growth, innovation, and supporting women-led ventures.
About YSpace
YSpace is York University’s pan-university innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans across scaling ventures through customer and investor capital support.
Our focus areas are in supporting Technologies, Food & Beverage, Women-Led and Black-Led Ventures.For more details, visit YSpace Programs & Streams.
Please be advised that this event will be photographed and recorded. By completing your registration, you acknowledge and consent to the possibility of your image and/or voice being captured and used for promotional or archival purposes.