Canada’s technology community gathered at Nrth 2026, formerly known as Elevate Festival, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, venture studios, and industry leaders for a showcase of innovation and emerging business opportunities.
Marking a new chapter for one of Canada’s established technology events, Nrth 2026 highlighted companies working across artificial intelligence, financial technology, healthcare, fashion, and digital marketplaces. The event also brought together organizations supporting startup growth, including Highline Beta, a venture studio and venture capital firm focused on building and investing in early-stage companies.
The festival also featured the Tangerine Business Elevator Pitch Challenge, which saw numerous entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their innovative business ideas and compete for $50,000 in funding. Mohamed Ali, founder of Moro App, emerged as the winner, securing the grand prize. The competition showcased a diverse range of startups and provided emerging founders with an opportunity to gain exposure, connect with industry leaders, and accelerate their business growth.
From early-stage startups to growing businesses, the festival offered a glimpse into the innovation shaping Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. As part of PressBeta’s coverage of Nrth 2026, here are 10 companies to watch from this year’s event.
10. Purchs
Purchs is a grocery wholesale platform designed to simplify how businesses order products from suppliers. Its text-based ordering approach allows customers to place orders with suppliers through a familiar communication channel, reducing friction in traditional wholesale purchasing processes.
9. Satellica
Satellica is an AI-powered research platform helping businesses conduct customer interviews, surveys, and usability testing at scale. Through AI-moderated research, the platform aims to deliver actionable customer insights in hours rather than weeks, enabling companies to make faster product and business decisions.
8. Rax
Rax is a Canadian peer-to-peer fashion rental marketplace that allows users to borrow, purchase, and lend clothing. The platform offers access to fashion at prices advertised as up to 90% below retail while enabling individuals to generate income from their existing wardrobes. Its marketplace model combines affordability with a more circular approach to fashion consumption.
7. Toothpod
Toothpod is developing a dental gum designed to support oral hygiene when traditional brushing is not convenient. The product aims to help fight plaque, neutralize acids, and support tooth enamel, offering consumers an alternative way to maintain oral care throughout the day.
6. Typify
Typify is a technology talent platform connecting software developers with career opportunities and companies seeking engineering talent. The platform provides developers with access to remote job opportunities, professional resources, and connections with employers, positioning itself as a network for building stronger engineering careers.
5. TalkLuna
TalkLuna is an AI-powered receptionist platform designed to help businesses manage incoming calls and appointment bookings around the clock. Its virtual receptionist can answer customer inquiries, schedule appointments, integrate with customer relationship management systems, and send call summaries to business owners. The platform targets businesses looking to improve customer responsiveness without expanding their administrative teams.
4. Athena AI
Athena AI is an artificial intelligence platform designed to help users research, create, and turn ideas into tangible results. The platform combines AI-assisted research with tools for generating diagrams, images, websites, and other digital content. Its integrated workspace is intended to help entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals manage complex projects more efficiently.
3. Equivesto
Equivesto is a Canadian investment platform that helps private companies raise capital while expanding access to investment opportunities. Through its online platform, eligible investors can participate in offerings from private businesses, while companies gain an alternative channel for fundraising. The platform is part of a broader shift toward technology-enabled private capital markets in Canada.
The festival also featured the Tangerine Business Elevator Pitch Challenge, which saw numerous entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their innovative business ideas and compete for $50,000 in funding. Mohamed Ali, founder of Moro App, emerged as the winner, securing the grand prize. The competition showcased a diverse range of startups and provided emerging founders with an opportunity to gain exposure, connect with industry leaders, and accelerate their business growth.
2. Cansulta
Cansulta is an online consulting marketplace designed to connect businesses and entrepreneurs with professional expertise. The platform aims to make business consulting more accessible by helping organizations find specialists who can provide guidance across different business functions.
1. PulseFX
PulseFX is a financial technology company focused on foreign exchange and helping businesses navigate international currency transactions. The company operates in a sector where businesses increasingly seek efficient and accessible solutions for managing cross-border payments and currency exchange.
Nrth 2026 highlighted the diversity and momentum of Canada’s growing technology ecosystem, with startups tackling challenges across industries ranging from artificial intelligence and financial services to healthcare and consumer products. As the festival enters a new chapter under the Nrth brand, its continued focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and meaningful connections provides a platform for emerging companies to gain visibility and build relationships. For Canada’s next generation of founders, the opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and scale continue to grow.
