We’re proud to share that Ninichef Education Labs Inc. was selected as one of the Top 8 finalists in the 2025 LevelUP Pitch Competition, hosted by the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas. The final event was held on April 30 at the historic Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.
The LevelUP program is a highly competitive, 12-week startup accelerator that supports promising early-stage ventures in Ontario. Over three months, our founder, Sahar Rastgar, joined 17 other founders in a transformative experience that included:
- Deep-dive workshops in business planning, marketing, and financial modeling
- Strategic sessions on product development and customer acquisition
- Personalized mentorship to refine our pitch and clarify our growth roadmap
- Opportunities to connect with investors, industry leaders, and peer founders
At the final pitch competition, Ninichef proudly introduced its mission: a gamified learning platform that empowers children to build STEM skills, healthy eating habits, and real-life confidence through joyful cooking-based experiences.
Top 8 Finalists
Ninichef was honoured to be selected from 18 startups and to present alongside these inspiring ventures:
🔹 Chérie AI
🔹 Happy Cramps
🔹 Her Yes Club (winner of the $10,000 prize)
🔹 Ninichef Education Labs Inc.
🔹 Reziland
🔹 Salleo
🔹 Sanostrategy Corporation
🔹 Yadag
A Moment of Recognition
Receiving our certificate of completion on stage was a proud and symbolic moment, celebrating the journey and growth of our startup throughout the program.
The insights, connections, and experience we gained during LevelUP are already helping us take stronger, more confident steps forward in our mission to bring impactful education to families and schools.
We sincerely thank the Innovation Cluster team, mentors, judges, and fellow founders who made this journey so enriching and unforgettable. Being part of this program was more than an achievement—it was a milestone in Ninichef’s evolution, and we look forward to what’s next.
🔗 Learn more about Innovation Cluster
🔗 Explore the LevelUP Accelerator