EY Pitch Competition Winners 2023

“I was blown away at how excited and supportive the entire EY & CGLCC teams were in celebrating this win with me. I’ve never done a business pitch before… I’ve never even been to a business conference before! I was so ready to feel uncomfortable and anxious about coming into this space, especially since business isn’t always a safe place for me as a queer and non-binary entrepreneur, but I’ve felt such a huge sense of welcome from folks at EY and the CGLCC. Honestly, I think they’ll regret it, because it’s going to be hard to get rid of me!

Winning this competition is going to allow our company to invest more in strategy to figure out how we can truly and meaningfully be supporting the non-profit sector in both Northern and Prairie Canada. I’m honoured that folks at EY & CGLCC recognized the special thing that we have built at Ivy + Dean, and we’re even more honoured to be the first LGBTBE Certified Supplier in the NWT and in Saskatchewan. We can’t wait to see how many more 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in our regions decide to join us in this journey.” – Jacq Brasseur

Ivy + Dean Consulting is a bilingual, full-service consulting firm that supports small and medium-sized non-profits incorporate equity and social justice into their governance, leadership and programming practices. With offices in Regina, SK & Yellowknife, NT, Ivy + Dean focuses on providing services to community organizations outside of metropolitan Canada

“On a personal level, it is heartwarming to be acknowledged by the judges who saw my passion and acknowledges the social impact I want to make. On a business level, Beaut Postpone is ready to make a dramatic entrance into the EY Pitch Competition finale and also into your bathroom soon!” – Kim Ng

Postpone Foam by Beaut is a plant-based, rinse-free shampoo that cleanses hair between washes.

“As someone who started my career in the non-profit sector over 10 years ago, I often feel like a fish out of water in corporate or business spaces. I entered this competition because I just wanted to practice and get comfortable in a new environment. I’m absolutely blown away that I won this round, especially considering I’ve never done a pitch before! Winning means I’m one step closer to the prize, an opportunity to take part in an Executive Education program, and as someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to have any business education, that could really help my business grow in ways that have felt impossible.” – Jacq Brasseur

Ivy + Dean Consulting is a bilingual, full-service consulting firm that supports small and medium-sized non-profits incorporate equity and social justice into their governance, leadership and programming practices. With offices in Regina, SK & Yellowknife, NT, Ivy + Dean focuses on providing services to community organizations outside of metropolitan Canada.

“I have never actually participated in a pitch competition before so it was not only amazing to get to pitch but to win! I actually cried a bit when the panel told me. It was very overwhelming. We feel like we are doing good in the world but our reach feels limited. Getting the support and acknowledgement from CGLCC and EY means a lot because it feels like it will help us have a bigger impact in the world.” – Aaron Cruikshank

CTRS is a market intelligence agency, a certified B Corporation, a certified Living Wage Employer and a proud certified LGBT+ business enterprise. Our team of amazing humans works with private sector clients ranging from startups to multinationals as well as governments and non-profits. They use our market intelligence services to eliminate risk associated with strategic planning. With more information, they can make more informed decisions.