05/05/2026
What happens when you give emerging Black entrepreneurs in construction the tools, mentorship, and space to build?
On April 25, we saw the answer.
Participants in the BYAP Entrepreneurship in Construction program took the stage at George Brown Polytechnic to pitch businesses they’ve spent 12 weeks building—from concept to market-ready.
And they delivered.
Huge thank you to our judges—Nicole Lowe, Yuen Lee, Christopher Duff, Kameka Nicholson, and Gary Caldwell—who challenged participants with thoughtful, real-world questions and helped push their ideas even further.
Over the past 12 weeks, participants didn’t just learn—they built.
They refined their value propositions, identified partners, defined their markets, and developed financial and go-to-market strategies grounded in the realities of the construction industry.
Shoutout to Denton Dewar and the team at George Brown Polytechnic, Denise Mogaji Nelson, Suzanne De Freitas, Gianni Rotondo and Joyce Schuman, for creating a truly impactful learning experience.
We were also honoured to hear from Chezlie Alexander of Toronto Community Housing Corporation, whose keynote was a powerful reminder of the importance of identity, purpose, and ownership in this work.
And to our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence—Oseye Cohen (12 Gates Property Services) and Orise Afam (Span & Spaces Inc)—thank you for showing up, consistently, as mentors and guides.
Real-world exposure mattered too.
Thank you to Bass Installation, Ambergates Projects and Logistics, Cleannit Janitorial Services, and 20 Vision Electric Inc for opening your doors to our participants.
🚀 Here’s what excellence looked like:
🏆 Pitch competition winner — Ashleigh Ann Moyo Karabo (Ohel Developments)
🥈 Second place — Elizabeth Ayugbo (Vendar)
🥉 Third place — Andrew Tesfatsion (Basecore Concrete Formwork)
👏 Audience Choice — Azeez Jolaosho (Construct Clean)
Winners received cash prizes as seed capital and all participants received complimentary websites for their businesses and 1-year memberships in ACCA
These aren’t just ideas—they’re the next generation of construction businesses.
As we wrap this cohort, we’re grateful to the Black Opportunity Fund for supporting this work through the Black Youth Action Plan.
This is how we build stronger, more inclusive industries—by investing in people, ideas, and opportunity.
