2026 Cooperathon: A decade of empowering tomorrow’s socially conscious entrepreneurs
The Desjardins Business team was proud to award $100,000 in prizes to eight innovative projects by startups at the finals of the 10th Cooperathon. The Cooperathon brought together business owners, partners and leaders to celebrate a decade of socially conscious entrepreneurship in Canada.
Powered by Desjardins Business, this training program offers teams with promising, innovative projects a structured path to turn their ideas into viable businesses while addressing a major societal challenge in one of three areas: People, the Planet and Prosperity.
“The Cooperathon was created based on a simple premise: we’re better at tackling society’s major challenges together than alone. For 10 years, we’ve supported entrepreneurs who dream of finding real solutions for people, the planet and collective prosperity. Tonight, we’re celebrating not only their boldness and action, but also an entire ecosystem of mentors, partners and business owners who are proving that when we work together, we can create positive, lasting change for our communities.”
— Tommy Pelletier, Vice-President, Business Member and Client Services
Teams rewarded for addressing today’s challenges
The event held on July 9 capped off a weeks-long journey for nearly 170 innovative projects put forward during the Cooperathon. Eight prizes totalling $100,000 in grants were awarded to the 2026 finalists:
· Grand Prize ($40,000): MEYcell (Brampton, ON)
· Prosperity Prize ($10,000): Boussole ESG (Montreal, QC)
· People Prize ($10,000): TechInu Inc. (Markham, ON)
· Planet Prize ($10,000): MEYcell (Brampton, ON)
· University Research Prize ($15,000): Qalam Health Solutions (Montreal, QC)
· Innovation Prize ($5,000): Allio Health (Waterloo, ON)
· Impact Prize ($5,000): LifeMemory (Montreal, QC)
· AI/Tech prize ($5,000): Altas Bio (Toronto, ON)
The public was also asked to vote for their favourite finalist. The People’s Choice Award went to Allio Health (Waterloo, ON).
Celebrating 10 years of dedication and boldness
The anniversary gala marked both the culmination of 10 years of innovation and the kickoff for the 10 years to come. Desjardins Business intends to continue its involvement with up-and-coming entrepreneurs in Quebec and Ontario, by broadening the scope of support it offers through programs like the Créavenir Youth Entrepreneurship Program and Startup in Residence.
“Over the past decade, we’ve learned that support can’t happen in a vacuum. The Cooperathon is the first step in a journey that continues with ecosystem partners through Créavenir and Startup in Residence. Our role is to make sure no business falls through the cracks because of a lack of support.”
— Mathieu Bélisle, Director, Start-up and Innovation Ecosystem, Desjardins Business
Over the last 10 years, the many people who’ve contributed to the Cooperathon have demonstrated the relevance of this vision despite economic ups and downs, the pandemic, and the uncertainty that followed. Since 2016, more than 700 businesses have been created and more than 7,400 participants from 30 cities have been a part of this entrepreneurship project.
About the Cooperathon
Powered by Desjardins, the Cooperathon supports the creation of innovative, socially conscious businesses by providing a structured journey with tools, a network and support. Since 2016, the program has supported more than 700 startups and more than 7,400 participants with the help of more than 100 partner organizations from across Canada. Participants develop solutions that support the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on three key areas: People, the Planet and Prosperity.
Description of winning startups
MEYcell (Brampton, Ontario) – Grand Prize ($40,000); Planet Prize ($10,000)
MEYcell is a startup specializing in precision fermentation that develops yeast-derived lipids to give plant-based meats the flavour profile consumers expect.
Boussole ESG (Montreal, QC) – Prosperity Prize (10 000 $)
Digital platform that supports agri-food companies in their ESG certification using a structured and achievable method.
TechInu Inc. (Markham, ON) – People Prize ($10,000)
Using AI and its patented MAPIS technology, TechInu is transforming diabetes care into a proactive, personalized, painless process.
Qalam Health Solutions (Montreal, QC) – University Research Prize ($15,000)
AI-enabled intraoperative probe that helps identify bone cancers in real time to improve the precision of surgical procedures and reduce recurrences and unnecessary amputations.
Allio Health (Waterloo, ON) – Innovation Prize ($5,000) and People’s Choice Award
Allio Go is a wearable breast pump that uses biomimetic technology to increase comfort, improve milk expression and help lactating parents breastfeed longer.
LifeMemory (Montreal, QC) – Impact Prize ($5,000)
LifeMemory preserves your life story or a loved one’s by transforming spoken, unorganized memories into a clear, structured book.
Altas Bio (Toronto, ON) – AI/Tech Prize ($5,000)
Altas Bio uses AI to analyze microscopic images of cancerous lab-grown organoids and immediately tell which are viable and which aren’t.