Introducing the 2026 Fireweed Venture Accelerator Cohort

DIVERGE Social is a first of its kind dating app designed to restore health and joy to the world of online dating by prioritizing relationship with self, and connection over superficial selection. We offer a creative blind dating experience where you are supported to show up authentically and where people are matched on true information. Founded by Indigenous entrepreneur Randi Russell (Member of Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe), a part of the Blackfoot Confederacy and Treaty 7 Territory) challenges you to let go of biases, lean into love and to step into the dating experience that you deserve. In addition we are committed to building in the highest standard of privacy, safety and transparency so that you get to focus on the fun!

First-ory is an Indigenous-owned education company founded by K’odi Taylor (Haida (Skidegate), Kwakwaka’wakw (Kingcome) producing language revitalization products for Indigenous communities. Through inclusive educational resources paired with fluent-speaker audio, the company increases early language exposure, supports families and learners, and creates sustainable revenue streams that contribute to broader community-led language revitalization efforts.

Heartberry Soda is a craft beverage company founded by Nadine Jopson (Alexander First Nations) producing small-batch, low-sugar sodas inspired by Indigenous plant knowledge and tradition. Using real fruit and, when possible, wild-foraged ingredients, the brand celebrates ethical harvesting and connection to land while offering health-minded drinks that support cultural resurgence, community wellbeing, and sustainable ingredient sourcing.

Zachary Knight Enterprises is an Indigenous-owned company delivering housing, infrastructure, and energy retrofit solutions for First Nations across Canada. Founded by Stan & Cindy Knight (Opaskwayak Cree Nation & Yellow Quill FN), the company combines technical expertise with community capacity-building through initiatives like Inspector in a Box, advancing self-determined, sustainable housing and long-term economic opportunity.

Kettle and Hive is an Indigenous, woman-owned beverage company founded by Trish Francis (Wiikwemkoong) in Esquimalt, Vancouver Island, producing natural lemon honey tea concentrates that are caffeine-free, made with simple ingredients, and known as a warm, soothing “hug in a mug.” Founded by Trish Francis, the company promotes wellness, community connection, and locally rooted, wholesome beverage choices.

Locality Brewing is a farm brewery in Langley producing “field-to-glass” craft beer using barley, hops, and other ingredients grown on site. Owned and led by Melanie MacInnes (Waceya Metis Society MNBC), the company integrates agriculture and brewing to support local supply chains, Indigenous-led entrepreneurship, and community connection through authentic, terroir-driven craft beverages.

MRF FieldTech is a rugged, offline-first platform founded by Terry Bordeleau (Métis Nation British Columbia) & Terri Karolat designed for people who work on and care for the land – forestry crews, land guardians, and land keepers. It’s designed to capture observations, photos, locations, and classifications without cell service, handle complex rules so crews can focus on the work, and produce clean maps, reports, and compliance-ready outputs. For guardians and land keepers, it protects sensitive data, tracks change over time, and keeps control with the community. It bridges relationship-based knowledge with modern decision systems – reducing cognitive load in the field, increasing trust in the office, and turning observation into structured, protected evidence.

49 Dzine is an Indigenous-owned design and retail company founded by Jeron Rainy Chief (Kainai First Nation- Blood Tribe- Treaty 7) based in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. 49 Dzine creates contemporary apparel, fabrics, accessories, and art rooted in Indigenous culture and storytelling. Founded from humble beginnings in a garage, the brand has grown into multiple storefronts and a strong online presence, driving cultural visibility, economic opportunity, and community engagement while supporting Indigenous artists and creative expression. With continued growth and momentum, 49 Dzine has plans to expand with additional locations across Canada, further amplifying Indigenous design and entrepreneurship nationwide.

Northern Roots Lodge is an Indigenous-led luxury tourism experience founded by Kathleen Bildson (Dene Tha’ First Nation) rooted in Métis culture and Northern land-based connection, built in partnership with Kathleen’s father and brother. A Hay River-born entrepreneur and artist, Kathleen also creates handcrafted beadwork through Autzamee Design Co., reflecting Northern tradition through contemporary design. Together, her work celebrates cultural continuity, Indigenous artistry, and elevated experiences grounded in story, place, and identity.

Ode’mini Giizis Coffee Co. & Café is an Anishinaabeg women-owned café and social enterprise operated by a mother-daughter team Chloe & Amy White (Anishinaabeg of Swejiwnong, aka Bkejwanong), whose community hub in Wallaceburg, Ontario is grounded in cultural resurgence and time-immemorial land-based practice. Now expanding into agricultural production, products, and seasonal food subscription boxes as an act of territorial food sovereignty.

RiGEL is a deterministic infrastructure for Indigenous trust and estate administration.

Founded by Martiall Pitts (Aamjiwnaang First Nation) & Brittany Puttick (Rolling River First Nation), helps Nations and financial institutions replace spreadsheets with transparent, defensible workflows, especially where Section 87 and complex governance apply.

Rocktree MgO Construction Materials produces Canadian-made, fire-resistant MgO building boards that reduce climate risk, lower embodied impact, and strengthen domestic supply chains. Founded by Natalie Clyke of White Bear First Nations, the company supports resilient infrastructure and Indigenous economic participation. Through From Harvest to House, it advances housing self-sufficiency using climate data and Indigenous knowledge.

SproutSync is an Indigenous-led agtech company building affordable greenhouse automation tools that help growers produce food year-round with more confidence and less guesswork. Kendal Garlow (Six Nations of the Grand River) & Thomas Sweeney, SproutSync combines practical technology and Indigenous food knowledge to boost yields, strengthen food sovereignty, and support more resilient local food systems.

The New School of Fundraising reimagines how fundraising is learned and practiced. Through small group and one-on-one training, it supports fundraising professionals, boards, and community leaders with practical, values-based approaches. Founded by Rowena Veyan (West Moberly First Nation), the school has supported hundreds of organizations since 2021 with purpose-driven fundraising strategies that strengthen organizational capacity through relationship-centered approaches.

Tradish Canada is an Indigenous-led culinary brand founded by Sarah Mierau (Sayaisi Dene FN Treaty 5 Tadoule Lake, Manitoba, and Algonquin) that is advancing food sovereignty by celebrating and revitalizing traditional foodways through seasonal menus, plant-based dishes, and cultural storytelling. Tradish Canada uses its food truck, catering, and events to reconnect communities to land-based ingredients, ancestral practices, and Indigenous culinary heritage.