Demo Day: An Innovation Festival on Zimmerman Avenue

Demo Day is back and bigger than ever — join us for a summer festival & innovation celebration right outside the NFIH.
About this Event

Niagara's Biggest Innovation Celebration is Coming!

Celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation, and community as the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub transforms Zimmerman Avenue into an outdoor innovation festival featuring startups, technology, food, networking, and a live pitch competition, powered by Niagara Economic Development.

Event Highlights

• 35+ startup and technology exhibitors
• Celebration of 55 graduating entrepreneurs
• Live Pitch Competition
• People's Choice Awards
• Food Truck
• Music & Entertainment
• Startup Showcase
• Networking with founders, investors, mentors, alumni, and community leaders
  

Event Agenda
5:00 PM | Doors Open & Registration Begins

Guests are invited to check in, explore the startup showcase, visit exhibitor booths, and connect with innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders from across Niagara.

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Opening Ceremonies

Join us for welcome remarks, special announcements, and a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the growing startup ecosystem in Niagara.

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Startup Pitch Competition

Watch six innovative founders take the stage to pitch their businesses live to a panel of judges and a community audience.

Featured Companies:

• Pure Botanica Company (Annie Hejripour, Founder): botanical-based functional beverages designed to support wellness through natural ingredients and sustainable sourcing, blending flavour, health benefits, and plant-powered formulations.
• ASEL Inc. (Alvaro Benavides, Founder): resuable personal protective equipment for the agriculture sector, engineered to protect workers in demanding environments and support safer, more sustainable farm operations.
• Maman Biomedical (Latchmi Raghunanan, Co-Founder): reshaping how hormones are delivered by eliminating needles and enabling stable, sustained dosing. Maman Biomedical reduces the physical and emotional burden of treatment, expanding access for patients who may otherwise avoid or be excluded from care.
• L&R Auction (Lori Perri,Co-Founder): secure weekly online auctions with new deals launched every Monday. Customers can bid conveniently online and choose local pickup or shipping, while sellers can access consignment and online fundraising services.
• Reverse 1 Percent (RV1%) (Nikko Deschamps, Founder): a purpose-driven clothing brand committed to reversing the imbalance and reducing food insecurity for families across Niagara Falls and the surrounding region. 10% of all proceeds are donated to its charity partner, GROW Community Kitchen, turning every purchase into an opportunity to create meaningful change.
• The Courage 2 Be You (Mason Coates, Founder): a specialized coaching company that helps athletes, coaches, teams, and leaders build confidence, strengthen emotional resilience, improve performance, and become their most authentic selves through personalized, data-driven support.

Learn about emerging technologies, innovative products, and inspiring entrepreneurial journeys as founders compete for recognition and prizes.

8:00 PM | Kids Zone Closes

The Kids Zone programming concludes for the evening.

8:15 PM | Pitch Competition Awards & Winner Announcement

Join us as we recognize the outstanding pitches of the evening and announce the recipients of this year's awards.

Startup Showcase | 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Throughout the evening, explore exhibitor booths, meet local entrepreneurs, discover innovative products and services, and build connections within Niagara's growing innovation ecosystem.

Agenda

🕑: 05:00 PM
Doors Open & Registration Begins

Info: Guests are welcome to arrive, check in, explore the exhibitor booths, and connect with members of Niagara's innovation ecosystem before the formal program begins.

🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Opening Ceremonies

Info: Kick off the evening with welcome remarks, special guest acknowledgements, program updates, and a celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Niagara.

🕑: 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Startup Pitch Competition

Info: Watch local entrepreneurs pitch their businesses live to a panel of judges and audience members.

🕑: 08:30 PM
Closing Ceremonies: Pitch Competition Awards & Winner Announcement

Info: Join us as we recognize the top-performing pitches and announce the competition winners. The evening concludes with final networking opportunities with exhibitors.