black founders. your pitch.
get funded. no strings
5 Cities. Real Capital. Real Connections.CAPITAL, COMMUNITY, AND A STAGE FOR BLACK CANADIAN FOUNDERS.
PRESENTED BY:
FACE COALITION
☾
IN COLLABORATION WITH:
BLAXPO
☽
PRESENTED BY: FACE COALITION ☾ IN COLLABORATION WITH: BLAXPO ☽
AND THAT’S A WRAP ON
MELAMOON 2026!
IN FIRST PLACEM’LISA COLBERT - LE JRDN
$100,000 GRAND PRIZE
IN SECOND PLACEABDEL ALI - KIWI CHARGE
$50,000 SECOND PRIZE + PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
IN THIRD PLACENICHOLAS SIMON - MAUREEN SIMON FOODS
$25,000 THIRD PRIZE
Congratulations to all our finalists! M'Lisa Colbert, Abdel Ali, Nicholas Simon, Olaseni (Shaney) Cole, and Mukisa Kakembo
City Stops
5 Pit Stops. 1 Final Stage.
Each stop is an opportunity to connect, learn, and apply. Selected founders will pitch live in their city, with top founders advancing to one final stage.Melamoon brings together Black founders to pitch, connect, and compete for capital.
Built by The Federation of African Canadian Economics aka FACE Coalition in partnership with BLAXPO, Melamoon is a national pitch competition that serves as a launchpad for Black Canadian founders. Our goal? Connecting Black ventures and ideas to real capital, mentorship, and opportunity.
Each stop on the tour is a full-day experience: watch live pitch competitions, join a hands-on hackathon, and connect with Black entrepreneurs and investors from across the country.
One founder wins the pitch. Every founder wins access. Melamoon is your opportunity to learn how FACE Coalition — and their network of funding partners — are opening doors to financing for Black business owners across Canada.
Now in its second edition, the 2026 tour kicked off in Montréal and is heading coast to coast. We’re bringing real resources and real community to Black founders in every city we visit.
MEET the visionaries
FACE coalition
Founded in 2021, The Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) is a national and bilingual Black-led non-profit organization aimed at providing Black entrepreneurs in Canada with access to critical capital investments, working capital, and additional business resources for their success.
With the Government of Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada as key partners and funders, FACE administers the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (BELF) — a $160 million fund from which 591 loans (valued at over CAD 50 million) have been disbursed to over 500 Black-owned businesses across Canada as of May, 2025.
BLAXPO
BLAXPO is an economic and cultural platform designed to expand access, visibility, and opportunity for Black professionals, founders, and emerging talent.
We connect community to capital, insight, and infrastructure through curated experiences, strategic partnerships, and programming that reflects the realities of a rapidly evolving economy. From students navigating entry into the workforce to founders scaling ventures, BLAXPO creates pathways that support long-term participation, not just momentary exposure.
Grounded in cultural fluency and built for a digital-first future, BLAXPO exists to ensure that Black talent is not only seen, but sustainably supported.
our sponsors
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Interac is one of Canada’s most trusted financial networks, connecting people and businesses through secure, innovative payment solutions. As a national leader in digital payments, Interac supports initiatives that drive economic inclusion and opportunity for entrepreneurs across the country.
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The Government of Canada supports Black entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Program, which provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help Black-led businesses start, grow, and scale across the country.
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The Black Innovation Zone is a collaborative initiative designed to enhance the visibility and support of Black founders, investors, and professionals in Canada. By creating dedicated spaces for networking, learning, and growth, BIZ helps Black-led startups connect with the resources and communities they need to thrive.
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The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub is the national central hub for research, data, and insights on Black entrepreneurship ecosystems in Canada. Through its network of six regional hubs, BEKH co-creates community-focused research to ensure Black businesses are supported with evidence-based programs and policies.
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Porter Airlines connects communities across Canada and beyond with reliable, customer-focused air travel. With a commitment to supporting local businesses and economic growth, Porter is proud to partner with initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and strengthen communities.
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The Réseau des Femmes d’affaires du Québec is a leading nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the growth and influence of women entrepreneurs and business leaders. Through networking events, mentorship, and advocacy, RFAQ empowers women to build successful, sustainable businesses across Quebec and Canada.
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The Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC) is Canada’s first philanthropic foundation dedicated to Black communities. Established in 2020, FFBC invests in Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused organizations through grants, partnerships, and advocacy, while working to remove systemic barriers and ensure Black communities have the resources and agency to shape their own futures.
