Circular Entrepreneurs

In 2025, the RCA launched Big Shot – a live pitch event at Edmonton Unlimited showcasing Alberta’s leading circular innovators.

Five selected entrepreneurs presented their circular business ideas to an audience of “Big Shots” — attendees included potential investors, partners, and community leaders — who voted for their favourite pitch.

Congratulations to the winning presenter in 2025 -Connected Kitchen. They earned recognition and the opportunity for a featured spot at next year’s RCA Circular Economy Conference.

View the pitch videos from 2025 below.

Blenderz Garment Recyclers

You know how so much clothing ends up in landfills overseas and how the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters on the planet? 

At Blenderz Garment Recyclers, we’re changing that by processing over 1.5 tons of textiles every week back into the local economy through a no export, landfill or incineration, zero waste system. 

We’re growing fast to keep up with demand. Imagine if every city had a center like this, turning waste into jobs, resources and real environmental impact. 

Circular Supply Inc. is an Indigenous-owned company transforming how industries handle PPE waste.

We combine customizable safety gloves with the world’s first incentivized PPE recycling program, helping corporations reduce landfill waste and meet ESG goals.

Our mission is to close the loop on industrial waste while generating jobs, giving back to our communities, and creating measurable environmental impact across Alberta.

Connected Kitchen Management – 2025 Winner

You know how community centers, churches, and cultural halls have these great commercial kitchens that mostly sit empty while the groups that operate them struggle to stay afloat?

We help them put those spaces to work as engines of impact—making it simple to rent them out so they actually generate steady income without an additional draw on their limited resources.

Imagine if every underused community kitchen was buzzing—feeding people, funding programs, and keeping food and money circulating right where it belongs. It’s already happening, and we’re making it scalable.

Growling Stitch is an upcycling slow fashion brand based in Edmonton that transforms discarded textiles into new garments and accessories. We bridge creative design and science to demonstrate how waste can be revalued through craftsmanship and material understanding.

Hydrizer

Did you know Canada imports over $1 billion worth of fertilizers every year? And yet, we also produce more waste per person than any country on Earth!

Imagine solving both problems with one innovation, turning waste into clean energy and value-added products instead of carbon emissions.

That’s exactly what Hydrizer does; Hydrizer is a plug-and-play, AI-powered bio-chemical system that transforms organic waste into green hydrogen and sustainable fertilizers.

Disclaimer: This event provides a platform for entrepreneurs to share their circular business ideas. Participation does not imply RCA endorsement of specific businesses, technologies, or claims.

Thanks to our 2025 sponsors and supporters:

Lead Sponsor: City of Edmonton

Event Sponsors: