The atmosphere at Ottawa City Hall yesterday was electric as young entrepreneurs from across the region displayed their creative ventures at the annual Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase. The event, coinciding with National Youth Week, brought together nearly 40 young business owners aged 12 to 25, offering a glimpse into the future of our local economy.
Walking through the showcase floor, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by these young innovators. From handcrafted jewelry to tech startups, the diversity of businesses reflected Ottawa’s vibrant youth culture.
“We’ve been planning this event for months,” said Melissa Karachi, Youth Programs Coordinator with the City of Ottawa. “These young entrepreneurs represent the next generation of business leaders in our community, and providing them this platform is crucial for their development.”
The showcase, now in its fifth year, has grown significantly since its inception. What began as a small gathering of about a dozen youth-led businesses has evolved into one of the city’s premier events for young entrepreneurs.
Among the standouts was 16-year-old Aiden Reynolds, founder of EcoTech Solutions, which creates sustainable household products from recycled materials. “Starting a business while still in high school has been challenging but incredibly rewarding,” Reynolds told me as he demonstrated his latest innovation – reusable food wraps made from beeswax and cotton.
The event wasn’t just about selling products. Workshop sessions throughout the day covered topics from social media marketing to financial literacy, providing practical knowledge that many schools don’t teach.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who attended the opening ceremony, emphasized the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. “These young people represent Ottawa’s innovative future,” Sutcliffe said. “Their creativity and determination remind us that entrepreneurship knows no age limits.”
Behind the scenes, the showcase was largely organized by youth themselves. The Youth Advisory Committee, composed of local students, handled everything from venue coordination to participant selection.
“We wanted to ensure this event was truly by youth, for youth,” explained Sophia Williams, 17, chair of the committee. “Who better understands what young entrepreneurs need than other young people?”
Parents and community members browsed the booths, many expressing surprise at the professional quality of the businesses. Local business owners also attended, some offering mentorship opportunities to participants.
Jennifer Singh, who started her jewelry business at 14 and is now 19, has participated in the showcase for three consecutive years. “My first year, I was terrified and barely sold anything,” she recalled with a laugh. “Now I’m mentoring first-timers and have expanded to an online store with customers across Canada.”
Statistics from the Ottawa Economic Development Corporation show that youth entrepreneurship in the city has increased by approximately 18% over the past five years, outpacing the national average of 12%.
“Events like this showcase are vital for encouraging this growth trend,” said Daniel Matheson, small business analyst with the corporation. “When young people see their peers succeeding in business, it normalizes entrepreneurship as a viable career path.”
The showcase also addressed challenges facing young entrepreneurs. A panel discussion featuring successful local business owners under 30 tackled topics including age-based discrimination and balancing business with education.
“I’ve had suppliers assume I’m just the messenger, not the actual business owner,” shared panel member Tariq Ahmed, 23, who runs a successful food delivery service. “But persistence pays off, and eventually, results speak for themselves.”
Community support for the event was evident, with local businesses donating prizes for a pitch competition held in the afternoon. The grand prize winner, 15-year-old Zoe Chen with her customized smartphone accessories business, received $1,500 in startup funding.
“I never expected to win,” Chen said, visibly emotional after the announcement. “This money will help me purchase equipment to expand my production capacity.”
For many attendees, the showcase highlighted the changing nature of career paths in the digital age. Traditional employment trajectories are being reimagined as young people increasingly create their own opportunities.
