Better Business Pitch Competition
Safe Haven Sault Ste. Marie has won the 2026 Bridges to Better Business Pitch Competition, taking home a $15,000 prize package at the annual event on October 22.
Around 150 people attended the event at Delta Hotels Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront, bringing together local entrepreneurs and business leaders for an evening of networking, discussion and recognition.
The competition was a close contest between finalists Safe Haven Sault Ste. Marie and The Sunny Bean Play Cafe.
Safe Haven, founded by Ashley Juby, took first place, while The Sunny Bean Play Cafe received a $5,000 runner-up prize package.
This year’s event also marked the 10th anniversary of the Millworks Centre for Entrepreneurship, which was established in 2016 through a partnership between the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation and the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
“Millworks has been part of the City’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs for ten years,” said Tom Vair, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Sault Ste. Marie. “We’re proud of what this partnership has helped build and look forward to seeing small businesses, like those represented at Bridges to Better Business, continue to grow.”
The evening also featured a panel discussion exploring this year’s BDC Small Business Week theme, “It’s a Two-Speed World Now — Fast or Finished.”
Moderated by Brandon Walker, editor of SooToday, the panel featured local business leaders Jeff Greco, Sherry Berlinghoff and Brad Gregorini, who shared perspectives on the pressures facing small businesses and adapting to a changing business environment.
Terry O’Reilly, the award-winning broadcaster and host of Under the Influence, delivered the keynote address, drawing on his experience in marketing and advertising.
The evening also recognized a young local business owner. Anthony Joseph Carbone, 17-year-old founder of Northern Lights Co., received the Summer Company Award for his work as a young entrepreneur.
Alongside the Top Two finalists, the tradeshow featured local businesses BookStaff, Hearterra, K9 Mobile Nails and Grooming, MamaCass Cheesecakes, Northern Lights Co., PUSH Indoor Cycling Studio and Sunnd Eco Resort.
The event also raised $1,000 for The Soup Kitchen Community Centre, with PUC supporting the fundraising initiative as a matching partner.
Millworks was established in 2016 through a partnership between the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation and the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
Since then, more than 120 students have completed the Summer Company program, and more than 80 entrepreneurs have received Starter Company Plus grants. Together, the provincially funded programs have provided approximately $790,000 in grants to local entrepreneurs over the past decade.
Bridges to Better Business began more than 20 years ago and continues to give local business owners a place to share ideas, make connections and learn from one another. Erica Hogan served as master of ceremonies for the event.
Bridges to Better Business was made possible with the support of Platinum Sponsors TD, BDC, OLG and the Economic Development Committee of Sault Ste. Marie; Event Partners Dig Inc., SooToday, Algoma University and PUC; Gold Sponsor Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie (CDC); Silver Sponsors Arauco and Echotech; and Bronze Sponsors Aloe Accounting, Chamber of Commerce Sault Ste. Marie, Compass Imaging, Kevanna Fine Photography, Northern Ontario Angels (NOA), Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, SK Group and Wishart Law.