UTE 12 Days of Startups 2025
Discover a collection of one-of-a-kind gifts and support UTE local
Get to know the brands that are redefining the beauty, health, food, beverage, apparel and education sectors and discover products you won’t find anywhere else. Besides finding the perfect holiday gift, you can feel good knowing your purchase supports UTE local!
- Follow @uoftstartup on Instagram and participate in our 12 Days of Startups campaign from December 1 – 12. Like, comment and share our posts for your chance to win one of three prize packs, which will include gifts from the following 12 startups.
- Browse our curated startup gift guide below and find exclusive discount codes to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
- Meet a few of these startups at the U of T Startup Holiday Market on December 10 at the U of T Bookstore.
Radiant Living
For brands that focus on personal care, skincare, and enhancing well-being:
Blair&Jack
This simple and effective Treatment ushered the creation of a full skincare line with cleansers and moisturizers as a direct to consumer product for men’s skin problems. Their products are designed for men of colour and any man with curly hair texture who may experience irritation after shaving and is looking to invest in his skincare.
Promo code: UofT for 20% off
Founded by Bimpe Ayeni
Affiliation: Black Founders Network
Elemental Notes
Elemental Notes offers plant-based wellness products designed to support your body and mind through every stage of life. Their formulas are crafted to improve digestion, reduce stress, and relieve everyday discomforts like pain and tension, naturally and effectively. Their focus is on prevention, helping people maintain balance and avoid chronic health issues before they start. From teas to cosmetics, each product assists you in living a better lifestyle.
Promo code: #UOFT12DAYS
Founded by Nairobi Vision, RH
Affiliation: SICIEEIL
La Luméa
La Luméa is a unisex skincare brand born from the mission to empower those with sensitive and melanin-rich skin to achieve visible, transformative results they can truly see and feel. Our formulas are developed with science-backed ingredients to brighten, protect, and nurture every complexion without compromise. Driven by inclusivity, transparency, and holistic care, every La Luméa product is rigorously tested, vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harsh additives.
Founded by Busayo Ladapo
Affiliation: Black Founders Network, Creative Destruction Lab & U of T Alumni
Pospone
Pospone is a Toronto-based clean hair-care brand created by hairstylist and U of T entrepreneur Kim Ng. After years behind the chair, Kim realized how conventional dry shampoos, often aerosol-based, alcohol-based, or contaminated with benzene, were harming women’s hair and health. Pospone reimagines dry shampoo as a plant-based, non-aerosol ritual that nourishes instead of harms. Every formula is alcohol-free and crafted with ingredients like aloe, French green clay, and Vitamin C Ester for a naturally fresh scalp.
Promo code: UOFTHOLIDAY15 for 15% off
Founded by Kim Ng
Affiliation: ICUBE
Artful Gifting
Sleepy Eve Studio
Sleepy Eve Studio offers handmade clay crafts and custom charms, each piece individually sculpted and designed with attention to detail. From adorable character charms to personalized art pieces, every creation is crafted to bring whimsy and personality to your collection. Whether you’re looking for unique accessories, decorative pieces, or custom commissions tailored to your vision, each item is a one-of-a-kind work of art made with care. They offer a variety of options from cake toppers, charms, key chains or ornaments, and more.
Founded by Brandon Price
Affiliation: U of T Alumni & Centre for Entrepreneurship
Cozy Comfort
Minoa Home Inc.
MINOA designs premium, ethically crafted towels and home textiles made from natural fibres, including Aegean cotton, linen, and hemp. Each piece blends timeless luxury with conscious living; soft, durable, and designed to last. Rooted in Turkish artisan heritage and based in Toronto, MINOA creates minimalist, sustainable essentials for bath, home, and travel. Every product embodies the brand’s mission of comfort with purpose: for every towel purchased, one is donated to a women’s shelter, ensuring that luxury feels good and does good.
Promo code: UOFT25OFF for 25% off
Founded by Fatih Tandogan
Affiliation: ICUBE
My Dorm Store
My Dorm Store makes move-in day simple and stress-free for students and their families. They partner directly with university residences across Canada to create curated move-in packages that include everything students need for their dorm – from bedding and towels to everyday essentials. Packages are delivered straight to residence before the students arrive, so they can settle in comfortably from day one.
Promo code: 12DAYS
Founded by Arlyne James
Affiliation: ICUBE, The Bridge & The Hatchery
Bespoke fashion
FWPT Streetwear
Toronto-born streetwear clothing brand, FWPT, believes that people’s differences should be celebrated. As the world continues to evolve, FWPT’s commitment will remain the same: every time someone wears FWPT, it serves as a reminder for them to forget what people think and revel in their uniqueness.
Promo code: VARSITYBLUES2025
Founded by Koby Lee
Affiliation: Centre for Entrepreneurship
Delicious Delights
GINNY
Ginny is a premium functional beverage brand reimagining how people drink naturally. They craft non-alcoholic social spritzers infused with 4,000 mg of adaptogens, five times more than what’s on shelf, to help you unwind, focus, and feel good without the buzz. Inspired by West African and South Asian roots, Ginny merges culture and science through botanicals like hibiscus, yuzu, ginger, blueberry, and calamansi.
Promo code: UOFTHOLIDAY15 for 15% off all orders at drinkginny.com through December 31
Founded by Bianci Mensah
Affiliation: Black Founders Network
The Sea Moss Guy Inc.
The Sea Moss Guy Inc. is a Canadian brand bringing the power of Sea Moss to your wellness routine. Never heard of Sea Moss? It’s a nutrient-rich superfood from the Caribbean known for boosting energy, supporting digestion, strengthening immunity, and improving overall wellness.
Promo code: UOFT15
Founded by Dezie St.Hilaire
Affiliation: Black Founders Network
Yogi Delights
Yogi Delights creates everything from custom cakes and desserts to protein snacks and energy bites, with options that meet a variety of dietary needs and preferences. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or just love good dessert, all of their products are made fresh to order using quality, preservative-free ingredients. From birthdays and weddings to cozy nights in, consider Yogi Delights for your next celebration and special moment.
Promo code: UTE10OFF
Founded by Sajan Soni
Affiliation: The Bridge & U of T Alumni
Future Explorers
Indus Space Inc.
Indus Space hosts products and programs that introduce youth to the wonders of space exploration and its connections to Science, Tech, Engineering, Math. As a social enterprise, their goal is to showcase how Canada has a strong presence on the global stage, introduce the variety in career pathways beyond astronauts, and to celebrate the diversity of people working in the space sector. Through several program styles, participants use a hands-on approach to learn about astronomy, geology, geography, engineering, and space missions.
Promo code: STARTUP15! for 15% off orders more than 20$
Founded by Bhairavi Shankar
Affiliation: ICUBE & InnovED
Looking for more? We have a variety of U of T startups selling products that would make perfect holiday gifts! Visit our Startup Marketplace to browse the collection.
Happy holidays from U of T Entrepreneurship!