How Winning the TELUS #StandWithOwners $200K Grand Prize Changed ZoRaw
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The Mississauga-based craft chocolate brand was named one of six grand prize winners in Canada's largest small business contest, receiving over $200,000 in funding, technology, and national recognition.
ZoRaw Chocolates was selected as one of six grand prize winners in the fifth annual TELUS #StandWithOwners program, the company announced. Each winner receives over $200,000 in combined funding, advertising, and technology, with TELUS having invested $5 million through the program since 2020 to support small Canadian businesses.
The 2024 cohort received the highest application count in the program's history. Twenty businesses were recognized in total. Alongside ZoRaw, the grand prize winners were Blume Superfoods, Happly Ai, Kidcrew Medical, Stoko Apparel, and Legends Haul. Full announcement coverage is available at Bakers Journal.
What the prize unlocked
The funding has directly enabled ZoRaw to scale manufacturing capacity to 30,000 chocolate bars per shift in its Mississauga, Ontario factory. The investment supported expanded automation, additional hiring (the team now stands at 12 employees), and continued research and development into new functional confectionery formats.
Co-founded by Gigi Gill, a University of Waterloo biochemistry graduate, and her partner Tanveer, ZoRaw produces protein-fortified, fibre-rich chocolates with no added sugar and no refined sugar spike, made with fair-trade cacao.
"The entrepreneurial journey can be isolating, and often the hard work goes unrecognized for a long time. This recognition from TELUS has given us further inspiration to continue our journey, combining innovation, technology, and health to create the best products."
Gigi Gill, ZoRaw Chocolates Co-founderWhat the program rewards
The #StandWithOwners program evaluates applicants on innovation, technology adoption, and proven growth trajectories. Roi Ross, Senior Vice-President and President of Small and Medium Business at TELUS, said the grand prize winners stood out for their dedication to growing and innovating their businesses with passion, purpose, and perseverance.
"They stood out for their dedication to continually grow and innovate their businesses with passion, purpose and perseverance."
Roi Ross, TELUS Senior Vice-President & President, Small and Medium BusinessWhere ZoRaw goes from here
ZoRaw products are now available in more than 4,000 stores across Canada, including Metro, Sportchek, 7-Eleven, Longo's, Fortinos, Familiprix, Nature's Fare, and Thrifty's/Healthy Planet. The brand continues to invest in innovation-led manufacturing using AI and automation, with the long-term goal of serving the 1 in 3 Canadians who are pre-diabetic or diabetic. The full ZoRaw collection is available at zorawchocolates.ca/collections/all.
FAQ
What is the TELUS #StandWithOwners program?
The TELUS #StandWithOwners program is an annual competition supporting Canadian small businesses. Since 2020, TELUS has invested $5 million through the program. In 2024, twenty businesses were recognized, with six grand prize winners each receiving over $200,000 in combined funding, advertising, and technology. ZoRaw Chocolates was one of the six grand prize winners.
Who were the other TELUS #StandWithOwners 2024 grand prize winners?
Alongside ZoRaw, the 2024 grand prize winners were Blume Superfoods, Happly Ai, Kidcrew Medical, Stoko Apparel, and Legends Haul. Full details are available at Bakers Journal.
What did ZoRaw use the TELUS prize funding for?
The prize enabled ZoRaw to scale manufacturing capacity to 30,000 bars per shift, invest in automation and innovation-led manufacturing, expand the team, and advance R&D on new products.
How many ZoRaw chocolate bars are produced each day?
Following the capacity expansion enabled by the TELUS prize, ZoRaw has the ability to produce 30,000 chocolate bars per shift. ZoRaw operates its own full chocolate factory in Mississauga, Ontario, manufacturing all products in-house.
Where can I buy ZoRaw chocolates?
ZoRaw is available at more than 4,000 store locations across Canada, including Metro, Sportchek, 7-Eleven, Longo's, Fortinos, Familiprix, Nature's Fare, and Thrifty's/Healthy Planet. The full range is online at zorawchocolates.ca/collections/all.
