2026 Enterprize Challenge finalists named
Six entrepreneurs from across the North Okanagan make it to the finale!
VERNON, BC—From self-defense training to sensory support clothing, Enterprize Challenge 2026 finalists are bringing exciting business ideas from all corners of the North Okanagan.
Presented by Agile, the 11th annual Enterprize Challenge will culminate in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on May 7th, 2026. Over the past three months, the Challengers worked with local business mentors and attended workshops as they refined their business plans and polished their pitches.
“We experienced a record-setting year of registrations for Enterprize Challenge,” says Margo Fleming, Business Services Manager with Community Futures North Okanagan. “The judges were so inspired by the array of businesses and ideas presented at the First Pitches, they decided to choose 6 Finalists instead of the planned 5 Finalists.”
At the Finale Event on May 7th, the winners of the Enterprize Challenge will be chosen by the judges and the 1st Place recipient will take home a prize package of over $24,000 in start-up capital and business professional services.
The 2026 Enterprize Challenge Finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Kurtis (left), Jordan (centre) and Chey (right) of Frog Pockets.
Chey Kidd & Kurtis Peskleway, Frog Pockets
Chey Kidd and Kurtis Peskleway are the creators of Frog Pockets: a unique pocket-focused clothing brand revolutionizing sensory regulation for adults. Inspired by their young daughter and their lived experience as queer, neurodivergent community leaders, they’re addressing a widespread, socially stigmatized “age-out” issue where sensory tools aren’t designed for adulthood.
Frog Pockets offers a creative solution: special pockets with magnetic, snap-in pocket liners. These removable liners come in dozens of textures, from soft fur to 3D-printed scales, creating a custom sensory tool that adapts to your own sensory needs. They’re continuously innovating new designs and empowering real voices through a supportive online Discord community. Whether you’re calming an overwhelmed nervous system or sharpening your focus, their pocket liners are easy, inclusive, and perfectly hidden for everyday use: “A personal pocket dimension, right at your fingertips!”
Raffaella (right) and Crispin (left) of Gallery Artiva.
Crispin Lipscomb & Raffaella Vaz, Gallery Artiva
Located in the heart of Silver Star Village, Gallery Artiva is a vibrant hub for mountain art culture, co-founded by two-time Olympic snowboarder Crispin Lipscomb and renowned artist Raffaella Vaz. Together, they have created more than just a gallery and gift shop; they have built a dynamic platform where local artists, writers, and craftspeople can connect directly with residents and international visitors alike.
Crispin and Raffaella are dedicated to storytelling, frequently hosting showcase events and fundraising projects that allow creators to engage with their followers. By providing a professional space for fine arts education and community events, Gallery Artiva serves as a vital bridge between the creative talent of the valley and the adventurous spirit of the mountains.
Katie of NeuroNest Okanagan.
Katie Cameron, NeuroNest Okanagan
Through her frontline work in family homes, Katie has witnessed the heartbreak of children failed by mainstream systems and the exhaustion of parents searching for a true sense of belonging. Katie’s vision is to replace this isolation with a place of community. NeuroNest Okanagan is designed to bridge this gap: a multidisciplinary, one-stop hub built around the core needs of neurodivergent youth-safety, sensory-informed environments, autonomy, and individualized support.
By housing care, education, assessment, and neurodiversity-affirming therapy services under one roof, NeuroNest reduces the stress and trauma often triggered by fragmented systems, repeated transitions, and unfamiliar environments. NeuroNest Okanagan isn’t just a clinic; it is a sanctuary where informed practitioners meet families exactly where they are, fostering an environment where safety leads to connection, and connection makes anything possible.
Sara of KNOL HAUS.
Sara Knol, KNOL HAUS
Sara Knol is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years supporting families through neurodiversity and burnout. She is also a mother of two autistic teens and made a promise that when life settled down, she would find a way to show up for families the way she wished someone had shown up for hers. That promise is KNOL HAUS: longer sessions, hands-on support, walks instead of waiting rooms. Sara has become the black sheep of counselling and is now extending that approach from her individual practice into a physical space.
During COVID, her family purchased three acres of forest just minutes from Vernon, now a nature-based wellness campus where practitioners rent private forest cabins to work with clients in a setting that supports integration and reflection.
Before KNOL HAUS, Sara founded TOP KNOT Events, planning over 100 weddings across the Okanagan and creating spaces that felt as good as they looked. When something is missing, Sara builds it. KNOL HAUS is next.
Sarah of StrongHER Self-Defense.
Sarah Draht, StrongHER Self-Defense
Sarah Draht is redefining personal safety through StrongHER Self-Defense, a trauma-informed program built on a clear mission: educating and empowering women to move through the world with strength, awareness, and confidence. Drawing on her background in protective services and championship-level martial arts, Sarah developed a curriculum built for fitness, designed for safety, and powered by community.
By combining practical kickboxing and self-defense with real-world pressure drills, Sarah helps women move beyond simple “awareness” to recognize early warning signs and manage fear responses in real-time. StrongHER has become a vital resource in the North Okanagan, delivering sold-out workshops that replace reactive fear with grounded capability.
Sarah’s vision extends beyond the gym; she is transforming personal safety into essential community infrastructure through partnerships with workplaces and community organizations. For Sarah, safety isn’t a one-time lesson—it’s a movement making women fitter, safer, and stronger in the North Okanagan.
Tyler Patenaude, Pocket Grandson
Tyler of Pocket Grandson.
Tyler Patenaude is the tech-savvy problem solver behind Pocket Grandson, a personalized technical support service designed to take the frustration out of the digital age. Whether it’s a printer that refuses to connect, a cluttered device slowing down, or the daunting task of setting up a brand-new smartphone, Tyler provides hands-on assistance tailored to the user’s specific needs and budget.
What sets Tyler apart is his “on-site” approach; while traditional repair shops require customers to drop off devices for days, Tyler travels directly to his clients. He meets them wherever they are most comfortable, solving problems in real-time while teaching them how to navigate similar issues in the future.
From individuals seeking to master new skills to small businesses needing an on-call technician, Tyler serves as a patient, reliable guide. His mission is to ensure that technology remains a helpful tool rather than a source of stress, providing expert troubleshooting with a personal touch.
Join this year’s finalists for a night of live pitching in front of a panel of volunteer judges on May 7th, 2025 at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Doors open at 5 p.m. Pitches start at 6 p.m. with the winners announced before the finale ends at 8 p.m. Tickets are available here.
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