On May 28, 2025, CoWork Chilliwack was transformed into a hub of creativity, innovation, and community spirit. In partnership with Chilliwack Arts Council, Community Futures South Fraser proudly hosted the inaugural Art Startup Challenge, a business pitch competition designed to empower emerging artists in Chilliwack and Abbotsford to launch their creative ventures. The event marked the culmination of 8 weeks of dedicated support, business training, and collaboration for 16 artists.
Supporting Creative Startups in the Fraser Valley
The Art Startup Challenge wasn’t just a pitch night—it was a full-scale entrepreneurial accelerator tailored specifically for artists and makers in our region. Over the course of 8 weeks, the 16 participants engaged in a curriculum designed to take them from vision to viability.
Each week featured:
A focused workshop on essential business skills—from marketing and financial literacy to branding and more.
A guest speaker session, where established local creative entrepreneurs shared real-world insights, challenges, and encouragement. These conversations added an invaluable layer of mentorship and inspiration, helping participants connect the dots between art and entrepreneurship.
In addition to the group sessions, participants were supported with:
One-on-one advisory sessions
Guidance on how to prepare financial projections and a business plan
Practice sessions to refine their final pitch presentations
By the time they reached the finale, these creative entrepreneurs had not only grown their business skills, they had formed a supportive peer network, gained confidence, and built momentum for the next stage of their entrepreneurial journeys.
This hands-on, community-supported approach reflects our belief that entrepreneurial success isn’t built in isolation. Through collaboration, coaching, and real-world learning, we’re proud to foster a space where local creativity can thrive and scale sustainably.
Meet the Winners
We are thrilled to introduce this winners, 2 creative entrepreneurs whose talent, vision, and dedication truly shone on pitch night.
🎉 Grand Prize Winner – Brooke Cote (@bookingbrooke)
Brooke is a Chilliwack-based photographer specializing in creative portraits and editorial photography for musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs. Her bold aesthetic and passion for visual storytelling wowed both the judges and the audience. With her $5,000 award, Brooke is ready to elevate her brand and expand her creative business across the Fraser Valley and beyond.
🌟 People’s Choice Award – Maddi Krulicki (@maddikrulicki)
Maddi is a multidisciplinary creative—musician, producer, designer, and merch maker—on a mission to empower emerging artists. Her initiative, No Labels, helps creators build independent, artist-led careers by offering resources and mentorship rooted in creative ownership. Learn more at nolabelsstudio.ca.
Of course, every single one of the 16 participants brought originality, energy, and courage to the program. Whether this was their first step into entrepreneurship or a leap toward expansion, they each made this challenge unforgettable. We’re so proud of this 2025 cohort.
With Gratitude: Our Partners, Sponsors, and Supporters
The success of the Art Startup Challenge was a true community effort, and we’re especially grateful to our lead program partner, the Chilliwack Arts Council. Their collaboration brought invaluable depth to our programming, helping bridge the gap between artistic development and business readiness.
Throughout the 8 week program, participants gathered at the Chilliwack Museum, where they took part in business workshops and were inspired by local creative entrepreneurs who shared their real-world journeys. The grand finale pitch night was hosted at CoWork Chilliwack, whose dynamic space helped amplify the energy, creativity, and excitement of the evening.
We also extend sincere thanks to our sponsors and supporters.
And of course, thank you to everyone who showed up to cheer on our participants, cast your votes, and support local entrepreneurs. Your involvement fuels the kind of grassroots economic development we’re proud to foster.
Watch the Full Pitch Event and Finalist Pitches on YouTube
Couldn’t make it to the Art Startup Challenge Pitch Night? You can still experience the creativity and energy of the event!
Click here to watch the full live pitch event on our YouTube channel.