TELUS this month announced the winners of its sixth annual #StandWithOwners contest for small businesses in Canada—and Sepura is among them.

The smart under-sink composter technology was developed by Victoria-based startup Sepura Home, which had that April secured seed financing for a product that separates more than 99% of solid waste going down the drain while allowing liquids to flow through, leaving a sealed and odourless container of food waste.

In 2025, the B.C. company iterated its technology, launching a new automated version called Root.

To secure capital for the launch of Root, Sepura Home turned to the Kickstarter platform, where the campaign reached its goal $14,000 in four minutes—ultimately raising nearly $200K.

“The thousands of applications we reviewed this year told remarkable stories of businesses that have truly Made It in Canada,” stated Katherine Emberly, President of Small and Medium Business at TELUS.

The grand prize winners each receive a $200,000 prize package from TELUS, including $75,000 in direct funding, $80,000 in advertising and business exposure, $35,000 in technology, and $10,000 in TELUS Health wellbeing support.

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