Zensurance, the Canadian online small business insurance provider, has named Next Level Property Management & Services Ltd. as the recipient of its 2026 Small Business Grant, a $10,000 award decided by a Canadian-wide public vote.
Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia-based Next Level, founded by Nate Wickens, was selected from thousands of applications. The company provides landscaping and property maintenance services with a strong community focus, including seniors' discounts and free weekly service for households in need.
“Winning the Zensurance Small Business Grant is a real driver of growth. It lets me reinvest in my company, buy new equipment and take on more property management contracts,” Wickens said. “The funding from Zensurance gives me the chance to grow my business by hiring local help and creating long-term value for our clients and the communities we serve.”
Businesses like Next Level sit squarely in the micro-SME segment that many commercial carriers view as a long-term growth engine. As the firm adds staff, vehicles and equipment, its risk profile, as well as the need for coverages such as commercial general liability, tools and equipment, will increase, often with expectations of quick, digital servicing.
Zensurance launched its Small Business Grant competition in 2023 to support Canadian entrepreneurs, start-ups and small business owners. Since then, the company has awarded $105,000 grants to Canadian businesses.
In the latest round, one winner received $10,000, while five other finalists each received $1,000. They are: Infinite Harvest Technologies in Niagara, Ontario, which converts food waste into reusable proteins and fertilizers using bioconversion technology; Toronto-based Ouroboros Deconstruction, which applies a circular approach to demolition, salvaging materials for reuse in new construction to keep usable materials out of landfills and reduce carbon emissions; Shore Peddlin’, based in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, which operates a vintage bicycle cart serving treats and locally made ice cream at private, corporate and community events year‑round; Toronto-based Geez Louise, which produces prebiotic sparkling water focused on hydration and gut health, and Calgary-based Mint & Matter, a tech‑forward cleaning company focused on structured operations and customer experience.
The finalist list reflects several sectors that have been in focus for Canadian commercial P&C carriers in recent years, including contracting and property services, food and beverage, construction‑related trades and tech‑enabled services. Many of these niches have seen tightening terms and pricing cycles since the late 2010s, making risk selection, loss control support and clear coverage education important differentiators for brokers and digital distributors working with first‑time insurance buyers.
“Small business owners are the lifeblood of the Canadian economy,” said Danish Yusuf, founder and CEO of Zensurance. “Through our grant competition, we aim to provide meaningful support to small businesses while inviting Canadians to learn about the inspiring entrepreneurs behind these businesses.”
Zensurance specializes in digital distribution of commercial insurance products to micro and small businesses, working with carrier partners to place package, liability and professional covers for sectors ranging from contractors and retail to professional services and hospitality.
Zensurance said past grant recipients have used the funding to scale their impact and serve more customers.
In 2025, Toronto‑based Steadiwear received a $10,000 Zensurance grant. The company designs non‑invasive, battery‑free stabilizing wearable technology to help reduce hand tremors for people with essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease. Its profile raises specialist product liability, clinical risk and regulatory considerations as the business grows.
“The grant from Zensurance helped us expand our demo kit program and invest in further research and development,” said Emile Maamary, co‑founder of Steadiwear. “Receiving this support at a critical time in our company’s development has helped propel our business, positively impacting the lives of even more Canadians.”
Previous grant recipients also include Demex Cakes in Saskatoon, which offers baking courses and mentorship to more than 200 female bakers, and SnuggleTooth’s SmileMobile, which provides mobile dental hygiene services to underserved communities in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Both are examples of community‑focused ventures with professional and regulatory exposures that can evolve quickly as they scale.
For the insurance sector, staying close to these kinds of businesses – through grant initiatives, accelerator partnerships or targeted SME campaigns – can provide an early view of shifting risks in the small business economy and inform product design, appetite and risk engineering for the next wave of commercial clients.
