Edmonton sisters’ 7 Summit Snacks wins $10,000 Mastercard fund to grow fitness chocolate
Edmonton’s 7 Summit Snacks wins $10,000 Mastercard award to expand fitness chocolate and energy bar sales, locally boosting online marketing and business training.
Sister-owned Edmonton company 7 Summit Snacks has been awarded a $10,000 small-business fund from Mastercard targeted at women entrepreneurs. The prize will be used primarily to increase the firm’s online advertising reach for its line of fitness chocolate and energy bars. The founders say the investment and accompanying business training will accelerate their direct-to-consumer growth.
Fund supports women-owned businesses and marketing plans
The Mastercard award is part of a program designed to back small enterprises owned by women and to provide curated leadership education. For 7 Summit Snacks, the $10,000 prize will be dedicated to online advertising spend to drive sales through the company website. The founders described the combination of cash and training as a tactical boost for a business that has relied heavily on digital channels.
The co-founders said the funding will allow them to target athletes and endurance consumers with refined campaigns. They plan to allocate resources to paid social media, search, and content production to highlight product benefits. Leadership modules provided by the award will be used to strengthen their marketing and operations strategies.
Product profile: energy bars formulated for workouts
7 Summit Snacks produces five chocolate energy bar flavours — four dark varieties and one milk chocolate option — formulated as quick sources of carbohydrates, caffeine and key nutrients. The bars are positioned to provide athletes with an on-the-go source of energy and iron without the heaviness some sport snacks can cause. Packaging and ingredient choices reflect the founders’ focus on performance-oriented snacking rather than indulgence alone.
The product development draws on sports nutrition principles, with attention to carbohydrate-to-protein balance and caffeine levels appropriate for pre- or mid-workout consumption. The co-founders highlight that the bars are intended to sit comfortably in an athlete’s routine, replacing less-effective snacks that can leave consumers feeling sluggish. Sales are currently concentrated online where customers can learn about individual flavours and nutritional profiles.
Founders’ backgrounds and product origins
Kristyn Carriere, who holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and food science from the University of Alberta, worked in product development for Cadbury in England before returning to Edmonton. Her sister, Leanna, competed as a national team pole vaulter and later moved into endurance sports, experiences that shaped the product concept. The sisters launched 7 Summit Snacks in 2019 after asking a simple question: can chocolate be eaten while playing sports?
That practical, athlete-first inquiry guided formulation and flavour decisions, the founders said. Leanna’s firsthand insights into pre- and mid-event fueling needs were paired with Kristyn’s technical knowledge of ingredients and consumer preferences. Together they developed a chocolate-based energy product designed for active lifestyles rather than casual confectionery.
Business model and digital-first strategy
Since its founding, 7 Summit Snacks has pursued a digital-first sales approach, relying on its website and social channels to reach customers across Canada. The founders said the online model allows them to test flavours, gather consumer feedback and scale advertising quickly. The Mastercard funds are intended to amplify those efforts and improve conversion rates from online traffic.
Direct-to-consumer sales also enable the company to retain stronger margins and maintain control over product storytelling. The sisters emphasized the importance of targeted content that explains why their bars differ from traditional candy or generic energy snacks. Investment in advertising, they say, will help translate awareness into repeat purchases.
Ambitions for international expansion and production in Edmonton
Kristyn told media she believes 7 Summit Snacks has the potential to become an international brand, with plans to enter the United States and European markets within five years. The company’s manufacturing and operations are based in Edmonton, which the founders describe as a supportive environment for small food businesses. They view local production as an asset for quality control and for telling a growth story rooted in Alberta.
Expansion plans include broadening distribution channels beyond direct sales to selected retailers and online marketplaces. Entering the U.S. and Europe will require regulatory reviews, logistics planning and scaled production, all areas the founders say they will address as revenues grow. The Mastercard award and training are seen as early, practical steps toward those larger goals.
The founders said their experience at multinational and elite-sport levels has informed both product design and long-term strategy. They expect the coming months’ marketing push to clarify which flavours and formats resonate most with broader athletic audiences.
The $10,000 award and business training are intended to be a catalyst, not a finish line, for 7 Summit Snacks as it seeks to convert its niche fitness chocolate into a sustainable brand. The sisters plan to reinvest initial gains into product development, supply chain improvements and measured expansion opportunities.
