Montréal-based startup Rozvelt announced on Monday that it has secured $3.1 million CAD in seed funding from a group of angel investors led by Benoit Robert, a partner at wealth management firm Evovest. The company, known for its odor-masking headgear for recreational hunters, is expanding into the defense sector. The capital will support development of breathable headgear for military, law enforcement, and first responder markets.
From Hunting Gear to Defense Applications
Rozvelt originally designed its Vektr consumer headgear to filter odor particles exhaled by the wearer while leaving inhaled particles unaffected. The product connects magnetically to an adjustable band that wraps around the head, with a removal clasp near each ear. The company has marketed the headgear to hunters, wildlife photographers, and nature observers who want to conceal their scent, but this initial focus began to shift after a key industry event.
A Pivot Fueled by Defense Demand
According to co-founder and CEO Nicholas Monette, the pivot began when Rozvelt presented at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, run by the US Firearm Industry Trade Association. At the event, hunters and defense companies approached the team and said there was a bigger problem the masks could tackle. They explained that shooting a gun can expose people to lead particles from ammunition, which are associated with health issues like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and kidney failure.
Dynamic Protection for Hazardous Environments
Those industry contacts suggested that Rozvelt make its headgear dynamic, allowing it to switch between filtering exhales to stop the wearer's scent and filtering inhales to protect the wearer from dangerous particles. Beyond lead exposure, the masks could serve as personal protective equipment fit for combat and other hazardous environments. That is now what the company plans to focus on with its fresh funding, in addition to starting production of the consumer Vektr product in Canada this fall.
Seed Funding and International Partnerships
The new funding will be directed toward broadening Rozvelt's breathable headgear product line for military, law enforcement, and first responder customers. Rozvelt has also established a partnership and planned distribution agreement with Japan's Seaprex, an industrial marine manufacturer with defense applications. This international alliance reflects the traction the startup has gained at defense shows and through its Canadian brand.
Canadian Identity as a Funding Tailwind
Although the company launched last year during the Canada-US trade war, Monette said its Canadian brand has been a tailwind in Europe and Asia. The startup attended major defense events including the International Defence Industry Exhibition in Poland, a NATO conference in Luxembourg, and SEECAT in Japan. Monette added that Rozvelt is looking to sell to the Canadian Armed Forces as soon as possible and remains open to pursuing deals with the US military.
Positioning for Growth in Defense
Rozvelt's expansion comes amid tens of billions of defense dollars committed by Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government and an explosion in support programs for companies making dual-use technologies. Monette noted that Canada's defense gold rush was not what prompted the switch, since international interest came first. The company's ability to address both civilian and military needs has made it an attractive partner for international investors.
The company's shift from recreational hunting gear to defense-focused protective equipment demonstrates how a consumer hardware product can evolve into a dual-use platform with wider market relevance. The $3.1 million CAD seed round provides resources to accelerate product development, manufacturing, and distribution across civilian and military channels. As Canadian defense innovation attracts global attention, Rozvelt is positioning itself to meet emerging safety needs for hunters, first responders, and defense personnel.
Source: betakit