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When international entrepreneurs Ryo Wu and Allison Le moved to Hamilton, they weren’t just looking for a place to start a business—they were searching for a place to build a community. Today, their startup, COOCO, is doing exactly that: bringing people together through food, technology, and shared purpose.

COOCO isn’t just another cooking app. It’s a social platform for home cooks that’s redefining how people plan meals, reduce waste, and connect with one another. But behind the tech is a powerful story of immigrant entrepreneurship, innovation, and the support of a city that helped turn vision into reality.

For Ryo, the idea behind COOCO was rooted in memory. Growing up in Asia, daily visits to fresh food markets made meal planning simple and waste minimal. But as modern life moved toward supermarkets and bulk buying, that simplicity was lost—and food waste increased.

The pandemic brought these challenges into sharp focus. With fewer grocery trips and overstocked fridges, families struggled to stay on top of what they had. That’s when Ryo envisioned an AI-powered kitchen assistant—one that could help people track ingredients, get personalized recipe suggestions, and waste less.

Together with Allison, COOCO was born—not just as an app, but as a movement to connect people through cooking.

The duo’s journey took a pivotal turn when they relocated to Hamilton through the Runway Program at Innovation Factory, an initiative that supports promising startups with mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic resources.

For Ryo, the decision to choose Hamilton was inspired by a city promo video titled “We Are Hamilton.” What started as curiosity quickly turned into conviction. “It wasn’t just about business,” he says. “It felt like a place where we could belong.”

In Hamilton, COOCO found more than just a home—they found a thriving ecosystem ready to support newcomers with big ideas.

Since moving to Hamilton, COOCO has grown from concept to community. In just over a year, the platform has attracted nearly 200,000 followers, built a robust ingredient and recipe database, and is now preparing for the launch of its website and mobile app.

But what truly sets COOCO apart is its mission-driven approach:

• Helping users save money by making the most of what they already have

• Empowering people to reduce food waste and cook more sustainably

• Offering exclusive deals from Canadian food vendors

• Creating an online space for cooks to share tips, recipes, and encouragement

“COOCO is about more than food,” says Allison. “It’s about connection. We’re building something that grows with its users—and brings people together.”

For many international entrepreneurs, success can feel like a moving target. For COOCO, it’s about impact, not just numbers.

Allison dreams of creating a COOCO-themed park—a space where families can cook, play, and bond in real life. In the meantime, the focus is on creating jobs, strengthening Hamilton’s local economy, and building something that truly matters.

Despite the demands of entrepreneurship, both founders make time to stay grounded. Ryo reconnects with nature on Hamilton’s scenic trails, while Allison finds joy discovering local ingredients at neighbourhood markets. These small moments, they say, keep them inspired.

Visit cooco.app to learn more, explore the platform, and join a growing community of home cooks who are transforming their kitchens—and their connection to food.

Hamilton could be the perfect place to launch your journey. Book a discovery call with Stefa Sokolowski to explore how the city can support your startup dreams.