TechLife Today – “Convocation 2024: Mikayla Balfour Finds Her Fit”
June 2024
When NAIT profiled top graduates of the year, Mikayla stood out—not just for her grades, but for building a technical outerwear brand from scratch. This article dives into her journey from late-night designs to being named Student Entrepreneur of the Year, and how Nexarina is filling a gap major brands have long ignored.
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Taproot Edmonton – “Nexarina Founder Carves a Path for Women in Snow Sports”
May 2024
Taproot's feature highlights how Mikayla transformed frustration into innovation—bringing to life outerwear made to fit real women, not just industry standards. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at her grassroots hustle, early wins, and what’s next for Nexarina.
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YEG Startup Awards – Student Entrepreneur of the Year (Winner)
May 2024
Out of hundreds of student founders across Edmonton, Mikayla Balfour took home Student Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2024 YEG Startup Awards. Recognized for building Nexarina from the ground up—without investors, while working full-time—Mikayla’s win celebrates more than a business. It marks a movement. Nexarina is redefining women’s outerwear with inclusive sizing, advanced technical fabrics, and gear that finally fits.
→ See the full awards lineup
Edmonton Journal – “NAIT Grad Carves Path for Women in Snowboarding Gear”
March 2024
The Edmonton Journal spotlights Mikayla’s journey from business school to snow gear founder, creating Nexarina to fill a gap no one else would. With a focus on women’s fit, technical performance, and real inclusivity, the piece highlights how she’s bringing a fresh voice to an industry still stuck in old sizing standards.
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The Nugget – “NAIT Student Fills Gap in Women’s Winterwear Market”
December 2023
Before her first prototypes were even finalized, Mikayla was already getting noticed. This early interview breaks down how she’s designing for bodies often overlooked—and why Nexarina is the kind of startup that doesn’t wait around for permission.
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Sherwood Park News – “NAIT Grad Launches Snowboarding Outerwear Brand to Fit Women of All Sizes”
March 2024
Mikayla returns to her hometown paper—but this time, as the founder of a startup gaining national attention. The article explores how her lived experience on the mountain shaped Nexarina’s design-first approach to inclusive snow gear, engineered for bodies often ignored by the outdoor industry.
→ Read the article
In the News
Nexarina has been featured in local and national media for its bold approach to women’s snowboarding outerwear. Founded by Mikayla Balfour, Nexarina designs high-performance snow jackets, pants, and bibs made to fit women of all sizes—with inclusive sizing, technical fabrics, and rider-tested details. From startup pitch competitions to national publications like the Edmonton Journal, Tech Life Today, and Taproot Edmonton, our story is resonating across the industry. Learn more about how Nexarina is changing the game in women’s snow gear.