ConeLabs Transforms Pitch Victory in Waterloo Region into Tangible Government Projects

In November 2024, Albert Mansour, the CEO and co-founder of ConeLabs, experienced a pivotal moment for his company at the Communitech Fast Track Cities showcase in Kitchener. The event, held at the Kitchener Public Library, gathered 10 startups from across Canada, all presenting innovative solutions to address municipal challenges such as transportation, tourism management, and infrastructure inspections. ConeLabs received both the $25,000 best pitch award and the Audience Choice Award, igniting a surge of momentum for the business.

The showcase was part of a collaborative initiative between Communitech, the City of Kitchener, and the Municipal Innovation Council. ConeLabs distinguished itself, leading to its selection for the Pitch Kitchener program, through which it received $100,000 in pilot funding to inspect local bridges and roadways. Mansour expressed that “Pitch Kitchener was a turning point,” noting it opened doors to government opportunities that had previously felt distant. Following this success, ConeLabs expanded its operations to include bridge inspections and asset evaluations across multiple provinces.

ConeLabs has aimed to address the critical shortage of qualified infrastructure inspectors at a time when North America's infrastructure is aging rapidly. Using advanced technology, the company innovates in visual inspections of structures like bridges and buildings, capturing images and transforming them into 3D models to identify defects through artificial intelligence. Mansour emphasized the urgency of their mission in light of recent structural failures, including the collapse of the Rainy River Rail Lift Bridge in Ontario and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Such incidents highlight the necessity for thorough inspections to prevent failures, underscoring the importance of adopting technology to enhance inspection processes.

Currently, ConeLabs is focused on bridge inspections, particularly a notable project involving the Blue Water Bridge in Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation. Their approach minimizes disruption through non-intrusive inspections using drones as data collection tools rather than as the core of their innovation. Mansour noted, “The real innovation is in how we process and analyze that data.”

ConeLabs’ foundation is rooted in the collaboration of engineers who chose Kitchener as their operational base. Initially, they underestimated the region's vibrant startup ecosystem. However, after engaging with the Communitech Fast Track Cities initiative, they recognized the immense value and potential of being part of such a community. Mansour acknowledged the alignment of their goals with the challenges identified in the program and the strategic advantage of accessing government decision-makers directly.

Looking forward, ConeLabs plans to broaden its technology application beyond bridges to include other types of infrastructure such as buildings and roadways. While their immediate focus remains on bridges, Mansour stated, “The technology can be applied to most structures,” indicating aspirations for even greater impact.

Mansour encourages other startup founders to leverage the ecosystem present in Waterloo Region, citing the area’s recognized strength in fostering innovation and success among startups. Their journey reinforces the importance of connecting with the community and utilizing available resources for growth and development.

For further information, visit ConeLabs at conelabs.ai and learn about Communitech Fast Track Cities at communitech.ca.