CELLECT Laboratories and NovaSonix Healthcare Win $37.5K at TechAlliance’s Polaris Pitch Competition

On March 19, 2025, the TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario held its inaugural Polaris Pitch Competition at the London Music Hall, recognizing innovative ideas from early-stage technology founders. The competition concluded with two winners: CELLECT Laboratories and NovaSonix Healthcare Inc., who collectively received a prize package valued at $37,500.

CELLECT Laboratories, co-founded by Ibukun Elebute, focuses on enhancing reproductive health diagnostics using non-invasive, at-home collection devices. Through their patented nanotechnology, they aim to facilitate the detection of HPV and cervical cancer, promising higher accuracy in diagnostics. With the prize money, CELLECT Laboratories plans to bolster its research and development efforts and expedite the process of securing utility and design patents.

NovaSonix Healthcare Inc., led by CEO and co-founder Randa Mudathir, aims to transform musculoskeletal care through advanced 3D joint imaging. Their technology integrates seamlessly with existing ultrasound machines, providing a cost-effective solution to diagnose and monitor conditions such as osteoarthritis. Winning the competition will assist them in obtaining the necessary certifications for regulatory compliance, facilitating broader market access for their innovative product.

The Polaris Pitch Competition featured eight early-stage technology founders from Southwestern Ontario, who presented their ventures to a panel of distinguished Canadian investors. These investors included Albert Chen from Two Small Fish Ventures, Brian Cram from RHA Ventures, Danielle Graham from The Firehood, and Janet Bannister from Staircase Ventures. The event not only showcased the innovative spirit of entrepreneurs in the region but also highlighted the importance of local technologies in fostering business growth and innovation. Attendees had the opportunity to explore a tech showcase that presented various local technologies, emphasizing the importance of supporting Canadian innovations.

Christina Fox, the CEO of TechAlliance, expressed her excitement about the event, highlighting the remarkable talents of technology entrepreneurs within the region. She noted that the collective achievements of the founders are illustrative of the emerging and impressive technologies being developed in Southwestern Ontario. This region has been recognized for three consecutive years as one of the Top 10 Emerging Tech Markets in North America, a testament to the ingenuity and determination of local founders.

The Polaris Pitch Competition and tech showcase not only celebrate these entrepreneurs but also aim to inspire collaboration and the sharing of ideas that can drive future advancements. TechAlliance remains committed to supporting these ventures and advocating for the growth of technology-driven innovations that will have a lasting impact on the industry and society at large.

In summary, the inaugural Polaris Pitch Competition provided a platform to celebrate the innovative spirit of Southwestern Ontario's entrepreneurs, recognizing their contributions to the burgeoning tech landscape. CELLECT Laboratories and NovaSonix Healthcare Inc. emerged as winners, each poised to make significant strides in their respective fields with the aid of the competition's prizes. The event underscored the importance of fostering local innovation and the collaborative spirit within the tech community, reinforcing London’s reputation as a prominent player in the North American tech market.