February 2025 Highlights – Communitech Roundup

In the latest episode of "Tech About Town," Communitech program manager Carleigh Johnston and ConeLabs CEO Albert Mansour discussed the Communitech Fast Track Cities initiative, which connects tech startups with municipal partners to address urban challenges. ConeLabs, which won the Fast Track Cities Showcase pitch competition in November 2024, focuses on using artificial intelligence to automate infrastructure inspections, such as sewers, and integrating autonomous technologies into existing systems.

In a heartfelt segment, Kitchener entrepreneur Ayoola Gbade-Bello discussed his digital platform, Kintrace, aimed at helping families preserve their histories. Gbade-Bello’s initiative stems from a personal loss; he was inspired to keep his father’s stories alive after an impactful storytelling session. Kintrace enables users to capture and share personal narratives through messaging apps, facilitating the transmission of family histories across generations.

Intellectual property (IP) was another significant topic on "Tech About Town," with host Alex Kinsella and Jim Hinton, founder and CEO of OWN Innovation, exploring the importance of IP for tech startups. Hinton emphasized the need for founders to prioritize IP protection from the outset, discussing various forms such as patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. He highlighted how provisional patents and trade secrets can safeguard innovations while still accommodating the tight budgets that startups often face.

On February 25, Communitech organized the Fast Track Health showcase, featuring ten health-tech startups that presented innovative solutions to pressing challenges in Canadian healthcare. Jennifer Gruber, interim CEO and CFO of Communitech, opened the showcase by asserting the organization's commitment to supporting tech leaders in their entrepreneurial journeys. She noted that founders view challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for innovation. The showcased startups addressed issues including patient scheduling, long wait times, and resource management within hospitals. The technologies presented included AI-driven platforms, digital twins, and workflow optimization tools, all designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems.

This edition of the Tech About Town summary was compiled by the Communitech News Team, aiming to keep the community informed about the latest developments in tech entrepreneurship. Interested readers can sign up for the monthly Tech Roundup by visiting Communitech’s website.

Through these featured discussions and showcases, it is evident that the intersection of technology and community initiatives plays a vital role in driving innovation in various sectors, from municipal infrastructure to healthcare and personal storytelling. By leveraging advancements in AI and other technologies, startups are positioned to not only address current challenges but also to create meaningful connections and solutions that resonate at a personal level, in families and communities alike.