Introducing Nima: The MedTech Leader at ventureLAB Creating Canada’s One-Stop Shop for Medical Technologies

Nima Khadem Mohtaram is a significant force in advancing MedTech innovation in Canada as the Head of ventureLAB’s MedTech Initiative. His mission centers around accelerating the commercialization of medical devices and bridging the gap between innovative ideas and their real-world applications.

Nima's journey into the MedTech field commenced in academia, where he developed a deep interest in biomaterials and medical innovations. After obtaining his PhD in biomaterials from the University of Victoria in 2014, he conducted further research at the University of British Columbia, focusing on medical polymers for blood applications. He then continued his academic pursuit at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Biomedical Engineering before taking a faculty position at the University of Waterloo. However, it became clear to him that his true passion lay in entrepreneurship and transforming MedTech innovations into tangible products.

In 2016, Nima ventured into entrepreneurship by founding CellFace, which specialized in developing 3D-printed cell culture plates for tissue engineering using cell imprinting technology. He benefited from mentorship within the ventureLAB ecosystem, particularly from Paul Rivett, which helped him navigate strategic business development. Subsequently, Nima co-founded Trillium Meditec, which produces polymer hydrogels aimed at alleviating knee pain; this product has now achieved the status of a Class III medical device, marking nearly seven years of his contribution to its success.

At ventureLAB, Nima is dedicated to establishing Canada’s premiere innovation hub for medical devices. Unlike typical incubators that focus broadly on life sciences, ventureLAB specializes in medical devices, both hardware and software, aimed at revolutionizing healthcare. His role encompasses working with a diverse array of stakeholders, including policymakers, engineers, scientists, and regulatory experts, to refine MedTech concepts into market-ready products. Nima's ultimate vision is to position ventureLAB as the go-to resource for MedTech commercialization, offering crucial support, equipment, testing facilities, and regulatory guidance necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed.

Nima’s motivation stems from witnessing the transformative effects of medical devices on patients' lives, such as improved pain management and life-changing treatments for conditions like deafness. He believes that while those behind these innovations may not always receive recognition, their contributions deeply impact lives. He sees Canada as rich in MedTech talent, abundant with opportunities to address healthcare challenges, and he aims to connect the right resources and partnerships to promote MedTech commercialization.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Nima remains committed to his community. A father of a nearly six-year-old daughter, he and his wife relocated from Waterloo to Aurora in 2021, where he became actively involved in local economic development and philanthropic efforts. Nima has served on the Board of Directors at the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and was elected Chairman of the Board for the Aurora Economic Development Corporation, guiding initiatives to bolster economic growth and enhance job opportunities. He also engages in philanthropic activities as a member of the Philanthropy Cabinet at Southlake Regional Health Centre, assisting in securing funding for healthcare advancements.

Looking to the future, Nima envisions creating a robust ecosystem for MedTech commercialization in Canada, akin to the success achieved in the semiconductor sector through ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative. He aspires to create a comprehensive one-stop shop that integrates funding, prototyping, testing, regulatory support, and industry partnerships, ensuring that MedTech innovation leads to lasting positive impacts on people’s lives. Under Nima's leadership, ventureLAB is poised to position Canada as a global leader in medical device commercialization.