Navigating Innovation: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Dhwani Shah, Founder & CEO of Aadhya Navik Inc.

With over a decade of professional experience in transportation engineering and planning, and an academic background that spans continents, Dhwani Shah’s journey began when she immigrated to Windsor in 2016.

Her story is not just about her professional accomplishments but also deeply rooted in her personal life, being a mother and wife, family plays a central role for her. Shah’s ambition, combined with the support from her loved ones, has been her foundation of success.

Shah’s career in India as an assistant professor ignited her passion for teaching and academic research. It was this role that inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in transportation and automated vehicles.

“Of all the sectors I had previously worked in, I found significant job satisfaction in my teaching role,” explains Shah. “I wanted to teach, which led me to pursue a Ph.D. I particularly felt that my lectures were more relevant and engaging to students because of the practical experience I had, and I knew what was going on in the industry”.

After relocating to Canada, Shah joined the University of Windsor, where her research with Dr. Lee introduced her to the side of transportation that dealt with human factors.

Reflecting on her Ph.D. focus, Shah explains, “I wanted to pursue a topic aligned with current trends that would allow me to merge my knowledge of transportation planning with human factors. In Dr. Kim’s Intelligent Transportation System course, I saw the potential to combine these areas, focusing on safety, comfort, and traffic efficiency—critical issues in autonomous vehicles.”

Dhwani talks with Director of Venture Services & Partnerships Adam Castle during the 2024 Emerging Technologies in Automation Conference

The idea for her company, Aadhya Navik Inc., was born from Shah’s desire to see her research make a tangible impact. Shah envisioned developing control algorithms that could benefit the global automotive sector, but the need for industry collaboration left her wanting more.

Dhwani frequently shared her aspirations with her friend and colleague, Umair, expressing what she wanted to achieve if only she had the resources. They often discussed different job postings, and she would jokingly comment that she felt best suited for a CEO or business founder role based on her interests and strengths.

Umair, who was teaching at St. Clair College, came across an advertisement for a “Student Automobility Entrepreneur” posted through a collaboration between Invest WindsorEssex, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), and the Windsor-Essex Regional Technology Development Site (WE RTDS). He sent her the posting, saying, “I looked at it and remembered our CEO conversation.”

Shah’s journey into entrepreneurship was supported by the Windsor-Essex entrepreneurial ecosystem. WETechAlliance played a significant role in providing mentorship and access to resources. Shah was able to connect with one of WEtech’s Growth Coaches, Colin McKillop, a leader in the automotive industry, who became her mentor. His guidance opened doors to opportunities Shah hadn’t considered before, including participating in the Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC), where Aadhya Navik Inc. was selected as one of the Top 100 quarter-finalists out of 1,500 applicants.

Through this connection with WETechAlliance, Shah was also introduced to intellectual property (IP) law firm Bereskin & Parr LLP, where early discussions helped her lay the groundwork for patenting her innovations. This support network proved essential in transforming Aadhya Navik Inc. from a research concept to a viable business.

Aadhya Navik Inc. is addressing a critical issue within the autonomous vehicle industry: passenger motion sickness. As the world moves closer to adopting autonomous vehicles, the need for solutions prioritizing passenger comfort and safety has come to the forefront. Aadhya Navik Inc.’s value proposition lies in its vehicle control system, which integrates comfort and motion sickness thresholds into driving decisions. This innovation ensures that autonomous vehicles maintain traffic efficiency while providing a smooth and comfortable ride, mitigating passenger discomfort. The potential impact of this technology on the autonomous vehicle industry is significant, as it could revolutionize the way we perceive and experience autonomous driving.

Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship was challenging. Shah found herself navigating a steep learning curve, shifting from focusing solely on research to wearing multiple hats as the founder of a startup. In addition to being the technical lead, she became responsible for marketing, finance, and business development—roles that required her to quickly adapt and grow. The challenges she faced were numerous, from understanding the intricacies of business development to managing the financial aspects of a startup. However, these challenges also provided her with valuable learning experiences and shaped her into the entrepreneur she is today.

Shah’s entrepreneurial journey has been marked by personal achievements and public recognition. Registering Aadhya Navik Inc., choosing its unique name, and designing the company’s website were pivotal moments that marked her shift from researcher to business founder. The name “Aadhya Navik” holds deep significance for her—”Aadhya” symbolizes primordial power in Sanskrit, and “Navik” means sailor, representing one who navigates. This was a perfect fit for a company focused on automated driving, and it also resonated with the English word “navigate,” reflecting her heritage and the innovative direction of her business. Shah chose the name to honour her daughter, Aadhya, adding a personal connection to the company’s identity.

Public milestones, like Aadhya Navik Inc.’s recognition at GAMIC, further validated her work. The company participated in GAMIC just two months after its registration, competing against well-established businesses with annual revenues or funding up to $5 million USD. This competition and recognition boosted Shah’s confidence, affirming that her entrepreneurial efforts were on par with industry leaders.

EPICentre at the University of Windsor also played a crucial role in Shah’s entrepreneurial development. She gained valuable insights into intellectual property (IP) strategy through their Next Gen CTO program. During a guest lecture by Jarrod Hicks from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), Shah learned about funding opportunities for patent applications, which became a turning point for her. Aadhya Navik Inc. was selected for the self-guided program, and with IPON’s support, she received funding to conduct an IP-patent landscape report. This report provided critical insights into the automotive industry’s existing technologies and patents worldwide, strengthening her understanding of the market and boosting her confidence in the uniqueness and necessity of her product.

Dhwani introduces Dr. Josipa Petrunic at the third annual Women Driven Mobility YQG Breakfast

Shah’s vision for Aadhya Navik Inc. is ambitious and inspiring. In the coming years, she aims to scale the company’s technology to reach global markets, forging partnerships and expanding the business while continuing to refine her business acumen. At the same time, Shah sees herself returning to academia as a professor, where she can merge her entrepreneurial experience with teaching, inspiring the next generation of innovators. This vision for the future is sure to make the audience feel hopeful and excited about the potential impact of Aadhya Navik Inc.

Now having earned her Ph.D., Shah reflects on the journey from academia to entrepreneurship as both challenging and rewarding. She encourages other researchers considering a similar path to embrace uncertainty, trust their abilities, and seek mentorship to help navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

“I also encourage those interested in business to read about entrepreneurship, connect with fellow business founders, and explore other startups, regardless of their technology, to understand the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship,” she advises. “University incubators, business accelerators, and regional innovation centers can be invaluable in connecting you with the right people to build a strong foundation and turn your idea into a company.”

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