Roman Zastawny is a Medtech Advisor at ventureLAB with a lifelong passion for understanding how things work, which evolved into a successful career in diagnostic medical device development. His early curiosity led him to earn a Ph.D. in molecular biology…
London, Ontario, is recognized as a center for innovation, exemplified by the efforts of Renix, a cleantech company that is transforming liquid separation processes on a global scale. Established with a commitment to sustainability in industrial operations, Renix has developed…
Competition Travel, a leading youth sports travel housing company in North America, has forged a strategic multi-year technology partnership with HousingConnect, noteworthy in the event housing industry. This collaboration is effective immediately, with focus on supporting upcoming events starting in…
The recent event organized by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) showcased a standout booth design and strategic engagement that captivated attendees and fostered meaningful conversations. This report delves into the strategic components that contributed to their success, offering valuable…
As trade tensions with the United States escalate due to tariffs and retaliatory measures, Canadian businesses are facing numerous challenges, particularly with intra-Canadian trade barriers. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has raised alarms, suggesting that these issues could lead to…
From June 9 to 13, 2025, Ottawa will host its inaugural Ottawa Innovation Week, a city-wide celebration aimed at recognizing the thinkers, creators, and doers transforming not only Ottawa but also the world. This event is organized by Ottawa Unlimited,…
The article "My First: How Cascadia Seaweed tapped unlikely sources of capital" from MaRS Discovery District highlights the innovative funding approaches taken by Cascadia Seaweed, a company dedicated to sustainable seaweed farming and its various applications. The company has successfully…
As the global economy evolves, Canadian entrepreneurs face increasing pressure to strategically attract investment. A crucial factor in this process is establishing a robust data room—an organized system for data management that reflects accurate information about a business. A well-constructed…
Sheldon McCormick is set to take on the role of CEO at Communitech, a position he views as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community where he and his family have established their home in Waterloo Region.…
On March 27, 2025, during Canada’s Brain Health Awareness Month, the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest, announced an allocation of CAD 2.6 million in funding to support 23 innovators in aging and brain health…
Danielle Graham, co-founder of The Firehood and an advisor at ventureLAB, shares her experiences from the Web Summit held in Qatar, emphasizing the seamlessness of her arrival due to the airport's proximity to the city. She notes that Qatar is…
On April 9, 2025, Femtech Canada, managed by Innovation Factory, announced a strategic partnership with Sun Life to emphasize the importance of innovation in women’s health. This collaboration aims to develop unique commercialization programming tailored specifically to women’s health innovations,…
Danielle reflects on her experience at STEP Dubai, a vibrant conference held in the heart of a thriving startup ecosystem. Thanks to a connection with a founder friend, she gained access to Dubai Internet City and the event. Upon entering…
ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Lab is an essential resource for startups and researchers focused on hardware innovation, particularly in the realm of power electronics and energy distribution. One of the standout tools available in this lab is the ITECH IT7900-350-180 Regenerative…
As of April 2, a 25 percent U.S. tariff is in effect, creating increasing uncertainty for Canadian tech companies reliant on the U.S. market. To help navigate this challenging landscape, Communitech organized a Tariff Townhall aimed at exploring new avenues…
The Dream Launch Startup Weekend, held on March 1 and 2 in Kitchener, brought together over 50 aspiring entrepreneurs who formed 14 teams to develop their business ideas. With expert coaching and workshops focusing on pitching and problem-solving, participants took…
At LEAP'25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I had the opportunity to speak on the Climate Tech Stage about the vital relationship between impact investing and sustainable technologies. The panel emphasized how regional investment trends and local strategies can accelerate advancements…
Suresh Sriskandarajah, an Executive in Residence at ventureLAB, is an experienced technology and business lawyer dedicated to aiding startups in navigating the complex legal landscape. With a foundation in engineering and entrepreneurship, his mission is to help fledgling ventures establish…
February 2025 was not an ordinary month by any account. On Feb 4, U.S. President Donald Trump announced significant tariffs on Canadian imports, including a 25% duty on general goods and a 10% duty on energy resources. With the false…
The Hardware Catalyst Initiative (HCI), launched by ventureLAB in June 2019 with a groundbreaking investment of $5 million from FedDev Ontario, celebrates five years of fostering innovation among Canada's hardware startups. Before HCI's inception, Canada lacked the infrastructure crucial for…
The third article in a series on patent prosecution focuses on understanding the publicly available prosecution history of a patent application. This history provides crucial insights into the application's strength and scope, revealing how claims were addressed during examination. Critical…
Green Economy Canada is thrilled to launch the Climate Transition Assessment, an innovative online tool designed to assist businesses in evaluating their readiness for a sustainable future aligned with the net-zero goals. This resource is available for free and serves…
The Peak's 2025 Emerging Leaders list showcases exceptional young talent from our region who are making significant contributions across various sectors, including technology, finance, and media. This national recognition highlights the achievements of young Canadians who are influencing change and…
April is designated as Earth Month, culminating in Earth Day on April 22nd—a period dedicated to reflecting on our environmental footprint and celebrating businesses that are effecting positive change. The theme for this year’s Earth Day, "Our Power, Our Planet,"…
In the landscape of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the decision to invest in business development or sales can appear daunting due to associated costs, such as hiring sales personnel or implementing CRM systems. However, the consequences of not investing…
Supporting Canadian technology not only helps bolster the economy but also encourages innovation and the creation of local jobs. Several Canadian-made tech tools enhance productivity and user experience, reflecting the country's commitment to quality and advanced technology. One of the…
Are you an innovator transforming your groundbreaking research into a successful commercial project? What are the key resources, steps and challenges in the commercialization process? How do universities & colleges succeed in collaborating with innovators to bring their cutting-edge technologies…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben Fisher, the founder of GravitySlide, transformed his passion for travel into an innovative business focused on the RV industry. After purchasing an RV to explore Canada with his wife, Fisher identified challenges related to towing…
Apricotton, a Toronto-based startup founded by Jess Miao and Chloe Beaudoin, has had a transformative year filled with significant achievements and challenges. Specializing in bras for tweens and teens, the company is on a trajectory of growth marked by a…
The Brampton arts community is set to benefit from an exciting new initiative announced by Altitude Accelerator: “Business Basics for Artists.” This program, funded through the City of Brampton’s Advance Brampton Fund, focuses on equipping local artists with essential business…
The April 2025 edition of the MaRS Monthly News Roundup highlights significant developments and events within the MaRS Discovery District and the broader innovation ecosystem. Key Highlights: Startup Achievements: Several startups within the MaRS network reported major milestones, including funding…
Hydrostor, a Toronto-based company specializing in long-duration energy storage, is set to begin construction on its first commercial energy storage facilities, driven by a pressing need for renewable energy solutions following a series of power outages in Broken Hill, Australia.…
The article "My First: How TerraFixing’s co-founder learned to speak up," published on MaRS Discovery District, highlights a transformative personal journey of one of the co-founders of TerraFixing, a company that integrates technology with environmental sustainability. The post emphasizes the…
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Boundless Accelerator highlighted the entrepreneurial journey of Nicole Benes and Kelsey Gemmill, the founders of SweetMonk. Their transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship showcases resilience, innovation, and a purposeful drive to create a meaningful…
This featured story, part of the Power of Why Podcast in collaboration with Invest Ottawa and supported by BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, celebrates influential women leaders in Ottawa for International Women’s Month. Each year, five remarkable leaders are chosen…
The second part of a three-part series on patent prosecution focuses on the Examination Report and Response cycle that occurs after filing a patent application. Following the foundational background provided in the first article, this installment elaborates on the processes…
Lynn Doughane and Nanette Sene, both electrical and mechanical engineers who met during their master's studies at Polytechnique Montréal, share a common frustration: debilitating menstrual pain. Doughane, a former professional athlete, was particularly disheartened by the common misconception that menstrual…
At the Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX) Conference, the spotlight was on the significant role of semiconductors in shaping the future of technology, particularly in AI, automation, and next-generation computing. Hosted by ventureLAB and the City of Markham, the panel discussion…
As April arrives in Ottawa, it brings a refreshing wave of energy and the promise of spring, encouraging locals to embrace the outdoors and marking a vibrant transition in the job market. The technology sector in Ottawa is experiencing significant…
Due to Meta's recent policy changes that inhibit Canadian news outlets from sharing their content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, access to local news has become increasingly challenging. In response to this situation, we are curating a selection of…
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