March marks International Women's Month, and across the globe, particularly in Ottawa, women are shattering ceilings and transforming the business landscape. Celebrating this momentum, Invest Ottawa launched its flagship event, "The 'F' Factor: Fueling Founders," on March 3rd, aiming to…
Graditi, an innovative construction management software founded by Tony Boyle in March 2025 in London, Ontario, is making significant strides in the construction industry by addressing the increasing demand for housing in Canada. This rising demand, driven by factors such…
Sai-Kit Eng, an Executive in Residence (EIR) at ventureLAB, brings a wealth of 40 years of experience in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to support and innovate within the Canadian tech community. His career spans various roles in engineering and…
Navigating the complexities of trade negotiations in North America, particularly with the current volatility surrounding tariffs, presents significant challenges for business leaders. With the U.S. having imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum and Canada retaliating with $155 billion in tariffs…
Youssef Helwa, a graduate from the University of Waterloo, was inspired by his mother’s experiences as a surgeon, which motivated him to co-found FluidAI, a company dedicated to revolutionizing post-operative care through artificial intelligence (AI). The rapid advancement of AI…
On March 13, 2025, Innovation Factory hosted its annual women’s networking event, HERhalton, in Burlington, Ontario, attracting over 150 attendees, including founders, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. This year’s theme, "Driving Results: Women in Leadership," focused on celebrating the accomplishments of…
The path from idea to investment for innovators is often complex and non-linear, shaped by personal experiences and market dynamics. Through the podcast “Idea to Investment,” hosted by Ken Eastwood of TechAlliance, the intricate world of Canadian entrepreneurship and innovation…
On March 5, Hackforge Windsor organized a watch party for the 2025 Canadian Open Data Awards, hosted by the Canadian Open Data Society (CODS). Though the awards ceremony took place live from Edmonton, Hackforge infused a local touch by presenting…
In times of economic uncertainty, it is crucial for businesses to prepare for market fluctuations through strategic planning. The maxim “plan for the worst and hope for the best” suggests that companies should anticipate various scenarios and assess their potential…
In the competitive business landscape of today, a strategic approach to demand generation is essential for growth. Companies need to move beyond generic outreach and adopt a focused strategy that targets the right buyers, refines messaging, and builds structured marketing…
Julie Ellis, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, executive coach, and author of "Big Gorgeous Goals," spoke at an International Women's Day event organized by the Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) Waterloo chapter, sharing her inspiring journey from a humble basement…
With the introduction of U.S. tariffs, business leaders in Canada face what some economists describe as potentially "the largest trade shock in nearly 100 years." Specifically, Canadian goods are subjected to a 25% tariff, unless they are energy products or…
In celebration of International Women’s Month, we highlight five remarkable women founders from various regions, each making a significant impact in their respective fields. Jessica O. Matthews - Founder and CEO of Uncharted Power (USA): Jessica Matthews has made waves…
Cove Neurosciences, co-founded by Toronto neurologist Nardin Samuel and Irene Harmsen, is pioneering efforts to expedite the development of personalized treatments for brain disorders by identifying key biomarkers. Samuel emphasizes that, despite the individual differences in patients with conditions like…
Maison Apothecare, a family-owned Canadian skincare brand founded in 2012, is set to expand its operations and pursue new opportunities in the natural skincare market. Known for its sustainable and gentle products made from exceptional ingredients and bio-active formulations, the…
As March arrives in Ottawa, the city prepares for the transition from winter to spring, offering various activities for residents to enjoy. With the maple syrup season underway and interactive exhibits at the Canadian Museum of Nature available during March…
Derek Jouppi, a seasoned entrepreneur, recently reflected on the tech ecosystem in San Francisco while at a poker table with fellow founders. He realized that one reason for San Francisco's prominence in technology is that local companies frequently engage with…
On March 5, 2025, Digital Risk Inc., a prominent player in cybersecurity solutions, unveiled its new digital footprint exposure assessment tool. This innovative tool aims to assist organizations in recognizing and addressing cybersecurity threats associated with human behaviors and their…
Life science ventures often face the challenge of managing disorganized and scattered data, which can include spreadsheets, lab notebooks, and emails filled with critical information. This chaos can lead to confusion, duplicate efforts, and lost opportunities, ultimately hindering the progress…
Afynia Laboratories, a Canadian biotech startup spun out of McMaster University, is advancing the commercialization of a blood test aimed at diagnosing endometriosis, a condition affecting approximately 200 million people globally. The startup recently secured $5 million in seed funding…
Innovation Factory’s SOPHIE program is pivotal for start-ups and entrepreneurs in the life science sector, mainly due to its emphasis on commercialization. The SOPHIE (Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical and Health Innovation Ecosystem) initiative offers financial backing, mentorship, training, and access to…
Stephanie Lipp, CEO and Co-Founder of MycoFutures, emphasizes that a founder's passion should be directed towards solving a problem rather than merely promoting a solution. MycoFutures' journey, from growing gourmet mushrooms in rural Newfoundland to receiving a $100,000 order for…
Intellectual Property (IP) is a critical asset for startups, playing a significant role in their success and sustainability. Understanding and managing IP effectively is paramount in today's competitive environment. Stephen Beney, Principal at Smart & Biggar LP, and Carolyn Moorlag,…
Electric motors are a crucial part of everyday life, found in various appliances and vehicles, and they account for nearly half of the electric power consumed in North America. Dr. Ali Emadi, founder of Enedym and a professor at McMaster…
Dear ventureLAB community, In the early days of President Trump's second term, significant changes have emerged that could affect founders in our network. This message aims to update you on the situation, our responses, and gather your input. 1. The…
The Dream Launch Startup Weekend, hosted at the Communitech Hub, was an event focused on nurturing first-time entrepreneurs, allowing them to develop ideas and pitch to expert judges in just 48 hours. The weekend brought together 56 participants, facilitating collaboration…
The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC), a branch of Invest WindsorEssex, is launching the New Start Ventures program, designed to support newcomer entrepreneurs in Windsor-Essex. This initiative aims to equip immigrants with the necessary knowledge, skills, mentorship, and resources…
The content showcases Sarah Sedgman, the Founder and CEO of LearnExperts, in a feature celebrating influential women leaders during International Women's Month 2024. The piece, brought to light by the Power of Why Podcast in collaboration with Invest Ottawa and…
MaRS Monthly News Roundup - March 2025 In March 2025, MaRS Discovery District highlighted significant advancements and events within the innovation ecosystem. The newsletter featured key updates in technology, health, energy, and social innovation, showcasing how startups and organizations are…
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…
The post "My First: Get government support with Aslan Renewables" discusses how startups in the renewable energy sector, such as Aslan Renewables, have leveraged government support to enhance their growth and sustainability. Aslan Renewables, which specializes in sustainable energy solutions,…
Lactiga, a biotechnology company based in North Brunswick, N.J., specializes in developing therapies using naturally occurring antibodies for inflammatory and immunodeficient conditions. On February 3, 2025, the company announced that it has been awarded a multi-year, multi-million dollar grant from…
In an article published by Daniella Fiorentino from the Office of the VP Research at McMaster University on February 24, 2025, three distinguished faculty members—Eric Brown, Catherine Demers, and Jose Moran-Mirabal—were awarded the Professor Entrepreneur Fellowships. These fellowships, established by…
The recent passing of Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack brings to light the urgent need for advances in research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neurological disease affecting communication between neurons and muscles, leading to paralysis and death.…
ventureLAB is celebrating a significant milestone with the fifth anniversary of the Hardware Catalyst Initiative (HCI), which stands as Canada’s first dedicated incubator for hardware and semiconductor startups. Established in 2019 with a pioneering $5 million investment from FedDev Ontario,…
Jeremy has joined Altitude Accelerator while pursuing his Master of Management of Innovation (MMI) at the University of Toronto Mississauga. He has a strong background in medical sciences, having studied physiology and pharmacology at Western University. Although he has always…
As of February 2025, Ottawa’s business landscape continues to thrive, with companies like Plantaform, Cyphercor, and Code for a Cause making significant strides in their respective fields. This edition of the Ottawa Business Success Snapshots blog highlights the innovations and…
In a session with Altitude Accelerator, Manny Narayanan, founder of PathtoCareer and a digital transformation expert, discussed common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when building businesses. Having over two decades of experience in strategy and business transformation, Narayanan emphasizes that every entrepreneur…
In the journey of entrepreneurship, reaching the milestone of $500K+ in revenue signals that a product or service has resonated with a market audience. However, many founders encounter a plateau at this stage, realizing that the strategies that sparked their…
The HardTech Investor Network, dedicated to fostering innovation in Canada's deep-tech sector, has announced the appointment of Duncan Stewart and Ana Misra to its Advisory Board. Their backgrounds in investment and technology are expected to significantly enhance capital access for…
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