In the May edition of the Ottawa Business Success Snapshots blog, two standout local businesses highlight the innovative spirit of Ottawa's entrepreneurial landscape: Spiderwort Biotechnologies Inc. and My Catering Group. Both companies showcase their growth and commitment to their communities…
News from across the Regional Innovation Centres
We have gathered news from all the regional innovation centres (RICs) in Ontario. Be sure to connect with your local RIC to be a part of your local ecosystem.
Maximizing Non-Dilutive Funding: Unlocking Canada’s SR&ED Program with Deloitte
- 27 May 2025
- by Innovation Factory
Key Takeaways on SR&ED and Grants from Deloitte Securing funding is pivotal for businesses striving to enhance innovation and growth. Effectively navigating tax credits and government grants can provide the necessary financial support that allows companies to expand while retaining…
Seven Strategies for Canadian Government to Foster Innovation
- 27 May 2025
- by MaRS Discovery District
Startup leaders are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney and his government to focus on key strategies that can streamline the path to market for Canadian businesses and innovation. In light of the current challenges facing Canada, Carney's mandate acknowledges the…
From Boardrooms to Bike Trails: The Heart and Hustle of Sophia Chan-Combrink’s Leadership
- 27 May 2025
- by VentureLAB
Sophia Chan-Combrink’s leadership journey began in grade nine when her geography teacher introduced her to recycling. While she initially lacked an understanding of its significance, the teacher’s insights opened Sophia’s eyes to the impact of small actions, igniting her passion…
Spotlight on Five WEtechAlliance-Supported Companies in Southwestern Ontario Every May, Canada celebrates its innovation ecosystem during Canadian Innovation Week—a time dedicated to showcasing the creativity and advancements that are shaping the nation’s technological future. This national event highlights various…
Jack Mintz: Canada’s Prosperity Will Arise from Its Resource-Rich Sector
- 26 May 2025
- by Altitude Accelerator
Mintz emphasizes the significant disparity in taxation between industries in Canada, noting that oil and gas endure the highest taxes, while critical mining faces the least. This taxation system effectively reallocates revenue from high-performing sectors to support less profitable ones.…
Vaughan’s Innovation Ecosystem: Discover the Groundbreaking Companies at ventureLAB
- 26 May 2025
- by VentureLAB
Vaughan's Innovation Landscape: A Hub for Cutting-Edge Startups As Vaughan emerges as a central hub for innovation, ventureLAB is proud to collaborate with some of the most promising companies in the region. Entering 2025, Vaughan's innovation ecosystem is thriving, driven…
London’s Startup Ecosystem Achieves Significant Rise in Global Rankings
- 26 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
London's startup ecosystem has gained significant recognition in the newly released Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 by StartupBlink, climbing an impressive 165 positions globally. Nationally, London has secured the 12th spot, surpassing other noteworthy Canadian cities like Hamilton, Saint John,…
Roundtable Review: “Bridging the Valley of Death” — Fostering a Compelling Investment Landscape for Canadian Scaleups
- 23 May 2025
- by VentureLAB
Canadian Senator Colin Deacon participated in a roundtable discussion addressing the critical issue of "Bridging the Valley of Death" for Canadian scaleups. The event provided a platform for insights from key figures in the venture capital ecosystem, including Sen. Deacon,…
Startups Discover Growth Opportunities Beyond the U.S. Market
- 23 May 2025
- by Communitech
At a recent Communitech Breakfast at the Communitech Hub, industry leaders gathered to discuss the importance of global market diversification and financial resilience for startups. The event featured insights from Dave Kroetsch, founder of Aeryon Labs, which he sold for…
Lead with Confidence: Transforming the Future of Ottawa’s Economy
- 23 May 2025
- by Invest Ottawa
Investment Opportunity: Join Invest Ottawa’s Board of Directors On May 23, 2025, Invest Ottawa announced a call for applications to join its volunteer Board of Directors, targeting visionary leaders eager to contribute to one of Canada’s most vibrant innovation ecosystems.…
Embrace Innovation: Attend ventureLAB’s First HardTech Open at Angus Glen
- 23 May 2025
- by VentureLAB
Get ready to join Canada's leading innovators at ventureLAB’s inaugural HardTech Open Golf Tournament, set for Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the iconic Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario. This event promises to be more than just a round…
Windsor Hackforge has announced a series of free events in celebration of National AccessAbility Week, which runs from May 25 to 31. This annual observance in Canada recognizes the contributions of individuals with disabilities and emphasizes the ongoing efforts to…
Waterloo Startup Provides Backup Solutions Following Bell Outage That Left Canadians Offline
- 22 May 2025
- by Communitech
As millions of Canadians experienced a significant network outage affecting Bell Canada, a Waterloo-based startup, Sweat Free Telecom, emerged as a potential solution. Founded by Chanakya Ramdev, the company has developed a digital safety net for smartphone users, utilizing embedded…
MaRS and Canadian Cancer Society Introduce Innovative Cancer Screening Challenge
- 22 May 2025
- by MaRS Discovery District
The MaRS Discovery District and the Canadian Cancer Society have joined forces to initiate a new cancer screening challenge aimed at enhancing early detection of cancer across Canada. This initiative is designed to stimulate innovative approaches that can transform the…
Building Financial Skills for the Future: Forward Vision Games Collaborates to Strengthen Community Capacity
- 22 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
Financial and economic concerns dominate the thoughts of Canadians today, as rising living costs, housing affordability, job security, and the global impacts of tariffs and inflation create significant pressure. In this complex financial landscape, acquiring sound decision-making skills is essential—not…
Odd Burger Secures Exclusive National Listing with 7-Eleven Canada for Retail Product Line
- 21 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
Odd Burger Corporation Partners with 7-Eleven Canada Odd Burger Corporation (TSXV: ODD; OTCPK: ODDAF; FSE: IA9) announced on May 21, 2025, that it has secured approval to list its plant-based product line in over 500 7-Eleven Canada locations. This partnership…
Inuvika Expands Internationally, Seeks Support for Growth in Canada
- 21 May 2025
- by Communitech
Inuvika, a Canadian tech company founded by Kevin Gallagher in 2014, has made significant strides in providing secure virtual desktops and applications to educational institutions and organizations worldwide. With a focus on reducing the complexity and costs typically associated with…
ventureLAB is enhancing the growth of innovative startups through its engagement in the Canada Catalyst - Startup Visa Program. This initiative facilitates international entrepreneurs in establishing scalable businesses within Canada by providing expert guidance, a robust tech ecosystem, and a…
Meta’s new policy has significantly affected access to local news in Canada by preventing Canadian news outlets from sharing their content on Facebook and Instagram. As a result, many citizens are facing challenges in staying informed about important regional issues.…
Navigating Market Uncertainty: Novarc’s Journey in Canada
- 21 May 2025
- by MaRS Discovery District
Novarc Technologies, a Vancouver-based company, exemplifies innovation in the field of welding through strategic partnerships and problem-solving. Founded in 2013 by Reza Abdollahi and Soroush Karimzadeh, the company emerged from a specific client request seeking safer methods for pipe welding…
US Tariffs: Strategies for Canadian Businesses Amid Uncertainty
- 17 May 2025
- by Altitude Accelerator
Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe discusses the complexities and immediate concerns surrounding tariffs impacting businesses, particularly between Canada and the U.S. Acknowledging her non-expert status in trade law and economics, she emphasizes the dynamic nature of the tariff situation and advises businesses to…
Symposium Cafe & Restaurants Partners with Meal Deals Pro to Enhance Exclusive Offers Nationwide
- 16 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
Meal Deals, a rapidly growing restaurant marketing platform, has announced a significant partnership with Symposium Cafe & Restaurants, integrating all its locations throughout Ontario onto the Meal Deals Pro platform. This collaboration offers Symposium a robust new avenue to connect…
Meta Halts Third-Party Fact-Checking: What This Means for Users and Society
- 16 May 2025
- by Altitude Accelerator
In a discussion led by Hessie Jones with Eryk Salvaggio and Maria Amelie, the focus was on the ethical implications of technology, especially in the context of social media platforms and their impact on public discourse and journalism. Eryk Salvaggio’s…
MyCoFutures NA: Transforming Sustainable Materials in Fashion
- 16 May 2025
- by Altitude Accelerator
In this episode of Tech Uncensored, host Hessie Jones interviews Stephanie Lipp and Leo Gillis about their journey from backgrounds in creative and technical fields to creating an innovative mushroom mycelium-based material. Backgrounds and Early Career Paths Stephanie shares her…
Struggling with a Wardrobe Dilemma? Discover How This Kitchener Startup Can Help!
- 15 May 2025
- by Communitech
Pronti AI: Revolutionizing Your Wardrobe Experience Getting dressed can be a daunting task for many, but Pronti AI aims to alleviate that struggle. This free app assists users in selecting outfits based on their existing wardrobe, thereby enhancing confidence and…
How MycoFutures Received a Significant Boost from SRTX Founder Katherine Homuth
- 15 May 2025
- by MaRS Discovery District
Stephanie Lipp, CEO and co-founder of MycoFutures, turned a networking opportunity into a transformative business breakthrough after meeting Katherine Homuth, founder of textile company SRTX. The encounter occurred during Lipp's journey through the RBC Women in Cleantech Accelerator, where she…
On May 13, 2025, the London Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 42nd annual Business Achievement Awards, honoring a diverse range of businesses that have made significant contributions to the community's economy and innovation. This year’s event highlighted the extraordinary efforts…
Alex Muggah Honored for Promoting Life Sciences Innovation in Ontario
- 15 May 2025
- by Innovation Factory
Summary: On May 15, 2025, Alex Muggah, the Director of the Synapse Life Science Consortium, received the Community Impact Award at the Annual Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) Awards Gala, acknowledging his pivotal contributions to Ontario’s life science sector. The award…
Automating the Legal Profession: Insights and Implications
- 15 May 2025
- by Altitude Accelerator
Summary of Discussion Between Ben Su and Hessie Jones on AI in the Legal Profession Ben Su, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, shared the motivations behind venturing into artificial intelligence (AI) to disrupt the legal profession. His journey began during college,…
ORHMA Collaborates with Picsume to Provide Innovative Hiring Solutions for Ontario’s Hospitality Sector
- 14 May 2025
- by WEtechAlliance
Summary: On May 14, 2025, the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) announced a strategic partnership with Picsume, a Canadian software company aimed at enhancing the hiring process within the hospitality sector. This collaboration is intended to benefit ORHMA’s…
Friendlier Joins Forces with Coca-Cola and the Toronto Zoo to Combat Single-Use Waste
- 14 May 2025
- by Communitech
Jacquie Hutchings, co-founder of Friendlier, is transforming waste management with a partnership among her Guelph-based startup, the Toronto Zoo, Coca-Cola, and Compass Group Canada. This initiative replaces single-use meal containers and fountain drink cups with reusable, branded Coca-Cola cups, marking…
Info-Tech Research Group Named Large Business of the Year at 2025 London Chamber of Commerce Awards
- 14 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
Toronto, May 14, 2025 – Press Release Summary Info-Tech Research Group, a leading global research and advisory firm, has been honored with the Business of the Year – Large award at the 2025 London Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.…
Finding X – Season 3, Episode 8
- 14 May 2025
- by MaRS Discovery District
In the discussion led by Scott Weese from the Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance is explored, raising significant concerns about the future of antibiotics. Weese emphasizes that the rise of resistant pathogens could…
Essential Insights for Founders on Investor Relations
- 14 May 2025
- by Altitude Accelerator
Negotiating with investors is a complex and high-pressure experience for early-stage founders, often leading to confusion and fear of compromising their vision and control. Recent discussions with Ben Su, co-founder of Capita, highlight essential strategies for managing these relationships and…
Strengthening Security: Women Leading the Charge in Cybersecurity
- 13 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
Cheryl Hayes, co-founder and chief business development officer at Cyber Legends, Inc., has experienced the detrimental effects of inadequate digital literacy among children, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. One incident involved a nine-year-old girl who was groomed on a…
CARFAX Canada Teams Up with Kijiji
- 13 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
CARFAX Canada and Kijiji Announce New Partnership for Enhanced Vehicle Valuation LONDON, Ontario – CARFAX Canada, a leading provider of vehicle history and valuation information, has partnered with Kijiji, a trusted marketplace for Canadians, to enhance the car buying and…
Waterloo Startup Secures Funding for Innovative Women’s Health Invention Described as a ‘Game-Changer’
- 12 May 2025
- by TechAlliance
Summary: CELLECT Laboratories Inc., a women-led startup based in Waterloo, Ontario, has made significant strides in addressing female health issues, particularly in the realm of cervical cancer and HPV screening. Founded by CT Murphy, a nanotechnology engineering graduate from the…
My Three Key Insights from the Southwestern Ontario Cyber Talent Showcase
- 9 May 2025
- by WEtechAlliance
This week, WEtech participated in the Southwestern Ontario Cyber Talent Showcase, organized by OpenCyberSecYQG in collaboration with the University of Windsor. The event brought together students, startup founders, cybersecurity professionals, and industry leaders to discuss the development of cybersecurity talent…
Risk or Revolution: Is AI Set to Replace Lawyers?
- 9 May 2025
- by Altitude Accelerator
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes various industries, the legal sector is experiencing a significant transformation. Recent studies indicate that nearly 73% of legal professionals plan to integrate AI into their daily workflows, underscoring a recognition that effective use of generative…