Toronto-based startup, WeavAir is revolutionizing the property management industry across Canada and the world with novel sensor technology that is energy-saving and cost-efficient. In 2017, Natalia Mykhaylova, founder and CEO of WeavAir, launched a proactive end-to-end software & hardware solution for air distribution systems that prevent air contamination and infection, while helping organizations decarbonize their operations.
It all started when Mykhaylova was working on her Ph.D. and installing sensor networks as part of her fieldwork. “At the time, I noticed a lot of people were interested in learning how to improve their health by monitoring and controlling air quality and humidity. In particular, air quality was a problem for many” said Mykhaylova. She saw an opportunity to improve and monitor air quality, particularly in the retail, hospitality and transportation sectors, and so decided to develop a new technology to accomplish these goals. However, there continued to be another very important gap. “I also discovered this goes beyond air quality”, said Mykhaylova, “and [we] could use the same data and software to save energy, decarbonize operations and reduce maintenance costs”.
WeavAir offers a “Safety As a Service” solution composed of predictive software and plug & play multi-sensor IoT devices. Each device measures 20 different metrics at 95% accuracy enabling better building management decisions, which significantly reduces maintenance costs and improves overall health and safety.
Mykhaylova added, “We want to help organizations make more eco-friendly decisions to reduce carbon emissions and improve employee wellbeing and productivity. Our team is united by this goal and vision of helping organizations access the best tools and data to help them accomplish their ESG goals.”
In 2018, Mykhaylova joined ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative , Canada’s only lab and incubator for developing and commercializing hardware and semiconductor solutions. Mykhaylova previously worked with Paul Rivett, a ventureLAB Advisor. He introduced her to the Hardware Catalyst Initiative, and Mykhaylova has been with ventureLAB since.
“The network that ventureLAB has is always growing. There are so many great partners and different corporations that are always supporting the programs that ventureLAB offers. As a startup, it’s always great to get exposure and access to these opportunities,” said Mykhaylova.
The Hardware Catalyst Initiative provides direct resources to accelerate commercialization at scale through initiatives focused on four pillars: raising capital, retaining talent, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition. In 2021, WeavAir was selected for the second cohort of ventureLAB's Hardware Catalyst Initiative companies. These companies received mentorship from global tech leaders, access to specialized equipment and hardware-specific expertise to support their startups.
Demo Day
Most recently, Mykhaylova participated in ventureLAB’s Demo Day, run by ventureLAB’s Capital Investment Program. This program specifically supports companies at the most crucial times of their business, helping founders to refine their investment pitch and connecting them with strategically-aligned investors.
At the most recent Demo Day, which had a Clean Tech focus, WeavAir was one of many cleantech startups who pitched to numerous investors, showcasing their solution and connecting directly with angel and seed stage investors. Other startups that joined are CleanInnogen Energy Solutions, Smart Cocoon, HYGN Energy, Solairles, ROCarbon and LITUS.
Today, WeavAir operates in Canada, South Korea, Singapore and Poland and continues to grow nationally and globally. The small but mighty team has a range of expertise, including engineering, research, data analysis, algorithm development and sustainability. Mykhaylova plans to continue growing the company and recruiting more talent to grow their business further and strengthen the company’s impact.
About Capital Investment Program
ventureLAB's Capital Investment Program works with scale-ready companies to establish a long-term capital strategy and support rapid business growth. Since 2012, our experienced Advisors have worked with hundreds of founders, enabling them to raise over $150 million in private investment. ventureLAB has relaunched and expanded the reach of our Capital Investment Program with specific opportunities for underrepresented and early stage founders across Canada. Our team is now providing a broad and diverse founder community with guidance and expertise through the entire fundraising process, from refining investment pitches to connecting founders with strategically-aligned investors to further their investment goals.
About Hardware Catalyst Initiative
ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is Canada’s only lab and incubator for founders building hardware and semiconductor-focused products, enabling the creation of transformative technologies that will power our products of tomorrow — including healthcare technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications, smart energy, connected transportation, and more. Funded in part by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Hardware Catalyst helps tech companies accelerate their time to market in a sector that normally incurs lengthy entry and scale times, enabling Canadian hardware and semiconductor companies to grow and scale locally, and compete globally.
About ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 4,000 jobs and raise more than $200 million in investment capital. At ventureLAB, we grow globally competitive tech titans that build-to-scale in Canada, for global markets.
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