by Hessie Jones
Altitude Accelerator’s Fall 2024 Investor Readiness Program graduated another successful cohort of exceptional founders.
We congratulate Muhammad Hadi, CEO of XRev Studio, Eeshaan Patil, Founder of Otolabs and Mehdi Rahman, Cofounder of Talent Samurai.
Here are highlights from each founder.
Eeshaan Patil, Founder, Otolabs
Eeshaan Patil is an enthusiastic entrepreneur who graduated from the University of Toronto with over 8 years of experience in the AI, high-tech robotics, nuclear industry, and high-speed automation sector solving problems and delivering business value for several leading-edge tech companies such as Ocado where he is the youngest senior engineer. Eeshaan is currently the founder of Otolabs which has developed solutions that ‘solve real-world problems’ in the food & beverage industry, with several “world’s firsts” baked into it.
Eeshaan Patil is a dynamic young entrepreneur with a diverse background in cutting-edge technologies. A graduate of the University of Toronto, he has accumulated over eight years of experience across various high-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, the nuclear industry, and high-speed automation. His expertise has been recognized by leading technology companies, most notably Ocado, being their youngest senior engineer.
As the founder of Otolabs, this company focuses on developing groundbreaking solutions for the food and beverage industry. Otolabs’ products are designed to address “real-world problems, with several “world’s first” innovations baked into it.
Otolabs
As a company that operates at the intersection of robotics and IoT, Otolabs develops compact autonomous satellite kitchens to boost restaurant sales & lower operating costs so end-customers can access personalized premium quality food conveniently. Eeshaan and his team’s vision is to create the next-generation food distribution platform, by leveraging robotics and automation. With a passionate team of roboticists and inventors, Otolabs is poised to disrupt an industry that hasn’t seen change since the fast-food revolution.
What Eeshaan Patil had to say about Altitude Accelerator:
“The investor readiness program was pivotal in stress-testing not only our pitch but also our business plan as a whole. We were introduced to industry pioneering advisors who brought a priceless perspective that catalyzed our growth. Altitude also helped us go to the next level by putting us in touch with government bodies that provided us grants like IPON, ElevateIP, as well as other relevant associations that provide additional funding which is super valuable because these are non-dilutive sources of funds.
Our entrepreneur-in-residence has also been extremely helpful in providing us with feedback and thoughts even on the execution roadmap and strategy. Overall, Altitude gives you access to a wide variety of industry leaders and potential clients, who can lead to not only advice but also to both non-dilutive and diluting funding, resulting in providing the perfect springboard to launch from.”
Muhammad Hadi, CEO, XRev Studio
Muhammad Hadi is an entrepreneur and computer scientist who is transforming sports training through innovative virtual reality (VR) solutions. As the founder and CEO of XRev Studio, Hadi combines his passion for sports with his technical expertise to create cutting-edge VR training simulators for cricket and baseball.
Hadi’s journey in this field began with his background as a semi-professional cricketer. This experience fueled his vision to develop CricketX, a VR batting simulator that revolutionizes training by providing real-time analytics and adaptive feedback. The simulator offers innovative training experiences that closely mimic real-world conditions, making high-performance training more accessible and effective.
Before establishing XRev Studio, Hadi gained valuable experience in immersive technologies by running a software development agency for four years. During this time, he worked on various VR and augmented reality (AR) projects, honing his skills in these cutting-edge technologies.
With over four years of experience in VR development, C++, and Unity, Hadi has positioned himself at the forefront of sports technology innovation. His focus on leveraging VR to enhance athletic performance is reshaping traditional coaching methods. Under his leadership, XRev Studio has gained significant traction among cricket academies and professional teams, demonstrating the value and potential of their VR training solutions.
XRev Studio
XRev Studio is pioneering the transformation of sports training through innovative virtual reality (VR) technology. The company specializes in developing advanced training simulators for cricket and baseball, offering athletes immersive virtual environments that closely replicate real-world playing conditions.
At the heart of XRev Studio’s offerings is CricketX, their flagship product. This cutting-edge VR cricket simulator provides players with a versatile training platform where they can face a wide variety of virtual bowlers, adapt to different pitch conditions and receive detailed performance analysis in real-time.
The simulators developed by XRev Studio go beyond basic gameplay. They incorporate data-driven insights that allow athletes to: make targeted improvements to their technique, track their progress over time and identify areas for further development
XRev Studio’s solutions are designed to cater to: professional cricket teams, cricket academies, schools and enthusiasts.
By combining advanced VR technology with a deep understanding of sports, XRev Studio is revolutionizing athletic training methods. Their approach offers a modern, accessible, and highly effective way for cricketers and baseball players to: enhance their skills, achieve peak performance and reach their full potential in their respective sports
We look forward to forward to witnessing the journey of Muhammad Hadi and XRev Studio, an innovator making high-quality, a data-driven sports training more accessible and effective for athletes at all levels.
What Muhammad Hadi had to say about Altitude Accelerator:
“Participating in the Investor Readiness Program with Altitude Accelerator was a transformative experience for me as a tech founder. While I have a strong technical background, the program helped me identify and address critical business gaps. It provided practical insights into investor expectations, financial planning, and go-to-market strategies, enabling me to better position my startup, XRev Studio, for growth.
The mentorship sessions were particularly valuable, offering guidance on pitching to investors, refining our value proposition, and understanding market dynamics. Through this program, I gained a deeper understanding of scaling strategies, customer acquisition, and revenue models, which were previously outside my core expertise. The difference in our business planning and overall confidence, from where we were before the program to where we are now, is remarkable. It equipped me with the knowledge and tools needed to balance technical innovation with solid business acumen, making XRev Studio more attractive for investment and better prepared for long-term success.”
Mehdi Rahman, Cofounder of Talent Samurai
With over 25 years of expertise at the intersection of hospitality, consumer goods, professional services, and technology, Mehdi Rahman is redefining what it means to lead with purpose. From his early career shaping the future of McDonald’s Canada by staffing over 1,400 locations, to guiding Best Buy’s pioneering expansion across Canada, Mehdi’s impact on iconic brands is unmistakable.
His leadership continued with senior roles at Luxottica, Publicis Health, and Canadian powerhouse Spin Master, where he transformed teams and cultures alike. As Chief of Staff at the award-winning ed-tech company Knowledgehook, he shaped strategies to power the next generation of learning. Today, Mehdi co-leads Secret Pirates, a blockchain initiative inspired by the UN’s Sustainability Guidelines to empower a new wave of digital citizens.
With an MBA in innovation leadership, Mehdi is on a mission to create 10,000 meaningful jobs for marginalized communities, shaping a future where technology, trust, and opportunity intersect.
Talent Samurai
Talent Samurai is the precision tool transforming hiring for modern enterprises. Powered by advanced AI, it seamlessly optimizes every stage of hiring—from targeted candidate matching to smart interview coordination. Designed with an intuitive, elegant interface, Talent Samurai empowers hiring teams to connect with and secure top talent faster, cutting down on inefficiencies that lose top candidates.
This proprietary technology integrates real-time manager needs with organizational goals, turning hiring into a streamlined, efficient process that enhances both the manager and candidate experience. With a focus on inclusivity and unbiased hiring practices, Talent Samurai enables companies not just to fill positions but to build impactful teams, ready to drive success from day one. It’s hiring, redefined—intelligent technology combined with effortless UX for results that matter.
What Mehdi Rahman had to say about Altitude Accelerator:
“After years of learning the hard way—previously founding two tech startups, gathering insights from mentors, and tapping into the knowledge of founders from accelerators like Y Combinator—this program was the missing piece to bringing Talent Samurai to life. When Rutuja Jori presented the Altitude Accelerator at a startup event, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. With its remarkable track record and expansive network, the Investor Readiness program offered exactly what Canadian founders need.
Hessie Jones brought in a carefully selected lineup of speakers who shared invaluable insights in an intimate setting—every session felt tailored to the challenges founders face today. The hands-on financial modeling workshop and sessions on data room essentials, IP, governance, and marketing provided the kind of foundational knowledge that’s hard to come by. Giselle Melo, my mentor, was a strong advocate, guiding me through the ups and downs of founder life. Her support, along with Hessie’s, was essential in building the resilient mindset I needed to keep going. Their combined wisdom helped me stay focused through challenges that might have otherwise thrown me off course.
The most transformative part, though, was the volume of pitching. Presenting to angel and institutional investors not only sharpened my pitch but also offered genuine feedback from industry veterans. I left with a stronger grasp of Canada’s funding landscape, my confidence as a tech founder elevated, and a clear path forward to bring Talent Samurai’s vision to market. This program didn’t just educate; it empowered. Thank you for building my competence and helping me refine my vision of what’s possible.”
Investor Readiness Means Empowering Startup Founders
The Investor Readiness Program at Altitude Accelerator is designed to prepare high-potential technology startups for their first external funding round, which can often be the most challenging phase in a company’s growth. The program equips founders with the necessary skills and materials to effectively present their business to investors, ensuring they are well-prepared for the fundraising process.
Over the course of eight weeks, participants receive comprehensive support tailored to their specific needs. This includes guidance in crafting and effectively communicating their value proposition, developing effective financial models that align with investor expectations. Additionally, startups learn about effective strategies on intellectual property protection, establishing that unique moat around their business. A significant focus is placed on refining the pitch through weekly feedback sessions and practice opportunities, allowing founders to hone their presentation skills in front of investors, advisors and their peers. They receive direct introductions to relevant investors as part of this process.
The program provides necessary foundations when it comes to understanding governance, dilution, cap tables, valuations and preparation for due diligence. The program focuses on engaging sessions that allow cohort members to learn from each other and other founders and advisors and develop meaningful dialogue when it comes to fundraising, navigating relationships with cofounders, partners and investors. Participants benefit from individual coaching sessions, expert-led training workshops, and goal-setting exercises that help them clarify their objectives and strategies.
The culmination of the program involves presenting to an Investment Review Panel, where participants receive valuable feedback and recommendations for effectively securing funding.
Altitude Accelerator’s Investor Readiness Program is designed to significantly enhance a startup’s chances of successfully raising seed funding while making critical introductions in the process.
We are now accepting applications for our next winter cohort in February 2025. Find out more. Ready to apply? Click here!