Moatassem Moatez, Founder of MyCourier: His Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

altaccelerator — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 22:00:54 +0000

by Mehr Sokhanda

The path of entrepreneurship rarely follows a straight line, but for some founders, the journey involves completely reimagining their professional identity. At a recent “Ask the Founder” event, we hosted Moatassem Moatez, founder of MyCourier, who shared his remarkable transition from corporate executive to delivery driver to successful logistics entrepreneur. His journey offers valuable insights about resilience, adaptability, and the realities of building a business in a new country. From navigating the challenges of a failed first venture during COVID-19 to building a 200-person strong logistics company, Moatez’s story presents a tale that many founders encounter when it comes to the importance of market validation and timing.

When Moatez arrived in Canada with 15 years of corporate experience from Dubai, he brought what he thought was a foolproof plan. His first venture, Yellow Box, was an online retail business selling outdoor products. The timing proved catastrophic – launching in February 2020, just one month before COVID lockdowns. “I tried everything possible – discounts, buy-one-get-one-free promotions, every strategy in the book. But nothing worked. Sales were just impossible.” Eventually, he donated all inventory to a nonprofit company, facing what he terms his “dark time.”

Finding Opportunity in Crisis

The pivot to logistics came from an unexpected source – a phone call with a grocery store that couldn’t handle delivery demands during COVID. “I called a grocery store to have some items delivered. The response was simple but eye-opening – they had no delivery capacity whatsoever. That’s when it clicked.” This simple interaction sparked what would become MyCourier.

Instead of immediately launching a full operation, Moatez took a ground-up approach: “I took myself on, put my vest on and I said I will start delivering myself. I need to understand this industry.” He worked all shifts – morning, night, whatever was needed – to gain firsthand experience of the industry. This period taught him valuable lessons about performance and value creation: “My tips often exceeded my pay as a driver… because when you truly understand and deliver value in any role, no matter what it is, people naturally recognize and reward that commitment.”

Building Strong Foundations

In establishing MyCourier, Moatez’s approach to landing Amazon as a client demonstrates the importance of thorough preparation and persistence. “I spent an entire week crafting that single email. I researched everything – their values, their principles, their definition of a successful partnership. Every article, every piece of information about them was meticulously analyzed to understand what they were looking for.”

The waiting period tested his resolve: “A day, a week, a month went by. Nothing came.” But eventually, this meticulous preparation led to discussions, interviews, and due diligence processes with Amazon. By the end of 2020, they had signed an agreement for deliveries in downtown Toronto.

Revenue First: A Critical Insight

One of Moatez’s most emphatic pieces of advice is avoiding the common startup mistake of prioritizing infrastructure over revenue. His early days involved knocking on doors at every plaza, asking retailers if they needed delivery services. “I used to do the actual deliveries myself as well as the business development.”

“Many people start a business with an expense list as their first focus. But what truly matters is whether someone is willing to pay for your product or service. Until someone pays you, it’s just a hobby—not a business.”

The Power of Action Over Perfect Planning

While preparation is important, Moatez advocates for moving forward even with incomplete information: “Don’t dwell a lot on ideas in your mind. Take it forward, even if it’s 60-70% of it.” His experience demonstrates the greater value of taking action. “I took action and registered the company, MyCourier, with the goal of exploring the last-mile delivery industry. MyCourier wasn’t truly ‘built’ at that time—it was just me, and the company was only just born.”

The distinction between theoretical planning and practical execution became clear through his hands-on approach. While building MyCourier, he encountered numerous operational challenges – problems with vehicles, hiring, insurance – but chose to solve them while keeping the business running. “The most important thing is solving problems while you’re still in motion. I was still working on-site as a dispatcher, ensuring trucks and drivers were on the road and supporting them throughout the day—all while building the business itself.”

Handling day-to-day operations while building systems for growth proved crucial as Moatez would soon realize, “I didn’t have the full understanding of the last mile delivery. But I said I’ll just move forward even if it’s one step, it will help take action.” His lesson? Waiting for perfect understanding or perfect conditions often leads to missed opportunities.

Managing the Emotional Journey

Moatez emphasizes the importance of handling the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship: “The emotional side kicks in because, early on, you often find yourself reflecting on previous roles. It’s natural to feel connected to those experiences, but that’s when I knew I needed to shift gears quickly and stay focused on the present.” This emotional challenge was particularly evident during his transition from corporate executive to delivery driver. He notes that emotions can snowball if not managed properly and stresses the importance of accepting these feelings while not letting them overtake you. The key, he found, was to acknowledge the emotions but stay focused on performing well in whatever role you currently have, as performance and value creation can help shift your mindset from what you were to what you’re becoming.

The Value of Community Engagement

Early community engagement was an area where Moatez believes he could have improved: “I thought I knew everything myself.” He now actively engages with various community organizations, including the Oakville Chamber and Altitude Accelerator, emphasizing that “the more you engage with the community, the more the community will give you as a reward.” His experience with Altitude Accelerator, in particularl, demonstrates this value: “Through the program, I received guidance on pivoting the company’s software development and I connected with industry leaders who helped shape my understanding of technology and software development.” This community engagement not only provided practical support but also helped create a network of vendors, suppliers, and mentors who contributed to MyCourier’s growth.

Problem-Solving as a Business Strategy

Moatez’s approach to problem-solving represents a fundamental shift in how entrepreneurs might view challenges. Rather than seeing problems as obstacles, he advocates viewing them as opportunities for business growth and client value creation. “Every problem is an opportunity. When a problem arises, I remind myself to be grateful and ask for the strength to solve it, because solving problems is what people pay us for. I tell my team: when we face a challenge, we’re actually fortunate. Clients don’t pay us when things are smooth—they pay us when things are tough, and they need our help.”

This problem-solving mindset manifested in several ways throughout MyCourier’s growth:

Initial Market Entry: When he discovered grocery stores struggling with delivery capacity, he saw a problem to solve rather than a barrier to entry.

Operational Challenges: “There were countless challenges. It was a new industry, a new environment. I faced issues with vehicles, hiring, and insurance—problems I had to solve on the spot, one by one.”

Client Solutions: His approach to working with Amazon demonstrated how solving complex operational problems could lead to stronger client relationships. He focused on “trying to think how can I optimize? How can I make this a real, genuine process driven business that can grow and eventually add value to the team that is there for the client and for the community?”

The key to this approach is maintaining momentum while solving problems: “You’re solving problems while you’re still walking.” Rather than halting operations to perfect solutions, Moatez advocates for continuous improvement while maintaining service delivery. This approach helped MyCourier evolve from a single-driver operation to a comprehensive logistics solution provider.

His success with this strategy came from three main principles:

Quick Response: Rather than getting overwhelmed by problems, tackle them immediately while maintaining operations.

Value Creation: Focus on how solving each problem creates value for clients and strengthens the business.

Systematic Approach: While solving immediate problems, work on developing systems and processes to prevent similar issues in the future.

This problem-solving approach eventually led to innovative solutions, including the development of their own operations management software. “We developed in-house software that enhanced our operations, bringing us closer to what I call operational excellence through dynamic performance improvement.”

For entrepreneurs following this path, Moatez emphasizes that the goal isn’t to avoid problems but to approach them as opportunities for growth and value creation. This shift from seeing problems as obstacles to viewing them as opportunities for business development has been crucial to MyCourier’s success and continues to drive their innovation and growth.

Scaling with Purpose

MyCourier’s growth presents a methodical approach to scaling. From handling basic deliveries, the company expanded into furniture delivery, developed proprietary software for operations management, and grew their team to 200 people. This evolution wasn’t just about adding services, as Moaz highlighted, it focused on “I focused on optimizing and building a genuine, process-driven business that could grow sustainably, adding value for the team, serving the client, and benefiting the community.”

Looking Forward

Today, MyCourier operates with a diverse fleet handling everything from small parcels to furniture delivery. The company has developed its own software for operations management, demonstrating how starting small and building systematically can lead to significant innovation.

For entrepreneurs at any stage, particularly those navigating new markets or transitioning from corporate careers, Moatez’s journey reveals how to effectively develop a building sustainable business. His emphasis on revenue first, hands-on learning, and gradual scaling provides a realistic approach to business development that can be adapted to various contexts and industries. As he notes, “Every country has its own formula. Every country has its own main plan. So, if you’re only stuck in what you can do, this is where the whole snowball will happen.”

Altitude Accelerator is committed to supporting cleantech founders through expert advisory services and specialized programming. Our organization offers valuable resources and guidance to help innovators in the clean technology sector thrive and grow. If you’re interested in learning more about how we support early-stage founders, please visit our website. We are now accepting applications for Investor Readiness and Market Readiness. To learn more about our programs please check out the program page.  

The post Moatassem Moatez, Founder of MyCourier: His Journey of Resilience and Reinvention appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

When Do Startups Need HR?

altaccelerator — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:12:05 +0000

by Mehr Sokhanda

Many startup founders view Human Resources (HR) as a function that can wait until later stages of growth. They often rely on quick fixes and informal processes while focusing primarily on product development and market entry. However, this approach can create significant risks and missed opportunities for building a strong foundation. In an insightful discussion during Altitude Accelerator’s recent Tech Uncensored episode, Beth Nevins, founder of developa.io and expert in talent management, shared her critical insights about when and how startups should approach people management.

“While network connections and HR hacks work as Band-Aid solutions to get a startup to where they need to go, the growth stage offers a greater mandate to acquire great talent, effectively manage expansion, and develop a culture where employees feel connected to the company’s mission,” she explains.

The Evolution from HR to People Experience

The traditional view of Human Resources has undergone significant change in recent years. Where HR was once primarily focused on administration, productivity metrics, and back-office support, modern startups are embracing a more balanced approach called People Experience (PX). This shift represents a fundamental change in how companies think about their relationship with employees.

“PX is about alignment – there’s no ‘first’ involved. It’s about aligning business needs and employee team needs simultaneously. That gives us the best outcome, having weighed up all needs and trade-offs involved,” says Nevins. This new approach focuses on cultivation rather than pure measurement, considering what inputs enhance output and create sustainable growth. The emphasis has shifted from simply managing human resources to designing systems and processes that support both business objectives and employee well-being.

Rather than positioning employee needs against business requirements, PX seeks to find solutions that serve both simultaneously. This alignment creates stronger organizations and more sustainable growth patterns. The role of people teams has expanded beyond traditional HR functions to include strategic planning, cultural development, and organizational design.

Essential HR Elements for Early-Stage Startups

Even at the earliest stages, certain HR fundamentals cannot be neglected. For startups with just a founder and co-founder, or up to ten employees, some elements are non-negotiable. Nevins emphasizes that while budget constraints are real, certain investments must be made to protect the company’s future.

“Founders will have to spend money on contracts. That’s the first thing they should seek advice on. They may decide to use an automated tool or get legal advice from an employment lawyer, but that’s spend you can’t avoid,” Nevins states firmly. She particularly emphasizes the importance of proper documentation for technology companies, noting that NDAs and IP protection might be critical from day one.

Beyond legal documentation, strategic hiring becomes paramount. The first 10-20 hires will determine the company’s trajectory. “If you haven’t got the right element in the first 0 to 20, you’re not getting anywhere anyway. Working out how you can use that budget creatively is going to be important in getting the right initial founding team,” Nevins explains. She advocates for creative solutions to attract talent, including equity arrangements, future role promises, and strategic partnerships.

The Critical Role of Recruiting

Recruiting in early-stage startups requires a sophisticated approach despite limited resources. Nevins outlines several strategies that founders can employ to build their initial teams effectively. First, she emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing networks: “Three people may have 10 connections each – that’s already 30 connections you can tap into.” This network-based approach can help startups access talent pools without significant recruitment spending.

Communication skills become particularly crucial in early recruitment efforts. As Nevins points out, “If you can’t translate that vision on free platforms that are at your disposal and articulate that really well from a copywriting perspective, then it’s very hard to attract the people that you need when you’ve got low brand recognition – all you’ve got is yourself and your words.”

When it comes to professional recruiters, Nevins emphasizes quality over quantity: “Founders need to hire absolutely unbelievable recruiters because they need to do the heavy lifting. They will probably have great experience to navigate through situational relevance, assess for risk, evaluate motivations, and determine stage alignment. They’re being relied on to do a lot of assessment and, on top of business development as well. “

Culture Building and Values

The development of company culture requires both organic growth and intentional design. Nevins makes a clear distinction between values and culture that helps founders understand how to approach each aspect as she states “Values stay the same over time, while culture is more fluid. Values are key enablers to achieve our mission and help us make decisions, particularly useful in times of conflict and crisis. Culture is about the idiosyncrasies and rituals we have at each stage that help us get the work done.”

This distinction becomes particularly important as companies grow and face changes. Values provide stability and guidance during transitions, while culture adapts to support the company’s current needs. Good culture development requires attention to both the formal and informal aspects of how work gets done. It includes everything from communication patterns to decision-making processes, from team interactions to problem-solving approaches.

The Role of Founders vs. People Teams

One of the most important clarifications Nevins makes is about the relationship between founders and people teams when it comes to organizational culture. “The founder is accountable for the culture. The CEO, depending on what stage they’re at, is accountable. It’s not just or only HR or people teams,” she states emphatically. This accountability manifests primarily through role modelling and decision-making patterns.

People teams play a critical supporting role by establishing design principles for operations and infrastructure, setting and maintaining performance standards, supporting recruitment of aligned talent, and facilitating necessary changes during growth phases. They act as enablers and facilitators rather than primary owners of culture.

“I encourage the founder to lead people,” Nevins explains. “Some people get excited that they’ve got this role at the table. But I came to really appreciate that it’s all about the founder – push it onto the founder; help the founder; make sure the founder wants this in terms of their vision and their view on people.”

Managing Risk and Growth

As startups grow, they face increasing risks from inadequate people management practices. Nevins outlines three primary categories of business risk that need attention: execution risk, financial risk, and brand risk. Each category requires different mitigation strategies and carries different implications for the organization’s growth.

When addressing these risks, Nevins recommends a balanced approach that considers both immediate and long-term implications. “You need to analyze the reward versus the risk. Sometimes growing and accepting some debt and risk is actually a trade-off to achieve big things if it pays off.” This pragmatic view helps founders make informed decisions about where to invest limited resources.

She particularly emphasizes the importance of having open discussions about risk scenarios and their potential impact on existing roadmaps. “If the risk is ignored and then it happens, the people leader needs to to make sure that’s discussed upfront with the founder. If we ignore this and it happens, this is the impact then on our existing road map in terms of delivery.”

Building for the Future

As startups mature, their people management needs become increasingly complex. “Post product-market fit, the founder needs to take off some hats,” Nevins explains. “They start working on the company and their leadership team rather than all the minutia of every single task.” This transition requires developing new capabilities within the organization.

The evolution includes building business partnering capabilities, developing change management skills, creating systems for cross-functional collaboration, establishing clear communication channels, and setting up scalable processes. Each of these elements requires careful attention and investment, but they form the foundation for sustainable growth.

“Culture is organic, but it also has to be intentional,” Nevins concludes. “You need to be a little bit intentional for what you’re looking for and how that might play out at each stage.” This balance between organic development and intentional design characterizes successful people management in growing startups.

While early-stage startups may be tempted to postpone investing in proper people management, the foundations laid in these early days significantly impact future success. By understanding when and how to implement proper people management practices, founders can build organizations that not only attract and retain top talent but also create sustainable, healthy cultures that support long-term growth.

We are currently accepting applications for our Investor Readiness and our Market Readiness programs!

Apply for our Investor Readiness program here

Apply for the Market Readiness program here.

The post When Do Startups Need HR? appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

The Inaugural Responsible AI Ecosystem Summit Paves a Pathway towards Inclusive Economic Prosperity

altaccelerator — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:10:14 +0000

This post was written by Hessie Jones and Ryan Panela

On October 24, 2024, Women in AI Ethics launched its inaugural Responsible AI Ecosystem Summit in New York City, hosted in collaboration with the Canadian Consulate General in New York and Altitude Accelerator. A delegation of investors, researchers, founders and practitioners and innovators, including strong participation from Canada, convened to build a responsible and ethical AI ecosystem advocating for human-centered design.

Mia Sha-Dand, CEO of Lighthouse3 and Founder of Women in AI Ethics emphasized,

“This summit reflects our core mission and key role as a catalyst in the global movement

towards sustainable and responsible AI. While AI presents many benefits, there is an urgent need for new AI solutions that minimize risks and ensure benefits from AI are distributed equitably. We believe that a thriving responsible AI ecosystem is the pathway to new opportunities, economic growth, prosperity, and vibrant technological futures that include all of us.”

This inaugural event covered the following critical topics:

Canadian support for diverse founders through the Canadian Technology Accelerator

AI Safety Alignment

AI and Privacy

Funding Diverse Founders

Our esteemed speakers included: Patricia Thaine, Co-Founder & CEO of Private AI; Jurgita Miseviciute, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Proton; Saima Fancy, Senior Privacy Specialist, Ontario Health; Aakanksha, Member of Technical Staff in the Safety team, Cohere; Giselle Melo, Managing Partner of Matr Ventures; Gayatri Sarkar, Owner and CEO, owner of Advaita Capital; Fadwa Mohanna, Founder and CEO of One37

Key Takeaways:

Integration of Trust and AI

Safia Morsly-Fikai, Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada in New York interviewed Fadwa Mohanna of One37, which enables businesses and users to connect, exchange, and verify data. Mohanna, an alumnus of the Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA), which helps diverse Canadian entrepreneurs with high potential businesses expand in the U.S. market.

Mohanna has become a pioneer in secure identity-based authentication, reducing fraud and ensuring seamless, safe and secure AI-powered user interactions.

One37 allows for the verification of incoming and outgoing information between business and consumers through verifiable credentials and effectively uses QR code authentication where customer data remains in their digital wallets.

One37’s novel integration with IBM’s WatsonAI will, as per Mohanna, transforms how business operates. New features including chatbots for bill payments, booking services or dispute resolution across financial institutions can be effective while maintaining privacy and preventing the transmission of PII (personally identifiable information) between the end consumer and the business.

AI Safety and Alignment

AI safety focuses on ensuring AI systems operate safely and ethically without causing harm or unintended consequences. As large language models become more prevalent, choosing the right training data for safety alignment is crucial. However, this raises the question: Alignment to what? Whose values? Despite global AI use, safety measures often prioritize Western-centric concerns and homogeneous, and contexts to one-language.

Data diversity and multilingual datasets play a vital role in minimizing AI-related harms. The challenge lies in optimizing large language models for various languages and cultural preferences while addressing both global and local issues. Saima Fancy discussed these concerns with Aakanksha from Cohere, in safeguarding AI systems designed to serve global populations.

Saima Fancy is the Senior Privacy Specialist at Ontario Health and has spent a career at the intersection of privacy, security, and technology, with a specific focus on the emergence of generative and agentic Al. Fancy’s cross-functional experience in engineering, data privacy, and security has spanned two decades and she is an internationally recognized advocate for responsible Al practices. Her work is focused on protecting consumer privacy rights and promoting commercial collaborations to drive the development of privacy-preserving Al solutions.

Aakanksha is currently a Member of Technical Staff in the Safety team at Cohere. She was also a research scholar with Cohere for AI, where she worked on multilingual safety. She holds a Master’s degree in computer science from New York University and has had research experience in robotics, reinforcement learning, and demand forecasting.

Aakanksha confirmed that most of today’s models are trained primarily in English, German and French and it’s increasingly clear there is linguistic inequity and lack of diversity in most training data. Cohere is dedicated to developing models trained on multi-lingual data and enlists participation from many countries, across cultures and languages to ensure representation.

How does Cohere ensure context to the original language is maintained and not inadvertently misrepresented in translation? If sentences have the same meaning across languages, embedding models will demonstrate high semantic similarity between the pieces of text even though they are in differing languages. Cohere’s models do not contain an automatic translation prior to linguistic encoding which is meant to preserve the specific nuances across languages. This can be useful when it comes to translating or summarizing medical notes and, as Aakanksha noted, communication of medication outcomes and treatment plans in a manner that is culturally appropriate to the patient.

Is there a risk to the data that is collected for training? Cohere does not store data but rather the raw model is provided to the enterprise for their respective use and fine-tuning. In addition, synthetic data is used to train the multilingual models, as it is necessary for data augmentation and may, in the process, remove some of the biases that are present in human data.

AI Privacy

Privacy is a fundamental right. It is essential to an individual’s dignity and enjoyment of personal freedoms. The right to privacy is enshrined in Canada’s federal laws and in the constitutions of the majority of countries around the world. The AI boom and the proliferation of large language models (LLMs) poses new challenges for privacy. As personal information becomes part of models’ training data, it presents a serious risk of private information being leaked through model output and exposed through third-party hacks. Individual control over personal information now seems elusive. We heard from Patricia Thaine of Private AI and Jurgita Miseviciute of Proton, two leading privacy-centered technology companies, who shared how their respective organizations are protecting user privacy and ensuring security of their personal information.

Proton

Jurgita Miseviciute is the Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Proton. She is responsible for Proton’s global public policy and antitrust efforts and leads Proton’s engagement with politicians, governments, regulatory agencies, and other relevant stakeholders worldwide. Miseviciute spoke about the dawn of Proton and Andy Yen, CEO’s vision for their organization.

Proton is Swiss based technology company that is built on the philosophy that the data privacy is at the forefront of bettering the internet and technology landscape. Proton was born in 2014, an initiative launched by Andy Yen and a group of scientists who met at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

After Edward Snowdon’s revelations about the NSA surveillance program, the founders launched a crowdfunding campaign for one simple vision: “to remake the internet in a way that is private by default, and serves the interest of all of society, and not just the interest of a few Silicon Valley tech giants.”

“Proton has since grown to a global privacy powerhouse. What started as Proton Mail, now the world’s largest encrypted email service, has blossomed into an ecosystem of privacy-centric products including Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. These services have become the vanguard of a movement that puts user privacy first, protecting over 100 million accounts worldwide and employing over 500 people.”

Mail was the first product launched by the company. Proton is end-to-end encrypted, and the company does not hold the keys needed to decrypt user data, which means it is unable to access user data even if it wanted to. Miseviciute stresses “This allows the user to take back their privacy. Everything that is written in email stops with the user.” The company structure removes their position as the middleman between the user and potential government access, effectively stopping the latter from requesting access to user data.

Proton believes privacy is integral to AI models, and rather than AI models adding privacy components after the fact, they should be integrated into the technology from the beginning. For all Proton products, AI data is secure and will not be used for training without consent.

Proton’s belief is that AI models should be open source to distribute overall capacity, instead of being in control by a handful of organizations.

Private AI

Patricia Thaine, Co-Founder & CEO of Private AI, a Microsoft-backed startup who raised their Series A led by the BDC. Private AI was named a 2023 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and a Gartner Cool Vendor. Thaine was on Maclean’s magazine Power List 2024 for being one of the top 100 Canadians shaping the country.

Thaine pointed to the exposure of PII and its use in AI models as the main concern in modern technology. PrivateAI is an AI model aimed at identifying and suppressing PII through redaction and pseudonymization. While the idea is not new, PrivateAI uses a structure that increases overall performance and accuracy. Thaine indicated that regular expressions, which identify common patterns in PII expression and out of the box models are not effective, as she states, “Humans do not always write or speak in a manner that can be accurately interpreted by their models; however, the integration of AI into these systems can help to improve overall performance.”

To build their model it begins with identifying what is PII and what risk does each type of information contain. Private AI’s model not only allows the user to select the type of PII to detect and remediate; it also allows them to keep up to date with all privacy legislations.

When it comes to model training with sensitive information, Thaine reveals that data can be decoded from the embedding space and reveals much of the sensitive information which was used for training. She adds that PII in training data should be cleaned and/or anonymized prior to model training.

PrivateAI can now be integrated with other LLM models such has ChatGPT. Thaine says that PII is redacted prior to ChatGPT input; output is received from ChatGPT and only then is where PII is reinserted into the output text. LLMs do not gain access to sensitive information.

Funding Diverse Founders

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a significant area of research and investment for many decades. In 2023, venture capital (VC) investment in Generative AI reached $21.3 billion globally compared to just $1 billion in 2018.

Despite the surge in funding, VCs face a new landscape of regulatory uncertainty and growing ethical risks related to the development of LLMs. Founders are faced with risk of market saturation and a challenging path to monetization especially in developing a moat around LLMs which are controlled by a few large organizations.

In addition, women and minorities are drastically underrepresented in venture capital while women-led tech startups only get a fraction of total tech VC funding, which threatens to further exacerbate the inequity in this space.

I led this discussion with Giselle Melo, Managing Director, MATR Ventures and Gayatri Sarkar, Owner of Advaita Capital.

Gayatri Sarkar is the owner of Advaita Capital, one of the few/only growth VC fund in the

US owned by a woman-POC. They invest in generative AI, deep tech and decarbonization advancing the human race. Cheque sizes are $10-50M+ and they have invested in Stripe, Epic Games, Neuralink, Cohere and other top generative ai companies as well. Sarkar was awarded Global Leader under 40 for championing $100B+ combined capital in gender advocacy through She-VC podcast.

Before starting Matr Ventures, Giselle was a Partner and Head of Investment Banking at a Canadian boutique advisory firm, with over 5 billion in buy/sell transactions for the wealth management industry, including Banks, Private Wealth, Institutional firms, and family offices. Giselle is also a former exited founder with a 13-year track record, leading software systems, machine learning design, and engineering across multiple sectors. As the Managing Partner of Matr Ventures, Giselle is known for her strategic acumen and dedication to supporting high-growth, deep-tech investments. She is also an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with Altitude Accelerator.

The current landscape where women and minority founders are disproportionately funded in the startup technology space. While that was highlighted at least 5 years ago, not much has changed. Overall, while there has been increased awareness and some initiatives to support underrepresented founders, the statistics show that significant disparities persist, and in some cases, have worsened over the past five years.

When it comes to pitch decks slide-by-slide attention from investors varies greatly amongst teams of different demographics. In 2023, VCs spent 66% more time on all-female team sections compared to all-male team slides. VCs also spent the most time on minority teams’ team slides, 20% more than all-white teams. What was not surprising: all-male fundraising asks sections received 25% more time than all-female sections. For many founders, this is a function of an investment sector that has been dominated by males for many years.

As female, persons-of-colour VC fund owners, the statistics are not surprising, however both contend that most deep tech companies do not have a DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) agenda. Melo acknowledged that MATR is a performance-based fund investing in late seed to Series A deep tech software companies led by inclusive teams.

The gap in dollars raised between all-female and all-male teams widened for the second consecutive year. All-female teams with minority members saw the most significant increase in fundraising times while securing the least amount of capital among all demographics. On average, all-female teams raised 43% less than their all-male counterparts, while diverse teams raised 26% less than all-white teams.

For Sarkar, and a fund that stands alone as a female-led, person-of colour-led fund at the series B stage, she has seen zero deals from female founders. Sarkar recognizes there is still more work that needs to be done. She reflects,

“Many women find themselves having to IPO their companies after Series A and B rounds because they struggle to raise funds for Series C and D. The lack of women writing larger checks is a significant issue. Venture capital, once a nascent asset class, has evolved but it remains challenging to secure a spot on the cap tables of certain firms.”

And while having a champion that vouches for your company can make all the difference, Sarkar stresses that the hurdles they face as a growth fund when it comes to board approvals are symptoms of a broader systemic problem. One issue is the scarcity of women leading growth funds and when she started Advaita, she was advised to raise an early-stage fund.

For Melo, when asked about the challenge of closed networks and who decides who gets to be on the cap table, she acknowledged at Series A she has the flexibility to decide. With the pervasiveness of applied AI and deep tech, her robust network of deep tech subject matter experts and commercialization leaders who may also be investors provides an additional layer of skill sets to interrogate models, scrutinize the technology, and ask the hard questions. This provides a unique service to help derisk investments during the due diligence process and support the growth of her portfolio companies. It also creates opportunities for investors to access untapped investment opportunities.

While Sarkar and Melo represent funds with the intention to bring more diversity into the tech and investment ecosystem, clearly this is an uphill battle that will take time.

Summit Reflections

The learning, the conversations, the successes, the awareness and the numbers that showed up for this important event painted a clear picture of the enormous change that will emerge in the coming years. Responsible AI and ethics are now mainstream. But it will require education and investment in resources to make startups truly AI ready. Altitude Accelerator is committed to doing this and enabling success as AI evolves. It will also require a village to make this happen. We have that village.

About: Ryan Panela is a PhD Student in the Department of Psychology, University of Toronto and Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education; and MSc Student in the Department of Computing, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.

The post The Inaugural Responsible AI Ecosystem Summit Paves a Pathway towards Inclusive Economic Prosperity appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

Investor Readiness 6: Congratulations to Otolabs, Talent Samurai and XRev Studio

altaccelerator — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:59:25 +0000

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!

The post Investor Readiness 6: Congratulations to Otolabs, Talent Samurai and XRev Studio appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

Building Cleantech Success in Canada for Startup VISA Founders: Bryan Duarte, Black Tech Capital and Martin Vroegh, Hydrogenii Canada

altaccelerator — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:15:44 +0000

by Mehr Sokhanda

As Canada races toward its 2030 environmental goals, the opportunities for cleantech startups are immense. Martin Vroegh, CEO of HydrogenII Canada and founding member of Ontario Clean Tech Industry Association, together with Bryan Duarte, Managing Partner at Black Tech Capital, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Altitude Accelerator, who brings over 30 years of energy industry experience share their expertise on why Canada is becoming a global hub for cleantech startups. Both are seasoned cleantech experts dedicated to advancing sustainability and clean technology initiatives, providing salient advice to help international founders navigate Canada’s thriving sector.

Why Canada for Cleantech?

“There’s a lot of opportunity,” says Duarte, highlighting the multi-layered market potential. “Depending on the scale of opportunity a founder or company is taking advantage of, there are so many different opportunities from a market perspective. There’s the local perspective, there’s the Great Lakes’ perspective, there’s the greater Toronto area perspective, there’s the international aspect.”

Canada’s cleantech sector offers a robust ecosystem for startups, backed by significant economic activity and government support. In 2022, Canadian businesses have generated 38.4 billion in environmental and clean technology goods and services, which has climbed 14.8% YOY, with the sector contributing over $67.5 billion to Canada’s GDP. For startups, this means access to established supply chains, experienced talent, and growing market demand.

“You have a very high caliber of well-educated pool of talent, including strong employment opportunities,” Duarte emphasizes. “We have a diverse range of companies, from small startups to large enterprises. This variety is particularly unique to metropolitan areas of this size, especially in the cleantech sector.”

A Natural Testing Ground for Innovation

One of Canada’s standout features is its role as an ideal testing environment for new technologies. Martin Vroegh, CEO of Hydrogenii Canada and founding board member of the Ontario Clean Tech Industry Association, explains the unique advantages: “We can have a summer day in the 30s (degrees) but we can also have a winter day in the minus 30-degree Celsius… We air condition everything in the summer and we heat everything in the winter. This is an ideal place to showcase technologies that enhance energy efficiency, whether through creating tighter building envelopes or optimizing energy usage.”

Canada’s diverse landscape offers unique testing opportunities for cleantech innovations. As Vroegh explains, “Within a short travel time, you can test your technologies in both densely populated urban areas and remote rural locations.” This geographical diversity enables companies to evaluate their products and services under a wide range of conditions and in various market settings, from bustling city centers to isolated communities. Such versatility in testing environments is invaluable for refining and validating cleantech solutions before broader market deployment.

The Altitude Accelerator Advantage for Startup VISA Cleantech Founders:

Altitude Accelerator’s partnership with BHive delivers a comprehensive 9-month program designed specifically for international founders. The program includes:

Up to $500,000 in technology credits for scaling operations

Potential access to $100,000 in SDTC non-dilutive funding

Expert mentorship and industry connections

Strategic market entry support and guidance

Specialized cleantech programming

“We are very much focused on going beyond what’s just typical for an accelerator,” Duarte emphasizes. “We’ve got things like Champions Panels where we bring in industry experts– Altitude has 60 different advisers–and that kind of attention and focus on your business is key.”

Strategic Location Benefits

The program’s location offers distinct advantages. “Brampton is uniquely situated nestled right in between two of the largest cities within the Golden Horseshoe in that greater Toronto area – Toronto and Mississauga,” says Duarte. “You’ve got the proximity to the airport… you’re very close to Waterloo, one of our big hubs for development technology and AI, just a 40–45-minute drive.”

This prime location provides access to:

Major transportation hubs

Research institutions

Technology corridors

Manufacturing facilities

Large customer base

Skilled workforce

Key Market Opportunities

Canada presents several promising areas for cleantech innovation:

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) presents significant opportunities in Canada’s cleantech sector, as Duarte explains the conditions combined that influence this:

Carbon pricing policies: The implementation of carbon taxes and pricing mechanisms creates economic incentives for emissions reduction.
Presence of large emitters: Major industrial sectors contribute significantly to emissions:

In Alberta, the oil and gas industry is a primary target for CCUS technologies.

On the East Coast, coal-fired power plants present another opportunity for carbon capture.

3. Urgent need: There’s a substantial gap between current emissions levels and climate goals, creating a pressing demand for effective carbon capture and utilization solutions.

Battery and EV Technologies

Vroegh highlights the significant developments in battery technologies and manufacturing facilities in the region, particularly related to electric vehicles (EVs). He states, “With the emphasis on battery technologies and the construction of new battery plants, there is a strong focus on manufacturing and EV technologies.” These advancements present valuable opportunities for startups in both the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.

Research and Development Support

Altitude Accelerator offers unique research and development (R&D) advantages through its partnership with GreenCentre Canada, a specialized chemistry lab based in Kingston, Ontario. Duarte elaborates on this valuable connection:

“Our collaboration with GreenCentre Canada provides startups with access to advanced chemistry resources typically available only to large corporations. GreenCentre can help you with chemical analysis; they can help you dive deeper into your technology with specialized assistance whether it’s biofuels or other green technologies.

This partnership enables cleantech startups to leverage professional-grade lab facilities and expert knowledge, accelerating their product development and innovation processes without the need for significant capital investment in R&D infrastructure.”

This arrangement significantly enhances the R&D capabilities available to cleantech startups in the Altitude Accelerator program, providing them with resources that can be crucial for refining and scaling their technologies.

Important Considerations for International Cleantech Founders

Succeeding in the Canadian market demands thorough preparation and a deep understanding of the country’s unique characteristics. Vroegh emphasizes two key points:

Market and population knowledge: Entrepreneurs must gain a comprehensive understanding of Canada’s diverse markets and population demographics across different regions.
Transportation logistics: Canada’s vast geography poses significant challenges for distribution and supply chain management. As Vroegh explains, “Moving products across Canada, such as from Toronto to Vancouver or Montreal, is vastly different from operating in a smaller country due to our immense geographical size.”

Starting Your Journey

Through the Startup Visa program, international founders begin with:

3-month virtual training with BHive
Move to Canada with full support
6 months of specialized cleantech programming
Ongoing expert guidance

When it comes to human resources and immigration Duarte adds , “The Startup Visa program is designed to facilitate international entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses in Canada, hiring Canadian talent, manufacturing products locally, and developing services here.

Ready to launch your cleantech innovation in Canada? Connect with Altitude Accelerator to learn how our Startup VISA Program can help you succeed in the Canadian market.

The post Building Cleantech Success in Canada for Startup VISA Founders: Bryan Duarte, Black Tech Capital and Martin Vroegh, Hydrogenii Canada appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

Fresh Perspectives: Meet Our New Board Members at Altitude Accelerator

altaccelerator — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:02:44 +0000

by Hessie Jones

Altitude Accelerator is pleased to welcome its new board members:

Director: Moien Giashi, Principal, GreenSky Capital

Ex Officio Director: Amber Pajtasz, Officer Economic Development, Humber River Centre

Director: Nick Kuryluk Founder, Cosality

Director: Holly Gardner, Ph.D., VP, Operations, NuPort Robotics Inc., Researcher, Cybersecurity Research Lab, TMU

Altitude Accelerator is an innovation hub and business incubator which has been dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and startups for over 15 years. Our story started in Mississauga, Ontario in 2009 with the Research Innovation and Commercialization Centre (RIC) which operated for over 10 years, before moving to Brampton, where it was rebranded Altitude Accelerator.

Altitude’s core mission has remained consistent throughout its evolution: To commercialize impactful technology; to support startups at various stages of development and to provide access to resources, mentorship and networking opportunities.

Our new board members had this to say:

Moien Giashi, Director

“I am thrilled to join the Altitude Accelerator board and contribute to its mission of empowering startups to scale and succeed in this rapidly evolving tech ecosystem. Altitude has a strong reputation for fostering entrepreneurship and providing invaluable resources to early-stage companies.

I look forward to leveraging my experience in deep tech, venture capital, and innovation strategy to help scale these startups and drive transformative change. My main objective as a board member is to support founders in navigating complex challenges, accelerate their path to market, and contribute to the continued success of Altitude’s impactful ecosystem.”

Amber Pajtasz, Ex-Officio:

“I am looking forward to serving as a Board member for Altitude Accelerator, a crucial hub for innovation in the Region of Peel and beyond. With nearly a decade of experience in local economic development, including my recent role as Economic Development Officer for the Town of Caledon, I have gained valuable insights into the challenges that entrepreneurs face and the support they need to thrive. At Altitude Accelerator, I hope to contribute by developing relationships and fostering connections between stakeholders in Caledon and the broader tech and innovation community.”

Nick Kuryluk, Founder, Cosality:

“I am thrilled to join the board of Altitude Accelerator and be part of an organization that is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Brampton and beyond. As a former CEO of a startup and a current member of the Brampton Angels, I am passionate about helping startups navigate the challenges of growth and scale. Having experienced the opportunities and hurdles of building a company firsthand, and now working as an investor, I bring a unique perspective that bridges both sides of the entrepreneurial journey. I look forward to contributing to the success of Altitude Accelerator’s clients by providing guidance and support that can help them achieve their goals and thrive in Canada’s dynamic startup ecosystem.”

Holly Gardner, Ph.D., VP, Operations, NuPort Robotics Inc., Researcher, Cybersecurity Research Lab, TMU:

“I am excited to be part of Altitude Accelerator as an industry representative. I look forward to helping build greater capacity for advanced technology startups to thrive and grow with Altitude. Additionally, I hope to introduce a stronger emphasis on climate adaptation and resilience in our built environment by fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders, visionary entrepreneurs, early adopters, and all levels of government, enabling us to make a meaningful impact together.”

To Our Departing Directors: Thank You for Your Leadership

We would also like to thank our outgoing directors for their time and dedication to the RIC Centre and their contributions to rebranding Altitude Accelerator.

Patrick McGuire, Global Sales Executive of Roster Logix, joined in 2014 and served over 10 years on the board in various capacities. Patrick has been instrumental in contributing to our sales and marketing initiatives and launching and leading Altitude’s podcast series, Startups Transformed, that has been highly subscribed.

Ray Kingdon, Managing Director of Kingdon Communication, has been on the board since 2018 and has greatly contributed to the business development and relationship building for the RIC Centre and Altitude Accelerator and most recently contributed to the Finance Committee. Ray’s strong introductions to key Chambers of Commerce around the world assisted in the development of programming to support Altitude’s Startup Visa Program.

Jeff Fallowfield, President, Recovery Solutions, joined us in 2020 and led the Finance committee, in a financial oversight role, as well as supporting engagement with the auditor. Jeff had a keen and dedicated eye on our financing efforts with three levels of government and kept the board abreast of the conditions and requirements of the future.

Ben Roberts, Senior Business Development Officer was the Ex-Officio representative from the Town of Caledon on the Board.

Pam Banks, Executive Director of Altitude Accelerator, who spearheaded the creation of the RIC Centre, and now Altitude Accelerator, praised the board members:

“Board renewal is essential for a nonprofit organization to remain dynamic and responsive to its community. Fresh perspectives, diverse experiences, and new energy from incoming board members can help drive innovation and ensure long-term sustainability. We value the contributions of our outgoing board members. Their support and commitment have made Altitude Accelerator what it is today.”

The full list of the Altitude Accelerator board members is below:

Ex-Officio Directors:

Raquel De Souza, Strategic Research Initiatives & Partnerships Manager, University of Toronto, Mississauga

Donna Heslin, Manager, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, City of Mississauga

Carolyn Moorlag, Director of CAMDT & FAST Research, Sheridan College

Amber Pajtasz, Officer Economic Development – Humber River Centre

Devin Ramphal, Innovation Manager Economic Development, City of Brampton

Directors:

Stephen Beney, Principal, Smart & Biggar LP

Moien Giashi, Principal, GreenSky Capital

Paul Grenier, Manager of Government Affairs, Clorox Canada

Holly Gardner, Ph.D., VP, Operations, NuPort Robotics Inc., Researcher, Cybersecurity Research Lab, TMU

Nick Kuralyk, Founder, Cosality

Andrew Opala, Founder and Managing Partner, Preference Capital

Angelo Rizzo, Cofounder, Systems with Intelligence

Alfredo Tan, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Canada Goose

For more information about Altitude Board of Directors or our programs, please contact info@altitudeaccelerator.ca

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CO2L: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions in Climate Technology

altaccelerator — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 21:09:13 +0000

by: Mehr Sokhanda

With the increasing need for solutions that can mitigate atmospheric CO2 emissions, innovators in the clean tech space face a unique set of challenges. From rigorous standards testing and compliance to proving scalability and securing capital, the development cycles in this field are often longer and more complex. One founder shares her journey to develop a solution to reverse the effects of climate change.

Dr. Anh TranLy, CEO and Co-founder of CO2L Technologies, recently shared her entrepreneurial journey during Altitude Accelerator’s Ask A Founder session. Her experiences offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs, especially those navigating the challenging intersection of scientific innovation and market demands.

Her personal connection to climate change is deeply rooted in her hometown, located in the Mekong Delta, which faces the threat of disappearing due to rising sea levels. She stressed how over 60% of her homeland could be submerged within 50 years if climate change continues at its current pace. “In just one or two generations, my children may not have a chance to visit where I grew up,” she shared. The potential loss of her hometown became a powerful driving force behind her work.

Reflecting on her transition from academia, TranLy realized she wanted more from her scientific work than just publishing papers. “I want my science to be impactful. It’s not just collecting data and publishing. It should make some meaningful impact in the world,” she explained. This realization led her to explore entrepreneurship, joining consulting and startup clubs at her university to find ways to turn her scientific knowledge into tangible solutions.

Building in the Climate Tech Landscape: Longer Cycles, Funding, Support and Exposure

Dr. TranLy’s company, CO2L Technologies, focuses on electrochemical CO2 reduction. In contrast to traditional carbon capture and storage (CCS) approaches, CO2L Technologies is pioneering a more innovative and potentially sustainable path in the field of carbon capture and utilization (CCUS) as TranLy explains ” Most ventures today are only focused on the CCS–they capture CO2 from the source and build a very long pipeline to plum it deep underground. In reality this practise costs a lot of money and takes a lot of energy.” In contrast, she highlighted the potential of CCUS, particularly carbon recycling, which CO2L Technologies is pursuing. She stated, “CCU or cap on capture and utilization considers CO2 as a resource from which one can make economic benefit. With carbon recycling, we try to convert our captured CO2 into useful chemicals, materials, minerals or even fuels.”

TranLy further emphasised, “Our philosophy is that most things we use today are made from elements already available in the air and if we can harness these elements directly from the air, we can replace petrochemical-derived products. It might sound like science fiction, but we’re working to make it a reality. We believe that solving climate change doesn’t require a single silver bullet solution. Instead, our world needs many different small solutions working together.”

However, unlike software startups, hardware-focused climate tech often faces longer development cycles and greater resistance from established industries. TranLy noted, “Each mistake in technology development carries a high financial risk, making the implementation of new solutions very challenging. The sales cycle can also be lengthy, requiring significant time to prove and gain trust in the technology.”

CO2L’s growth was supported by various incubators and accelerators, with industry-specific programs to respond to the company’s unique challenges. Tranly shared, “I started at Queen’s University Incubator and Altitude Accelerator, later collaborating with Foresight Canada and Venture for Climate Tech to explore the U.S. market. We’ve validated our MVP with GreenCentre Canada and built strong ties with KPMG and Reaction Hub.” These programs for TranLy have been instrumental in building networks and gaining exposure to different markets.

In terms of funding, CO2L has explored various options, focusing on non-dilutive funding in its early stages. TranLy mentioned several programs her firm pursued including National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistant Program and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Entrepreneurs should research and apply for government grants and non-dilutive funding options- aligning funding strategy with technology development milestones is crucial.

Building a strong support network is essential in the entrepreneurial journey. Partnerships can be key to entering new markets or scaling faster. TranLy emphasized, “Altitude Accelerator has been a tremendous support, providing valuable connections and mentors we continue to learn from. Another thing to consider is that not all similar companies should be viewed as competitors; they can be seen as potential collaborators by examining their value chains more closely, allowing us to create even greater value together.”

The Importance of Diverse Skillsets, and Thoughtful Market Strategy Amidst Uncertainty

As CO2L grew, Tranly recognized the need for skills beyond scientific expertise “Funding is crucial, but equally important is having a diverse skill set for technology development and deployment. Transitioning from a lab-focused role to industry requires expertise in business, marketing, and sales. It’s essential to adapt your commercial strategy, as your initial market may differ from your long-term goals.” Balancing funding with a well-rounded skill set is key to successfully transitioning technology from the lab to the market.

Strategic market entry is also crucial, especially in climate tech. TranLy cautioned against rushing to market with an imperfect product: ” With hard tech and climate tech, if you rush a product to the market that’s imperfect, it could be tricky and potentially damage your reputation in a mature industry.” Entrepreneurs need to balance the pressure to launch quickly with the need for a reliable product. Starting with a minimum viable product (MVP) that addresses a specific need and planning for iterative improvements based on real-world feedback can be an effective approach.

Timing fundraising efforts strategically is crucial. CO2L is carefully planning its next funding round. TranLy shared, “We’re not actively fundraising right now because we’re focused on achieving a key technical milestone. While we’re in touch with various VCs and investors who align with our goals, we plan to start fundraising in the middle of next year.” Moreover, climate tech startups often face uncertainties related to policies and market demand. TranLy mentioned challenges like inconsistent carbon taxes and changing regulations. To address this, entrepreneurs should stay informed about policy changes that could affect their market, develop flexible business models that can adapt to changing regulations, and consider diversifying product applications to reduce dependence on a single market or policy.

The entrepreneurial journey can also be emotionally challenging. TranLy advised, “As a founder, the journey can be stressful and frustrating, so it’s vital to surround yourself with supportive people and prioritize your health. Remember, it’s a marathon not a sprint, and every sales cycle can take years, but together we can support one another along the way.”

Throughout her journey, TranLy has remained focused on creating meaningful impact. She believes in the power of multiple solutions working together: “If each solution can address millions of tons of CO2, thousands of such solutions could collectively tackle the gigatons of CO2 emissions we face.” Entrepreneurs should stay connected to the larger purpose behind their work, consider how their solution fits into the broader ecosystem of climate solutions, and use their impact goals to motivate themselves and their teams during challenging times.

Dr. Anh TranLy’s journey with CO2L Technologies offers a wealth of insights for entrepreneurs in the climate tech space. Her experiences highlight the unique challenges and opportunities in translating scientific innovations into market-ready solutions. The path from lab to market in climate tech is challenging, but with the right approach, it offers the potential for significant business success and positive environmental impact. As the climate tech sector continues to grow, entrepreneurs who can navigate these challenges while staying true to their mission will be well-positioned to make a real difference in addressing climate change.

Watch the Ask the Founder with Dr. Anh TranLy

Altitude Accelerator is committed to supporting cleantech founders through expert advisory services and specialized programming. Our organization offers valuable resources and guidance to help innovators in the clean technology sector thrive and grow. If you’re interested in learning more about how we support cleantech initiatives, please visit our website. To explore our specific programs in greater detail, we encourage you to check out the program page.  

The post CO2L: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions in Climate Technology appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

From Data-Driven to Human-Centric: My Journey in AI Ethics and the Need for a New Mindset in AI Development

altaccelerator — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 01:11:14 +0000

by Hessie Jones

On October 24, 2024, Women in AI Ethics will launch its inaugural Responsible Tech Ecosystem Summit in New York City, in partnership with the Canadian Consulate and sponsored by Altitude Accelerator. As a board member of Women in AI Ethics, I’m excited to be part of this important event that brings together leaders, innovators, and changemakers in AI ethics and responsible technology.

About Women in AI Ethics

Women in AI Ethics began in 2018, when AI development was rapidly growing. At that time, the widespread testing and use of AI/ML systems led to unintended problems not typically seen in software development. Releasing models online to improve their efficacy has caused many of the harms we face today: proliferation of fake profiles and news, digital surveillance, manipulation and personal targeting, among others.

Mia Shah-Dand founded Women in AI Ethics to tackle the many ethical issues in AI, including its effects on society, in particular, the weaponization against women and marginalized groups. Shan-Dad stated:

“We can’t have a meaningful discussion about AI ethics without including marginalized and underrepresented groups in these crucial conversations.”

As AI became moved into mainstream, it has been clear that those receiving recognition for artificial intelligence were mostly white, and mostly male. Shah-Dand created Women in AI Ethics to amplify recognition and representation of talented women, who are making meaningful contributions across these dimensions: commercial systems and safety, roles and rights, sustainability, digital privacy, fairness and accountability and digital and physical safety.

As we approach the first Responsible Tech Ecosystem summit, I think about my own journey into responsible technology. This is the story of how I evolved from a traditional marketer to a privacy and tech ethicist. My journey reflects the rapid emergence of technology and the pressing need for a mindset shift as everything becomes digital.

The Marketing Years: Everything Starts with Data

After graduating with a business degree, I was drawn to marketing and advertising. For over 20 years, I worked to find the right customers for various products and services. I’ve marketed everything from migraine medication and fast food to credit cards and AI technology. Each project to find the right customer always starts with data.

The role of business is to sell their products and services, and data has become crucial in this goal. As people share more of their lives online – their conversations, behaviors, and even body information – data marketers like me saw many opportunities to capitalize on this information.

The Digital Revolution: A New Area to Explore

When digital marketing emerged, it offered new ways to understand customers. We could now access KPIs like website visits, location information, and search behaviors. Social media gave us a treasure trove of data, with people sharing their lives, opinions, and for the first time, their vulnerabilities online.

I worked at Yahoo!, a publishing and ad platform. We measured success across three pillars: reach, revenue, and engagement. We focused on keeping people on our sites longer, creating more ad views and revenue opportunities. Engagement was the most important metric as we continue to see today.

Capitalizing on Big Data

In 2011, I started my own Big Data consulting business, promoting the idea of combining purchase information with social behavior data. I thought that if we had a full picture of the customer – from their social profile to their online actions and purchases – we could stop guessing and start predicting how a potential customer would behave.

I worked for a profiling startup that gave businesses insights from social media, including influence, demographics, location, sentiment, and content, to help them know more about their customers as people. Yet another startup, focused on customer journeys with a focus on improving their paths to purchase: for loan adjudication or insurance qualification, or even purchasing vehicles. The value of having an end to end view of each person’s decision journey was compelling to many businesses.

The Turning Point: Seeing the Dark Side of Data

Over time, I began to see the harmful nature of this data-driven approach. The Netflix show “The Social Dilemma” confirmed my growing worries about how platforms change people’s behavior through engagement metrics. My friend and former colleague, Joe Toscano, was one of the voices in The Social Dilemma and he says this:

“There are much bigger problems with how our data is being used… In the attention marketplace, we pay with our attention. If you think about the linguistic mechanics of our new world, we literally say we ‘pay attention to the screen’ or we often tell our friends and family members to ‘quit paying so much attention to your screen.’ Despite this, we, as a society, have never considered ‘paying attention’ as a realized cost or potential harm to consumer welfare. For this reason, we need to take a moment to understand the fundamentals of the mechanics underlying the attention marketplace.”

After 20 years in data marketing, I now see myself as somewhat of an anti-marketer. I realized we were crossing a dangerous line. The issue wasn’t whether businesses needed all that data to make good decisions – in fact, over time, businesses got used to the flood of data collected about everyone. The problem was that technology had set a standard for how information is used, collected, and managed, while rules and regulations fell behind.

From Customer-Focused to Human-Focused

My journey led me to help start MyData Canada in July 2020. This organization works to promote privacy-protecting, free movement of data across borders and technology-aware digital systems. We support a complete privacy system that addresses data fairness, algorithm bias, children’s privacy, and citizen control of information.

The Stories I Write about Technology Expose Much More

As I started consuming more information in the space, I also found my voice writing for various digital publications including GritDaily, Huffington Post, Towards Data Science, and now, Forbes. In a recent article, I wrote:

“As a writer, I have covered stories about intersectionality and systems of oppression that have shaped technology; I have called out the increasing centralization of authority as Big Tech concentration strengthens at the expense of emerging innovation; I have written about Sam Altman, and the privilege he’s been afforded by Microsoft after he was effectively fired from OpenAI; I have written on the counter-narrative to the dystopian view of AI; I have written about organizations like Proton who continue to combat Big Tech Goliath, and who admonish legislation that increases surveillance across society; I have written about women in AI and the war to quiet the DEI movement in tech and in venture capital; I have written about wealthy investors like Elon Musk who have reshaped social media platforms like X/Twitter to use their power to enable freedom of speech “without fear of retaliation, censorship or legal sanction.” I’ve also written extensively on data privacy, the disrupted alternatives in verifiable credentials, and organizations that are innovating towards compliance.

These are just a sample of the breadcrumbs that have come to shape what society has become today. The emergence of generative AI, how it has inherited and amplified systemic bias, how it’s used to further widen political disparities, and manipulate and spread misinformation seems to be par for the course.”

Joining Women in AI Ethics

As I became more enamored with responsible technology, I was drawn to groups that shared my values. Joining the board of Women in AI Ethics was a natural step in my journey. This organization, which promotes diversity and thinking about the societal impacts, aligned with my changing view on technology and its effects on society.

Women in AI Ethics Responsible Tech Ecosystem Summit

As we get ready for the first Women in AI Ethics Responsible Tech Ecosystem Summit in NYC, I’m hopeful. This summit is an important step towards change. The event will bring together different voices from the tech industry, universities, and government to talk about the challenges and opportunities in creating a fairer and more ethical digital future. I’m proud to be part of this effort to shape the future of technology in a way that respects human rights, promotes fairness, and puts the well-being of all people first.

The important work led by Mia Shah-Dand and Women in AI Ethics is just the start. It’s a call for everyone in the tech industry to understand the downstream impacts of their solutions and to produce technology that’s fair and creates better outcomes for business and society.

Learn more about the Women in AI Ethics.

The post From Data-Driven to Human-Centric: My Journey in AI Ethics and the Need for a New Mindset in AI Development appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

GreenCentre Canada’s Advance-ON Program: A Boost for Cleantech and Battery Startups

altaccelerator — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 20:17:10 +0000

by Mehr Sokhanda

For entrepreneurs in the cleantech and battery technology sectors, bridging the gap between promising ideas and market-ready products is a common challenge.

Startups in these fields may struggle with limited resources, lack of specialized equipment, and technical expertise. This can slow down product development and make it harder to attract investors or reach the market.

The recent announcement of $2 million in funding for GreenCentre Canada’s Advance-ON program marks a significant development for early-stage cleantech and battery companies in southern Ontario. GreenCentre Canada and this program’s mission is to ensure the sustainable growth of companies by transforming their chemistry and materials innovations into marketable products through its talented team and well-equipped lab facilities. By providing access to scientific expertise and facilities at reduced costs, the program can help startups accelerate their development process and increase their chances of success.

This investment, made through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), will fuel the continuation of the program for the next four years. For founders, understanding and taking advantage of such opportunities can be a game-changer, potentially saving years of development time and significant costs.

Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the FedDev Ontario, emphasized the importance of this investment: “Today’s investment into GreenCentre Canada symbolizes the Government of Canada’s dedication to supporting innovators and moving towards a more sustainable future. This project will help up to 40 SMEs expand and grow their businesses, all while fortifying Canada’s green economy for the future.” For founders, participating in the Advance-ON program not only aids their individual success but also positions them as key players in Canada’s transition to a greener economy.

Program Focus and Scope

The Advance-ON program is set to support 40 innovative Ontario businesses developing sustainable chemicals and advanced materials. This includes companies working on cleantech products for water treatment, food additives and ingredients, and packaging materials from renewable sources. Additionally, the program will back companies developing new battery technologies for use in electronic vehicles and energy storage. These areas of focus align well with current market demands and environmental concerns, making the program particularly relevant for founders operating in these spaces.

Tailored Support for Startups

One of the most appealing aspects of the program is its tailored approach to supporting startups. The successful applicants to this competitive program will receive a customized technical project delivered by GreenCentre’s team of scientists at a significantly reduced cost. This personalized support can speed up the journey from ideas to market-ready products, helping startups attract more investors and further create skilled jobs in these cutting-edge industries.

Andrew Pasternak, Executive Director of GreenCentre Canada, emphasizes: “The Advance-ON program will accelerate the commercialization of new products in southern Ontario, creating jobs and expanding export markets.”

The Bigger Picture: Canada's Cleantech Ambitions

This funding for the Advance-ON program is part of a broader push to position Canada as a leader in clean technology and sustainable innovation. The government’s support for programs like this reflects its commitment to meeting climate targets while also fostering economic growth. Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, highlighted: “By supporting GreenCentre Canada, the Government of Canada is supporting the transition towards a clean and sustainable economy. This investment empowers local entrepreneurs and promotes the inclusive engagement of all kinds of businesses in our economic environment.”

For founders, this creates a favorable environment. There’s increasing support for cleantech innovations, not just from government programs but also from private investors who see the potential in this sector. This trend is likely to continue, creating more opportunities for startups in this space, leading founders to consider how they can contribute to and benefit from this broader economic shift.

Long-Term Planning and Growth

The Advance-ON program’s duration of four years provides a stable platform for long-term planning and development. Founders should think strategically about how they can leverage this support not just for immediate gains, but for sustainable growth over time. This might involve planning a series of developmental milestones or considering how to use the program’s resources to attract additional private investment.

Preparing for Success and Challenges

While the program offers significant benefits, founders should also be prepared for the challenges that come with rapid growth and innovation. Scaling up operations, managing increased visibility, and navigating new regulatory landscapes are all potential hurdles that successful startups might face. It’s important to use the program’s resources and network to prepare for these challenges proactively.

Application Process

GreenCentre Canada carefully evaluates each application based on several key factors, including the strength of the proposal, how well it aligns with GreenCentre’s technical capabilities, the potential impact on the applicant’s business, and the company’s financial standing. Interested SMEs are required to provide certain information about their company, current financial status, specific technical needs, and projected economic outcomes. A company overview presentation is also a crucial part of the application. For full details on the application requirements, visit GreenCentre’s website.

Altitude Accelerator is committed to supporting cleantech founders through expert advisory services and specialized programming. Our organization offers valuable resources and guidance to help innovators in the clean technology sector thrive and grow. If you’re interested in learning more about how we support cleantech initiatives, please visit our website. To explore our specific programs in greater detail, we encourage you to check out the program page.

The post GreenCentre Canada’s Advance-ON Program: A Boost for Cleantech and Battery Startups appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

A Guide to NRC’s Clean Energy Programs: Unlocking Opportunities for Cleantech Innovation

altaccelerator — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:35:30 +0000

by Mehr Sokhanda

Early stage cleantech founders are often challenged in market-ready solutions because of the costs associated with testing and access to lab facilities. The National Research Council helps companies alleviate hurdles and supports companies to turn promising lab findings into practical, real-world solutions.

The National Research Council (NRC) helps early-stage founders through their Clean Energy Innovation Program. This program supports founders from the Proof-of-Concept stage to Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5). The NRC’s support allows testing in settings that closely match actual market conditions. This aid helps speed up the growth and sale of new clean energy tech. By focusing on this key step, the NRC boosts progress in this important field. By tapping into the NRC’s resources, founders could save time and money while increasing their chances of success. Understanding these opportunities is key to advancing one’s innovations and contributing to Canada’s clean energy future.

The National Research Council (NRC) of Canada is a leader in advancing technology that supports sustainable development. Their Clean Energy Innovation (CEI) program is designed to accelerate Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy by fostering clean energy development and industrial decarbonization. The program leverages scientific capabilities, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic partnerships to develop solutions in areas such as net-zero energy, critical minerals, advanced materials, and industrial decarbonization. With 226 researchers, engineers, and experts, the CEI program is well-equipped to drive significant advancements in clean energy technologies.

CEI Programs:

The Clean Energy Innovation program focuses on several key areas to address Canada’s clean energy transition.

Fuel switching

Electrification

Hydrogen

Carbon management

In the near term, the program aims to enable fuel switching by using negative-value waste streams for fuel production. This involves waste material characterization and waste-to-fuel conversion processes. The program explores both biochemical processes and thermochemical processes. These efforts aim to increase market opportunities for technology developers while reducing energy costs for end-users.

Next, the electrification component of the program covers a broad spectrum of technologies. It works on developing more electric aircraft and hybrid propulsion systems, advancing cleaner aviation. In battery technology, the program addresses areas such as battery energy storage technologies for stationary and motive applications, supports battery supply chains, conducts microgrid component testing and integration, and explores critical minerals recovery and processing. It also supports the development of low-cost electric motors, striving to make clean transportation more accessible.

Canada is regarded “as one of the top 10 global producers of hydrogen today and is well-placed to transition to clean-hydrogen production and become a major clean-hydrogen exporter.” The Government of Canada’s introduction of their hydrogen strategy in 2020 helped assert this position. The hydrogen pillar focuses on clean hydrogen production, distribution, storage, and utilization. It also focuses on system integration and utilization, providing crucial support for decision-making through lifecycle and techno-economic analyses.

Lastly, in the field of carbon management, the program works on CO2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, CO2 mineralization, and CO2 transportation and sensing. These efforts will significantly impact fuel production, carbon management, and hydrogen technologies.

Overall, these programs are structured to address both near-term and long-term goals, with projects ranging from low to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). This approach ensures that the CEI program can support innovations at various stages of development, from early-stage research to near-market solutions.

Mississauga Advanced Materials Facility

The NRC operates six research facilities across Canada: three in Ontario, two in Quebec, and one in British Columbia.

One of these facilities, the Mississauga Advanced Materials Facility, plays a key role in supporting cleantech innovation. The center serves as an innovation hub and catalyst for accelerating material discovery and development through cutting-edge technology and multifaceted collaborations.

The Mississauga facility houses Materials Acceleration Platforms, a high-performance computing and AI/ML studio, and a mechatronics lab. It also provides advanced materials testing, large-scale powder production, and the ability to shape and enhance materials. Design, simulation, and digital fabrication are also key components of the facility’s offerings.

The team at the Mississauga facility possesses a wide range of competencies. They excel in materials discovery, synthesis, and production, as well as functional materials and components design and manufacturing. The team is also skilled in integration, validation, and testing, along with mechatronics, design, and automation. Their expertise also extends to AI/ML and software development. These capabilities make the Mississauga Advanced Materials Facility a significant resource for clean tech startups. The facility can support entrepreneurs in various ways, starting with accelerated materials discovery. Using self-driving laboratories and AI-guided process optimization, startups can speed up their material development processes. The facility’s electrocatalysis research capabilities offer end-to-end development for materials related to hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and carbon capture.

For startups working on battery technologies, the facility’s research on Li-ion cathode materials and battery recycling can be invaluable. The powder synthesis and modification capabilities can support startups working on carbon management, electrification, and critical minerals. Additionally, the facility’s expertise in smart materials development, using advanced design and 3D printing techniques, can help startups create innovative materials for batteries, hydrogen and CO2 electrolyzers, and CO2 capture.

By leveraging these resources, clean tech startups can significantly accelerate their product development cycles and improve their chances of success in the market.

Supporting Clean Tech Startups

The Clean Energy Innovation program offers various avenues of support for startups and SMEs focused on developing clean energy technologies. This initiative, aligned with the NRC’s commitment to sustainability, offers a range of valuable resources. Firms gain access to their research facilities, benefit from the knowledge of industry experts, and have opportunities for collaboration. By tailoring its support to the unique needs of emerging companies in the clean energy sector, the CEI program aims to foster innovation and accelerate the development of sustainable energy solutions.

Qualification Criteria:

In order to qualify for access to these resources, startups need to demonstrate innovative clean energy solutions that are both technically sound and commercially viable, aligning with the NRC’s goals for decarbonization, and are often expected to collaborate with industry or research partners, enhancing their potential for success and broader impact.

The National Research Council’s Clean Energy Innovation program represents a significant opportunity for clean tech startups in Canada. By providing access to world-class research facilities, expertise, and collaborative networks, the CEI program is helping to accelerate the development and commercialization of clean technologies.

For startups looking to take their clean tech innovations to the next level, the CEI program offers a valuable pathway to access resources and support. The program’s focus on key areas such as carbon management, fuel switching, electrification, and hydrogen aligns well with the most pressing needs in the clean energy transition. For more information about the NRC Clean Energy Innovation Program, contact us.

At Altitude Accelerator, we share a deep commitment to fostering cleantech innovation. If you’re a clean tech founder or entrepreneur looking for additional resources and support, you can visit our page at https://altitudeaccelerator.ca/cleantech-at-altitude-accelerator/ to learn more about how we can assist you in your clean tech journey.

The post A Guide to NRC’s Clean Energy Programs: Unlocking Opportunities for Cleantech Innovation appeared first on Altitude Accelerator.

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A Guide to NRC’s Clean Energy Programs: Unlocking Opportunities for Cleantech Innovation

by Mehr Sokhanda

CEI Programs:

Supporting Clean Tech Startups

Qualification Criteria: