��ݮ��Ƶ News - Global Futures

Adaptis helps building owners and operators meet their profitability and sustainability goals

Sam Charles — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:14:23 +0000

The real estate decision-making tool raises $4 million USD in seed funding to accelerate innovation in housing and property development

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech are revolutionizing how building developers and owners design, build and maintain their properties thanks to Adaptis, a Velocity startup. The decision-making platform supports optimizing cost-benefit and carbon usage from concept to completion by integrating financial, sustainability and operational data.

In its latest seed funding round, Adaptis has secured $4 million USD ($5.5 million CDN) from Building Ventures, including MetaProp, 2048 Ventures, Powerhouse Ventures and Blue Vision Capital.

“Through each seed investment stage, Adaptis has been able to build upon our momentum through upgrading our platform and scaling across different geographies,” says Sheida Shahi (PhD ‘21), CEO of Adaptis. “We’re continuing to build out our product and sales teams to best position us for our next phase of growth.”

The platform spearheaded by Shahi and co-founder Aida Mollaei (PhD ‘24) empowers owners, architects and engineers to lower building costs, generate more design options, reduce project timelines and optimize on-going operational costs.

Originally envisioned to support one building at a time, customers encouraged Adaptis to offer the same support for multiple buildings.

“It has been an exciting journey so far, and what we’ve discovered along the way is that our original concept still resonates,” Shahi says. “Customers still want what we first brought to market, so now we are looking at ways to make it even better.”

Adaptis could play an important role in addressing the ongoing housing crisis facing communities across Canada and the United States. By integrating hundreds of compliance parameters into a single AI-driven platform, including those related to building permits and assessments, the platform can shorten timelines to weeks from months and help developers break ground faster.

Shahi and Mollaei originally developed Adaptis as graduate students at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. They intended to build a platform that automated the circularity of buildings during their whole lifecycle. To turn their sustainable technology into a viable business, they needed to make it economically beneficial for the client.

“Linking profitability and sustainability is not just a strategic advantage in the construction and real estate development sector — it’s becoming a requirement for long-term success,” Shahi says. “Especially amid rising regulatory pressure, consumer demand for greener buildings and escalating construction costs, our platform provides decision-makers with vital real-time information they need right at their fingertips.”

As a data-driven platform, Adaptis provides in-depth actionable, retrofit and decarbonization strategies that seamlessly integrate into capital planning workflows.

Adaptis has seen their revenue double since 2023, expanding into eight regions including British Columbia, Washington State and New York. The platform has more than 350 buildings in active operation, with another 400 more set to onboard next quarter.

Just as impressively, the platform has diverted more than 6,000 tons of waste and avoided 108,000 Co2 emissions while saving building owners an average of 20 per cent in capital expenditures.

With Ontario targeting to build 1.5 million homes by 2031, and many other jurisdictions across North America with similar targets, tools like Adaptis have the potential to streamline building processes and support expediting homebuilding to meet those demands.

“When we look to the future, we are excited about the work ahead in coordinating the science, technology and scalable infrastructure required to continue supporting our customers to succeed.”

Technological Futures

Connecting ��ݮ��Ƶ’s best students with Canada’s best companies

Sam Charles — Thu, 08 May 2025 01:09:34 +0000

True North Fund partners with ��ݮ��Ƶ to develop a Canadian talent pipeline to help strengthen the country’s top 100 tech firms

Chris Albinson, co-founder and managing partner of Canadian venture capital fund True North Fund and co-founder of C100, says Canada is at a critical juncture in its continuing evolution as a global innovator. He says the country and its tech leaders need to work harder to retain the best and the brightest.

“We really need to build the narrative of 'Canada or bust!' The time for 'Cali or bust' that we hear from students has come to a close,” says ��ݮ��Ƶ-based Albinson. “For the first time we have a critical mass of global leaders based in Canada. We need to connect them to our best students. Considering the geopolitical environment we’re in, now is the time.”

Prompted by conversations at last spring’s convocation with University President and Vice-Chancellor Vivek Goel and Faculty of Engineering Dean Mary Wells, Albinson says they started exploring more ways to connect ��ݮ��Ƶ’s best students with Canada’s top private companies. That work has culminated in a partnership between True North and the University.

“As much as we’re proud to see our students thriving around the world, we also have a responsibility to show them they can build ambitious, meaningful careers right here in Canada,” Wells says. “Partnerships like this one with True North connect our students to top-tier co-op opportunities and help them see the possibilities that exist at home. I want them to see themselves not just working in Canada but also helping to build it for the future.”

Team True North is modelled after Canada’s “Own the Podium” Olympic strategy which focuses on providing resources to athletes with the highest potential for success. By merging True North’s roster of tech companies with ��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-op network, it creates a pipeline for growth and innovation in Canada.

Using an objective global standard data, True North identifies the top performing tech companies in Canada. The True North branding will provide students with the knowledge and confidence that they will have a meaningful and fulfilling co-op or full time experience at a global leader, right here in Canada.

At the bottom of each job description for these companies, it will read: “This company is part of Team True North, a comprehensive group of Canadian tech firms with performance and growth rates that match the top 1 per cent of companies worldwide.”

Some students might be surprised to learn that companies such as Arctic Wolf, Clearpath Robotics, 1Password, eSentire, Miovision Technologies and Faire are not only based in Canada but local to the ��ݮ��Ƶ region.

From the beginning, the world’s top high-tech companies have come to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ to recruit its students. They are frequently drawn to ��ݮ��Ƶ by its track-record of developing leaders and innovators across sectors. For students, especially those seeking co-op experience, they are keen to join these large companies for the prestige and bragging rights.

The University has more than 8,000 employer partners across more than 70 countries including major tech companies such as Microsoft and Google. Despite data that shows every dollar invested by a business in a ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op student creates a greater economic gain, small and medium-sized companies may worry there might not be a critical mass of co-op applicants to draw talent from.

“We’ve heard that all high performing Canadian firms know about ��ݮ��Ƶ, but aren’t sure there are opportunities for them to recruit the University’s top students when competing against the world’s biggest companies,” Albinson says. “The same is true on the other side of the equation, that many students simply don’t realize the global leading opportunities right here in Canada, and we want to change that.”

Of Canada’s top 100 highest performing private companies, two-third are already working with ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students. Albinson wants to close the gap with the remaining third of companies who he believes are missing an opportunity. “If we want these companies to compete globally, we need to connect them to ��ݮ��Ƶ’s talent pipeline, and vice versa, we need ��ݮ��Ƶ’s students to know and seek out these global Canadian companies.”

Companies like Faire, an online wholesale marketplace for retailers and brands, are already benefiting from its relationship with the University. With offices in San Francisco, Salt Lake City and ��ݮ��Ƶ, it employs more than 200 staff, many with University of ��ݮ��Ƶ connections.

“Our region is fortunate to be the epicentre of innovation in Canada,” Albinson says. “Our new partnership with the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ will help connect Canada’s best students with Canada’s best companies.”

Co-op and Experiential Education

Entrepreneurship

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Technological Futures

Expanding co-op options to benefit all

Elizabeth Rogers — Wed, 07 May 2025 19:58:00 +0000

Co-op for Social Good helps both students and community organizations thrive

If you’re a student with an eye on a career in the not-for profit sector, co-op job searches can sometimes feel a little challenging. A food bank, museum or community services centre might not have funds to hire a co-op student. At the same time, they could really use the extra energy and fresh ideas that a ��ݮ��Ƶ Arts student brings — and so many Arts students are driven by a passion to do good work. How to bring them together?

That’s where the Co-op for Social Good fund comes in. Donations big and small help support co-op positions in organizations with a mandate to benefit society. This way, donors to the fund double the benefit: not-for-profit organizations can hire co-op students to help them do great work for their cause, and Arts students get hands-on experience in the career of their dreams.

Help from an alum who’s been there

Raquel Paredes (Honours Arts and Business) was in her final co-op term search when she came across a listing from STEPS Public Art. It’s a Toronto-based charity and social enterprise that facilitates public art projects across Canada. “In my past co-op searches, I have wished more opportunities were in the Arts field,” she says. “So when I saw the posting to work at STEPS, I thought it would be amazing to use my marketing and communications skills for a public art organization.”

There was a ��ݮ��Ƶ connection on the other side of that posting, as well. Grace Lai is STEPS’s communications manager and a Global Business and Digital Arts graduate (2016). “I know how meaningful co-op experiences are for academic growth and career development,” she says. ��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-op team reached out to let Lai know about the grant last January, inviting STEPS to apply.

Building a not-for-profit skill set

With just nine employees working on projects nationwide, STEPS is small but mighty—and it’s hopping in the summer season. Among other things, STEPS connects artists with developers to decorate construction hoardings, assists cities developing cultural plans and programs, and helps BIAs build all kinds of community art projects, from murals to light installations to one very artistic mini-putt course. “I was never aware of the massive community that existed for public art!” says Raquel. As Communications Assistant, Raquel pitched in with social media and email marketing campaigns, digital storytelling, and other promotional activities throughout the summer. Grace praises her strong writing and creativity.

Work that feeds the community and the heart

Raquel says she learned how important it is to really love your work at a not-for-profit. “You have to be passionate about what you are doing because that shows through all you do,” she says, “whether it be interacting with followers on social media or hosting events for local communities.” One of her favourite parts of the job involved hearing directly from the artists themselves, as a contributor to the artist newsletter. “I could see the impact the organization was making on these artists. It is extremely fulfilling to know that your efforts are being put towards something meaningful, something that brings others and communities joy and support.”

From STEPS’s perspective, there’s meaning in helping the next generation of arts grads: “Having a co-op student is great because not only is the co-op student contributing to the organization through their day-to-day tasks and projects,” Grace adds, “it also feels rewarding to be able to provide a valuable learning experience for the student.”

That good feeling makes all the difference for co-op students who find work that feeds their passion for a cause. Raquel is particularly appreciative of the donors who make the Co-op for Social Good possible. “I’ve searched for a co-op position like this one since my very first co-op job search back in 2021,” she says. “I am very grateful that these opportunities are being given to Arts students so that they can gain job experience while being in a sector they love and giving back to communities.”

Banner image: Comm(uniti) in Bloom (2024) by Fuelled by Coffee Collective (Photo Credit: Stories at the Table)

On May 15, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ will launch our first Giving Day. This event encourages you to support the ��ݮ��Ƶ initiatives you care most about — like helping young people achieve their educational dreams — and connect with other donors to increase the impact of your gift. Join us on Giving Day and help ��ݮ��Ƶ build a better tomorrow.

Oh, the places you’ll go!

Elizabeth Rogers — Wed, 07 May 2025 19:29:13 +0000

For Arts grad students, professional development means travel - and the Connect 4 Success fund can help

At the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, academic research crosses boundaries – disciplinary, but also international. For Psychology PhD candidate Jasmine Zhang’s research with the FamilyPsycle Lab on digital media effects on the well-being of children, caregivers, and families, she collaborates with scholars at the Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming at the University of Gibraltar.

So when Jasmine’s advisor emailed her about a summer school opportunity at the University of Gibraltar last year, she jumped at it – not only for the education, but also for the chance to finally meet her teammates.

There was just the little matter of the plane ticket: “Traveling to Europe is not a cheap process, especially with the conversion rates!” Jasmine points out.

The cost of planes, trains and automobiles

Opportunities – and expenses – like this are the reason ��ݮ��Ƶ Arts established the Connect 4 Success fund. For almost all graduate students, travel is essential to academic success: presenting papers, building professional networks, and conducting original research so often means hopping on a plane or a train. The Connect 4 Success Fund helps grad students bridge the financial gap at a point in their careers when a ticket to ride can be both critical to their progress and an out-of-reach expense.

For Jasmine, the University of Gibraltar’s Publishing in Addiction Science PhD Summer School, a five-day program to learn best practices in preparing papers for publication in the field, brought a wealth of enrichment: new skills and information, experience with world-renowned researchers, and a chance to network face-to-face with her peers. When she and her teammates finally had the chance to meet in person, new research ideas started brewing. “We’re hoping to put a few papers together,” she says.

Back at ��ݮ��Ƶ, Jasmine’s been sharing the knowledge she gathered abroad: “I’ve been able to pass down some of that information to undergrads I supervise: guidelines to follow, what editors expect to see, what to look out for when selecting a journal, those kinds of things.” With one year left plus residency to complete her PhD in clinical psychology, she’s looking ahead to professional life: “I’m hoping for a position that balances research and clinical work – so I can keep doing research, but keep working with children and caregivers and families.”

Jasmine wants donors to know they make all the difference to students like her. “These sorts of experiences are extremely enriching. The support makes such an impact. Being able to go to these kinds of workshops and conferences – it’s such a unique way to develop professionally that we aren’t necessarily going to get elsewhere. Every penny helps and it’s all being used for good work that will benefit society more broadly.”

Planting the seeds for innovation and curiosity

Sam Charles — Tue, 06 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

More than 100,000 children and youth from across the region are discovering the wonders of science and technology through the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ

Ask a 10-year-old in ��ݮ��Ƶ region about the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and they may tell you about the time they played with Nao or Talos, the humanoid robots housed in ��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering’s RoboHub.

Every week, elementary school-aged students from across the region, visit campus as part of the Kids on Campus and "Mentor" lab programs to learn about a variety of topics including AI and technology literacy. Their visits can include stops at the RoboHub, Institute for Quantum Computing, Crash Labs (MME) and WatiMake Lab. Not only do these programs become a foundation for the students’ future success, but they play a role in maintaining the region’s strengths in developing talent and technology.

In the past five years, Engineering Outreach has offered more than 3,000 programs and reached nearly 100,000 youth.

“Our region benefits from having one of Canada’s most innovative universities here in our backyard,” says Sophie Nasato, senior manager Engineering Outreach. “There is nothing like seeing the spark that ignites in the eyes of so many of the young people who visit our campus when they program a robot or learn how technology impacts their world.”

The impact of the University goes far beyond the sharing of knowledge, innovative research or launching of start-ups. Through outreach programs led by each of its faculties, ��ݮ��Ƶ engages and motivates children and youth in its community to be curious and explore. From STEM programs to the arts and sports, the University seeks to inspire its broader community.

There are many factors that draw students and researchers to ��ݮ��Ƶ. Its reputation for being cutting-edge and its co-op program are two of the biggest, but its connection to community is another.

Fourth-year Mathematical Physics (co-op) and Astrophysics minor student, Lauren Brown first experienced ��ݮ��Ƶ outreach as an eight-year-old attending ESQ summer camp. “Outreach played a major role in my decision to ultimately attend ��ݮ��Ƶ,” she says. “While I enjoyed my schooling, I strongly benefited from learning about topics outside of the standard curriculum, surrounded by like-minded individuals.”

Brown attended ESQ summer camps and Go Eng Girl programming for five years. She says she also benefited from Engineering Outreach classroom workshops. “It was a full-circle moment when I started attending schools in the region to teach students about the same topics I had been interested in back then. I decided to work with Outreach because I wanted to give back to the community that helped me grow into the learner I am today.”

��ݮ��Ƶ was established in the 1950s with the goal of helping tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges. Today, ��ݮ��Ƶ continues to share with the world innovative solutions to global challenges while working in collaboration locally to ensure they are addressed in its own surrounding communities.

These challenges include preparing a workforce that is agile and ready for whatever tomorrow brings. That work doesn’t simply begin when first-year students step onto campus. For many youth in the ��ݮ��Ƶ region, it starts in elementary school with a trip to campus, a classroom workshop with ��ݮ��Ƶ students, or by attending a summer camp.

“I still remember seeing my fingerprint for the first time and participating in energy and water filtration activities in grades four or five when ��ݮ��Ƶ scientists visited my class,” says Tasbiha Saif Ansari, a third-year student in the Science and Business program at ��ݮ��Ƶ. Today, Ansari volunteers with the outreach team at the Faculty of Science.

Often in collaboration with community partners and schools, ��ݮ��Ƶ provides outreach programming that includes camps, the Earth Science Museum, clubs, workshops, conferences and community events. This programming is designed for all youth, with an emphasis on those historically under-represented in STEM and under-served populations.

Simone Sankhe is finishing up her first year as a Math and Business major — a joint program between ��ݮ��Ƶ and Wilfrid Laurier. “Attending ESQ at a young age made STEM feel exciting and accessible, and it definitely helped spark the passion that led me to where I am today.”

Not only did Sankhe participate in ESQ camps and Leader in Training programming at ��ݮ��Ƶ, but she was a high school leader in 2023/24, and part-time outreach instructor for the past two years. “It's honestly incredibly rewarding. I love working with Engineering Outreach because we're able to work with so many kids from different backgrounds and it's always so impressive to see how much they already know, and how their interest in STEM is growing."

Helping young Canadians discover STEM

“We’re trying to give every young person in our area, whether they are 7 or 17, the chance to immerse themselves in science and technology,” says Nasato. “The interest and demand from the community continues to grow, and we are grateful to our many donors and partners for supporting the expansion of these offerings.”

The programs are supported by ��ݮ��Ƶ and many generous individual donors and organizations. As lead sponsors, Actua and Let’s Talk Science play an important role in expanding many of the programs to ensure under-served populations have an opportunity to participate. Actua provides funding for many of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s engineering outreach programs while Let’s Talk Science supports science outreach.

While most engineering programs are funded by sponsors and donors, both Faculties largely rely on volunteers, co-op students and staff. Between the Let’s Talk Science program, campus lab days and the Earth Science Museum, the Faculty of Science annually connects with close to 10,000 students ranging from grades 1 to 12.

The campus lab workshops, that take place in April and May, draw grade 11 and 12 classes from across the region and as far as Toronto and Windsor.

“All of our programming is about removing barriers, and letting young people explore and discover,” says Heather Neufeld, manager Science Outreach. “Our overall goal is to help feed people’s curiosity and sense of wonder when it comes to science and learning.”

It is often a full-circle moment for outreach staff and volunteers when they work with young students. “I love when students ask ‘big’ questions because these often lead to fruitful discussions and provide an opportunity for students to ask scientific questions outside of the typical school structure, and without the added pressure of grades,” Brown says. “When students think critically and are interested enough in the material to ask scientific questions, it reminds me of my own experiences at that age, and it is amazing to be a part of that experience for them.”

Everyone involved from participants to instructors benefits from outreach according to Neufeld. “Not only are we inspiring young minds to explore and discover STEM topics, but outreach is also a great opportunity for our student volunteers to connect with the public, share their passion, and explain complicated topics in a way we can all understand.”

Inspired by its long-standing connections with the community, the University continues to foster these connections with the goal of having a positive impact locally and globally. Outreach plays a lasting role in encouraging young and old to be curious and explore what’s possible.

Here is a selection of University of ��ݮ��Ƶ outreach programming:

ESQ Summer Camps led by the Faculty of Engineering with support from the Faculty of Science includes a variety of hands-on activities that explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and feature STEM mentors and tours of exciting spaces on ��ݮ��Ƶ’s campus. Campers will experiment with new technology, develop valuable skills, and connect with friends. Camps are offered in four grade ranges: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9. Find out more about other programs hosted by Engineering Outreach.

You can keep up with the variety of opportunities offered by Science Outreach by signing up for their mailing list. Public lectures, community events and opportunities for both students and schools are shared monthly.

The Student Art Innovation Lab is a mobile Faculty of Arts outreach program that hosts workshops and exhibitions.

Ecology Lab at the Faculty of Environment provides enrichment programs and workshops that include both field and lab activities designed for the students.

The Faculty of Mathematics offers a variety of outreach and enrichment programs to promote mathematics and computer science.

The Faculty of Health has been opening its doors for more than 50 years to host Kinesiology Lab Days. The program introduces high school students to kinesiology — the science of human movement.

��ݮ��Ƶ’s Athletics and Recreation department offers summer youth camps where campers can explore new skills, try out exciting activities and grow into confident Warriors.

Technological Futures

Velocity Up Start powers the next generation of business leaders

Sam Charles — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Combining its expertise in research with a leading entrepreneurial ecosystem, ��ݮ��Ƶ is leading Canada’s innovation economy

When an idea takes flight, it can soar — especially when it is supercharged. The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ has long been known as one of Canada’s most innovative universities and ranks number one amongst Canadian universities for producing the most successful entrepreneurs with undergraduate degrees. In large part that stems from its exceptional students and researchers that actively uncover solutions to challenges facing humanity and the planet. Their startup aspirations are supported by a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem and one of the most progressive IP policies in the country.

Unlike many Canadian universities, ��ݮ��Ƶ’s IP policy provides complete ownership to its inventors. That support doesn’t stop there. When an idea takes hold at ��ݮ��Ƶ, tools and resources are readily at hand to navigate the entrepreneurial process. Supports like Velocity’s Up Start program are designed to propel startups into impactful commercial ventures.

“��ݮ��Ƶ is a great place for anyone who has even an inkling for entrepreneurship,” says Seun Adejunti (MBET ’24), the founder of MedInclude and a 2024 Up Start recipient. “��ݮ��Ƶ, Velocity and the larger ecosystem elevates that thinking and the kind of supports and calibre of people you interact and work alongside.”

Since 2008 Velocity has helped the founders of more than 400 startups grow to a collective enterprise value of $35 billion, create thousands of jobs, and impact lives around the world.

A great idea needs to be nurtured

Startups flourish in an environment that champions collaboration and mentorship. Up Start is a program jointly managed between Velocity and ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Commercialization Office (WatCO), created to support ��ݮ��Ƶ student researchers, founders and recent alumni in turning their technology into a product and emerging startup.

Startups like MedInclude, a platform that simplifies communication between practitioners and patients. “The financial support from Up Start was helpful for adding talent, but it was the mentorship that made the biggest difference,” Adetunji explains. “It was like having executive talent on your team without paying executive fees.”

Those mentors supported Adetunji in developing a pricing strategy and projections to take her platform to market.

Velocity and the ��ݮ��Ƶ entrepreneurship ecosystem works with founders, like Adetunji, to build extraordinary companies that scale and last. It thrives through breaking down barriers, fostering mentorship, developing networks and building a strong community that help entrepreneurs navigate the process of commercialization. Velocity startups turned international businesses such as Vena Medical and Vidyard have maintained their operations locally and have successfully expanded their business across Canada and globally.

“At WatCO, our focus is on helping researchers protect their intellectual property and determine the best path forward — whether that’s licensing to an existing company or launching a new startup,” says Scott Inwood, director of commercialization at WatCO.

MedInclude is currently being piloted at Grand River Hospital (now part of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Regional Health Network) within its Renal Program. The collaboration is another important step for the platform as it continues to commercialize.

According to Adetunji, every step of the process has educated the next. “There are so many great learnings that we are taking from each phase, and it is broadening our understanding and perspectives as we continue the process.”

For hundreds of startup founders at ��ݮ��Ƶ, Up Start is the wind that supercharges their ideas into successful commercial ventures. Companies like GreaseTech have recently entered the market while other like Pragmatica, Quip Medical, Strivonix (LimberLabs), PatientCompanion, Voltra Energy, and Doro continue to find success in the market.

“Through the ��ݮ��Ƶ Ventures partnership, we’re able to connect research teams with Velocity’s renowned support for founders to accelerate their path to the market,” Inwood says.

Up Start recipients, like Adetunji, say the support they receive extends beyond the period of the award, and continues to positively impact their success months and years down the road.

Meet the 2024 recipients of Up Start funding

ArcticEdge Technologies - Next-generation moisture barrier protection for firefighters

ARC Insights - Sophisticated data collection and analysis framework supporting numerous sectors across industry and medicine

TensorOne Inc. - Autonomous drone technology that utilizes acoustic sensors for increased accuracy and effectiveness

Evolv Biotech - Wastewater purification system designed for heavy industrial tailings ponds

NewGen Health - Medical technology tool supporting health-care practitioners to stay up –to date with the latest medication guidelines

Sanad Labs - Patient-first logistics tool supporting health-care facilities to automate mobility assistance for post-operative patients

Mobilitek - Power-assist and autonomous solution for health-care mobility equipment

Doro - Mental health tool that provides accessible, immediate and tailored support

Innowind - Vortex generator that augments turbine performance under extreme loads

Quatomed - Pharmaceutical and biotech assistive solution, provides data-driven feedback to complex research environments

Hormone Harmony - Real-time hormone monitoring and personalized guidance solution empowering users to manage their symptoms

AgrUS - Ultrasound technology that analyzes the grade quality of agricultural livestock before processing

Technological Futures

Turning saltwater into solar power

Darren Mc Almont — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:15:00 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ alum Keith Cleland is changing the way industrial and commercial properties store energy sustainably with his startup's saltwater batteries

��ݮ��Ƶ researchers, students and alumni are leading innovations to solve the climate crisis by developing sustainable technologies today for the future, and Keith Cleland (MASc ’22) is no exception.

His passion for environmental sustainability and expertise in electrochemistry converged to launch Aqua-Cell Energy Inc. — a startup dedicated to designing affordable and safe energy storage solutions for commercial and industrial solar power.

Keith Cleland (MASc '22)
Alum, Faculty of Engineering
> Co-Founder, Aqua-Cell Energy

During his undergraduate studies, Cleland embarked on research to develop a battery that utilized saltwater for energy storage, which laid the foundation for his future endeavours.

In 2019, he joined the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ as a master’s student under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Gostick in the Department of Chemical Engineering. It was while working in Gostick's Porous Materials Engineering and Analysis Lab that Cleland developed a prototype battery capable of storing solar energy and generating electricity.

Cleland and his co-founder Ellsworth Bell (MASc ’21) have one clear vision: contribute to cleaning the world by transitioning away from fossil fuels.

This vision secured the buy-in from Velocity — the centre for entrepreneurship at the University — where the company was nurtured through Venture Ready and won several pitch competitions.

As electricity demand increases due to the electrification of cars and future-focused technologies, Cleland explains that mass amounts of energy storage will be needed to support grid infrastructure for a stable, clean energy supply.

“With current options for energy storage like lithium batteries being too expensive for long-duration storage, Aqua-Cell Energy is everything lithium is not,” he says. “Our flow battery pumps saltwater through a battery stack where electricity is applied to store energy in the saltwater.”

He shares that when this process is run in reverse, it generates usable electricity.

“Our technology is the world’s most environmentally friendly battery storage option … and using low-cost saltwater as the electrolyte allows for affordable long duration energy storage of upwards of 12 hours.”

Designed to be the size of shipping containers, the company's saltwater batteries offer a cost-effective alternative to power industrial and commercial properties, addressing the critical issue of energy storage in the renewable energy industry.

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Aqua-Cell Energy has a long-standing partnership with the Northen Alberta Institute of Technology that helps to scale up their pilot projects.

The company also recently secured $500,000 in grant funding from Alberta Innovates, the Ministry of Technology and Innovation and the Government of Alberta that will support building a battery that the company will deploy later this year for another pilot project with a utility company in the province.

As for what’s next, Cleland shares that as interest in the company’s saltwater batteries grow, funding to help scale the design and build is important. He hopes that after a few successful pilots — including the one currently being worked on — utility and other industrial companies will see the value in a more environmentally friendly, future-focused option that will allow the company to develop its batteries on a larger scale.

Technological Futures

A bold prediction on tariffs

Charlotte Danby — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:12:58 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ professor says Canada may yet thrive in Donald Trump’s world trade war

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched an unprecedented tariff war against more than 180 countries – what I call “World War Trade” (WWT). I argue that from a competitive dynamics perspective, it’s a strategy that has some merit – for Canada.

Competitive dynamics is a rich field of research that examines how firms engage in competitive actions, and how those actions shape rivals’ responses and overall performance. It provides a robust, evidence-based lens with significant explanatory and predictive power for understanding competitive interactions.

The research shows that firms that initiate aggressive moves often secure a decisive advantage, particularly when competitors hesitate or fail to respond promptly. For instance, airlines launching price wars typically outperform those that remain passive. Another key insight is that the likelihood of competitors retaliating depends heavily on critical factors, such as the relative power between the aggressor and the targeted firms, the extent of multilateral competition among targeted rivals and the degree of familiarity between the aggressor and its targets.

Applying competitive dynamics logic to global trade, it allows some bold predictions to be made about the trajectory of WWT: Mr. Trump’s tactics will work, to an extent, as most countries will likely not retaliate. But China’s determined retaliation might cleverly turn threats into strategic advantages, undermining the intended impact of WWT. And as the U.S. and China deepen their rivalry, significant opportunities are emerging for Canada to claim its economic sovereignty.

The global reorder

The U.S. is imposing different tariffs on different countries, creating an uneven playing field – and uneven advantages – for some over others. Consider an analogy from the airline industry: instead of lowering ticket prices across the board, the U.S. selectively cuts fares for certain airlines but not others, forcing them all into a fierce price war. That’s precisely what’s happening now. With varied tariffs in place, exporters aren’t simply contending with U.S. duties – they’re competing fiercely against each other for access to the world’s largest and most coveted consumer market.

Indeed, initial reactions from top exporters to the U.S. – including Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, India and the U.K. – haven’t been retaliatory. Instead, they’ve chosen to negotiate directly with Washington, clearly underscoring the strength of America’s bargaining position.

Second, the structure of global value chains significantly reinforces U.S. leverage, as most countries depend far more on the U.S. market than vice versa. Major exporters are deeply embedded in American supply chains, with business models specifically tailored to serve U.S. consumers. Such dependency isn’t undone overnight. When you depend heavily on a giant, you don’t throw stones, you renegotiate.

Dr. Victor Cui, professor at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ's Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.

In short, Mr. Trump has transformed a traditional bilateral trade conflict into a multilateral competition, which, as competitive dynamics research suggests, positions the U.S. to exploit the rivalry among its trade partners. Think of this not just as a WWT, but as Survivor: Global Export Edition.

China, of course, is in a category of its own. As primary strategic rivals, the U.S. and China share a deeper mutual interdependence than any other bilateral relationship. This intense interdependence grants China significant leverage to retaliate effectively.

The repeated tit-for-tat exchanges that defined the U.S.-China trade war beginning in 2018 have locked both nations into a cycle of ongoing strategic engagement. In competitive dynamics research, this is known as the Red Queen effect, where each side must continually match or surpass the other’s moves simply to hold its position.

But China’s retaliation isn’t just about responding in kind; it can strategically position China to gain a competitive advantage in global trade. By specifically imposing higher tariffs on all American goods, China indirectly grants exporters from other countries a relative advantage in accessing its market – the world’s second-largest consumer base. As these countries face increasingly tough barriers to the U.S., China’s strategy could make them more inclined to strengthen trade ties with Beijing over Washington. In doing so, China not only reinforces its role in global value chains but also helps sustain an economic order that many countries have long depended on and are reluctant to see fundamentally changed.

The Canadian power play

Closer to home, Canada’s retaliation against the U.S. has been smart, grounded in our deep understanding of American vulnerabilities. But such measures can only serve as a short-term tactic. With 20 per cent of our GDP tied to U.S. exports, what we truly need now is a bold, long-term national strategy to claim our economic sovereignty, one that shields us from the whims of any single trading partner.

The competitive dynamics research suggests that ultimate success in competition lies in a firm’s unique and irreplaceable competitive advantages. Our economic sovereignty must be built on such strengths – resilient, diversified and future-ready. In today’s global arena, sustainable competitiveness is no longer defined by who controls the most oil or lumber. Instead, it hinges on who leads in talent and breakthrough technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, energy storage and advanced robotics.

Canada now faces an unprecedented chance to build our strengths as the two superpowers reshape the global economic order, unlocking prospects that could work in our favour. For instance, as rising geopolitical tensions create barriers to the free flow of top talent, we can reform our immigration policies to position Canada as the most attractive destination for the world’s brightest minds.

Similarly, as political forces increasingly hamper investment into these countries, we can revolutionize our investment strategies by channelling capital into scaling Canadian ventures, reversing the talent drain to Silicon Valley and transforming Canada into a global magnet for innovation and a launch pad for world-changing ideas. Moreover, we must leverage the rivalry between superpowers by diversifying our trade partnerships and reducing our reliance on any single market. Measures like these could anchor Canada at the top of global value chains.

Mr. Trump may very well win WWT – or at least declare victory – not because his strategy is fair or elegant, but because it leverages America’s dominant position and the world’s structural dependencies. Canada must take this pivotal opportunity to reshape its own positioning and long-term strategy, by shifting lines, changing its approach and taking control of the play. We did it on the ice; now let’s seize the moment and claim our economic sovereignty.

Dr. Victor Cui is a professor of entrepreneurship, innovation and global strategy and the Conrad Research Excellence Chair at the Faculty of Engineering’s Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business. This opinion piece recently appeared in the Globe and Mail.

Watch How Canada can survive Trump's world trade war, Dr. Victor Cui's interview on BNN Bloomberg, to find out more.

Feature photo credit: Shutterstock

Engineering

Global Futures

Economic Futures

Transforming vaccine production for faster outbreak control

Charlotte Danby — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:01:59 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ researcher helps develop technology to boost on-site vaccine production for better health care delivery

A University of ��ݮ��Ƶ professor is part of an international coalition revolutionizing vaccine production with new health-care technology. The tech aims to support local vaccine production, cutting  the vaccine production time from nine days to just one day, and save millions of lives and dollars as a result.  

Dr. Valerie Ward, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, is working with researchers and industry partners in Brazil, the UK and Canada to make small transportable units that can manufacture vaccines on-site, giving healthcare professionals and authorities the means to respond to local outbreaks as quickly as possible.  

Many countries lack the infrastructure to produce vaccines locally and do not have access to the necessary equipment, such as ultra-low temperature freezers to store some kinds of vaccines. Only 50 per cent of people in low-income countries are adequately vaccinated, underscoring the need for swift and equitable responses to future epidemics and pandemics.  

The research coalition is led by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and received $2.8 million from the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI).  The grant focuses on developing technology to meet two specific goals. The first is the rapid production of vaccines. The second is to decentralize manufacturing so it can be produced at different sites in smaller batches. The CEPI-CPI partnership backs the 100 Days Mission, a G7 and G20 initiative aimed at cutting vaccine development timelines in response to pandemics. 

 Game-changing tech 

At the heart of this initiative is MANGO (Manufacturing on the Go), a device developed by Dr. Keith Pardee at the University of Toronto, that promises to automate the process of Viral-Like Particle (VLP) manufacturing for vaccine production.  

VLPs are proteins that are so similar to viruses that the immune system responds to them as if they are a virus — making them an important component in many vaccines. The problem is that the current process to manufacture VLPs is slow as it requires living cells. The MANGO device speeds up VLP manufacturing by using a technique called cell-free expression which does not rely on living cells, reducing the process from days to hours.

Dr. Valerie Ward, a professor of chemical engineering and Canada Research Chair in Microalgae Biomanufacturing.

“VLPs are one of the new technologies for vaccines," Ward says. "They have all the virus proteins and structures, so the body sees it as a real virus, but it doesn't contain genetic parts of the virus, so it’s very safe for infants, children and adults."

Cell-free or not, there are compounds that need to be removed during the VLP manufacturing process to ensure purity. Ward, a Canada Research Chair in Microalgae Biomanufacturing, will play a critical role in ensuring the purity of vaccines created by the MANGO device. Her research focuses on programming the device to autonomously purify vaccines, reducing production costs significantly.

Flip the script, change the outcome 

The coalition’s on-site vaccine manufacturing solution means that authorized users can load the required materials, such as DNA, for a specific vaccine into the MANGO device and it will create and purify a VLP-based vaccine on the spot. When people are ill, time is of the essence — this is a faster, more affordable and more effective approach to requesting and waiting for a vaccine delivery.

“We’re developing a technology that works better as a small-scale device for purification. We’re flipping the script —usually, with vaccines, you scale production up, not down. Here, we are doing the opposite to make life-saving vaccines more accessible,” Ward says.  

The non-profit coalition for academic innovation includes partners from Imperial College London, the University of Leeds, University of Toronto, Liberum Biotech, University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.  

Feature photo credit: Shutterstock

Technological Futures

Made by ��ݮ��Ƶ

Angelica Sanchez — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:03:10 +0000

Discover how ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni are driving Canada’s economy with five tech companies making a local and global impact

Many of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems share a common feature: a world-class research university at their core. The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ has played a pivotal role in establishing the ��ݮ��Ƶ region as a premier innovation ecosystem in Canada.

You have probably heard of game-changing success stories like Blackberry, OpenText and Desire to Learn (D2L). But did you know that more than 562 ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni have raised venture capital in the last decade? It’s why Pitchbook ranks ��ݮ��Ƶ as the top Canadian school for entrepreneurs — where groundbreaking ideas become a reality.

��ݮ��Ƶ region has become celebrated as Canada’s tech capital with some of the country’s fastest-growing companies planting their roots in the city. Here are five companies founded by ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni — whose offices may even be in your neighbourhood — that are making waves locally and globally.

Alchemy

Alchemy's ExoShield windshield protection film being applied to an automotive vehicle.

What began as a fourth-year capstone project for ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni Chong Shen (BASc ’13) and Khanjan Desai (BASc ’13) to keep windshields frost-free has blossomed into a remarkable success story for Alchemy. ��ݮ��Ƶ supported Alchemy’s journey, providing initial funding through the Velocity incubator and access to on-campus lab space. As Alchemy began to take off, Shen and Desai received additional funding from the University. They successfully applied to the renowned Y Combinator business accelerator in California, while maintaining their offices in Kitchener.

Today, Alchemy develops cutting-edge nanotechnology products for the automotive and defense industries. Their ExoShield windshield protection film offers abrasion-resistant and frost prevention coatings, providing a best-in-class windshield-protection solution with 500 active installers across 57 countries. Their nanocomposite coating provides next-generation multi-spectral camouflage for defense purposes. Over the past two years, Alchemy has partnered with the Canadian Armed Forces to develop this technology for uniforms and shields. In 2025, Alchemy received $1.8 million in funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to grow and scale their business.

Avidbots

��ݮ��Ƶ alumni, Pablo Molina (BASc ’11) and Faizan Sheikh (BASc ’11), are revolutionizing the cleaning industry with Avidbots — the world’s smartest autonomous floor scrubbing robots. Their flagship product, NEO, is equipped with advanced mapping and navigation capabilities, allowing the robots to clean large areas autonomously. The company’s vision is to make robots more widespread in the cleaning industry, unlocking human potential and improving cleanliness standards locally and globally.

��ݮ��Ƶ alumni, Pablo Molina (BASc ’11) and Faizan Sheikh (BASc ’11) with Avidbots' flagship product, NEO, the world’s smartest autonomous floor scrubbing robots.

In 2014, Avidbots joined Velocity as an early-stage startup to develop their product and maintained their relationship with the incubator over the years. Despite their global success, Molina and Sheikh decided to stay close to the University by keeping their headquarters in Kitchener to access the startup ecosystem, and the region’s research and engineering talent.

Avidbots’ partnership with ��ݮ��Ƶ RoboHub leverages the expertise of researchers and students to enhance the company’s robotics technology. Since 2018, the company has continued to hire co-op students and full-time employees, many of whom are ��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering graduates.

In 2020, Avidbots partnered with DHL to deploy NEO in commercial spaces such as airports, warehouses and shopping malls. Avidbots was recognized among Deloitte’s 2020 Technology Fast 50, and 2021 Technology Fast 500. In 2023, the Narwhal Project included Avidbots as part of the Narwhal List of Canadian technology companies that received more than $10 million of capital and are on their way to unicorn status. With customers in over a dozen countries across five continents, Avidbots has global offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Colombia.

Axonify

Co-founder and CEO of Axonify, Carol Leaman (BA’89, MAcc ’89, DLitt ’22) is a trailblazer in the software sector, specializing in personalized learning solutions for frontline employees. Axonify provides businesses with employee training software that uses brain science and AI for microlearning and daily reinforcement, catering to various industries.

Axonify's software on a mobile device. Axonify provides businesses with a personalized learning solution for frontline employees.(Photo credit: Axonify).

Axonify hires ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students in various roles and many students have returned to the company upon graduation as full-time employees, enabling Axonify to streamline their recruitment process and build a talented workforce. In 2022, Leaman received an honorary doctorate from ��ݮ��Ƶ for her impact as an entrepreneur and thought leader in the region.

In 2021, Axonify celebrated a milestone by increasing its workforce by 15 per cent across North America and Europe, with a focus on Eastern Canada. Currently, 780 full-time employees work at Axonify, which is headquartered in ��ݮ��Ƶ. Axonify’s software is used by more than 250 companies, including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank.

GeoMate

GeoMate, co-founded by Dr. Nastaran Saberi (PhD ’19) and Dr. Amin Gharebaghi, is at the forefront of innovating urban planning and autonomous driving mapping solutions with artificial intelligence (AI). GeoMate’s technology enables precise and cost-effective mapping of mid-sized cities in just four weeks, all without any fieldwork. Their innovation provides high precision and regular updates, tailored for urban planners and leaders in autonomous driving.

GeoMate's technology captures high resolution geospatial imagery (Photo credit: GeoMate).

In 2019, Geomate joined the Grebel Peace Incubator at ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Conrad Grebel University College. Through the incubator, GeoMate completed pilot projects in Stratford and Kitchener, working with local political leaders to help them improve their accessibility. In 2020, Saberi presented GeoMate at the Velocity Fund Pitch Competition. GeoMate was selected as part of the ten finalists and joined the incubator.

More recently, GeoMate secured funding from FedDev Ontario to develop an advanced simulation platform for autonomous driving across 10 major cities in Ontario, further fueling their mission to transform urban landscapes. GeoMate’s headquarters are in the Communitech building in downtown Kitchener, where they employ ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students and alumni as employees.

Miovision

Founded by Kurtis McBride (BASc ’04, MASc ’07), Miovision addresses traffic problems by collecting multimodal traffic data and uncovering actionable insights, helping municipalities optimize their road networks and improve traffic flow. Miovision’s technology enhances overall mobility, reduces vehicle congestion and user delays on city roadways, resulting in better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

Miovision Scout, the first portable solution that collects multimodal traffic data and video at the roadside.

McBride came up with the idea for Miovision while on a co-op work placement at a transportation consultancy. Since 2005, Miovision’s systems have assisted nearly 2,000 customers in 63 countries, including five major cities in Canada. Miovision was recognized among Deloitte’s 2024 Technology Fast 50 list and received the Canadian Innovation award from the Canadian Innovation Exchange. Currently, Miovision employs 400 employees including ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students.

These five companies exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset fostered by ��ݮ��Ƶ. However, they are only a small reflection of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s broader impact on nurturing talent and providing support to entrepreneurs at each stage of their journey.

Co-op and Experiential Education

Technological Futures