DiscoveryLab at Dow Theatre, NAIT
Our next events are being held at the Dow Theatre at NAIT on May 7 and at the ICE Incubator at UofA on June 10. Each event will feature 10-20 presentations given to an audience of about 100 investors, business advisors, industry experts and those looking to support innovators.
The focus for the hybrid pitches in the afternoon is on biomedical imaging and digital health companies as well as aligned AI or quantum technologies. In the morning high growth companies focused on agriculture, biotech, cleantech, energy, edtech, fintech, food, legal and travel technologies and advanced materials are also welcome to present virtually.
We invite entrepreneurs and companies to pitch virtually or in person to investors, business experts and industry experts. This event in being held in conjunction with Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit in the NAIT Feltham Centre, Edmonton.
Presenters on May 7 include:
Aaron Purchase, CEO & Co-founder, MagnetaMR; MRI Development Officer, M Tech Research Canada Ltd. Postdoc, MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging; Instructor, NAIT; PhD, UofA.
Amir Ghahari, CEO & co-founder, Joyhall, importing and marketing premium spirits, wine, RTD. Previously Commercial Planner BC and Yukon, Diageo; Private Equity Analyst. MBA, Athabasca University.
Andrew Karesa, CEO, blueBell Village, restoring the personhood and independence of those living with dementia. Previously Adjunct Professor, King's U; Business Instructor, NAIT & Norquest. MBA, UofA
Anuj Guruacharya, Principal Scientist, Nanil Health, developing AI/ML-based algorithms for the design and optimization of mRNAs and proteins.
David Ducasses, COO, Kaleidoscope XR, developing virtual reality/ augmented reality solutions for healthcare, workforce training, and education applications.
Dawn Osland, Founder, Osland Medical Billing Tools Inc., CMGP Calculator & Track My Time. Previously Quality Improvement at UofA & Edmonton North PCN; NAIT, Business.
Dawei Zhang, Professor, University of Alberta, developing targets and treatments for the prevention of heart disease.
Mary Ani-Amponsah, Maternal-Newborn Researcher, University of Alberta. Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
Omar Lalani, Manager, Sagittal Dynamics. Founder Right To Grow, an advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring every child grows with a healthy airway. M.Eng, McMaster U.
Parinaz Hosseini, designing jewelry through the world of painting and 3D modeling. 3rd place in World Academy Design Award. Bachelor's degree, Iran's University of Art.
Patrick Kirkwood, CEO, The BioSport, an AI-powered fitness & Wellness Solution company that combines AI, Machine learning, genomic sequencing, VO2 max & microbiome testing for professional/amateur Athletes & fitness enthusiasts.
Ryan Mabley, Head of Finance & Business Development, CraftXR Technologies Inc.; AB Investment Trainee, Front Row Ventures; Craft; VP Strategy, Tech Start UCalgary.
Shameem Sampath, Founder and CEO, Airehab, developing smart wearables for users with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions
Wessam Hamid, Founder, Polymorph. James Dyson Foundation Innovation Award. Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, University of Alberta.
Presenters on June 10 include:
Rebecca Ung, Founder/CEO, Kumu Corporation, shaping the single-use plastic landscape of tomorrow by transforming food, plant materials, and minerals into plastic alternatives
See the world differently. Tell your story.
DiscoveryLab offers events where teams pitch plans to a panel of investors and advisors, and keynote talks are offered on a theme. Scalable innovations in any sector, location or stage of development are presented as are transformative technologies for diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics, biotech, agtech, AI, cleantech, edtech, food/drinks, materials, energy, environment and resources.
We welcome new members including investors, industry experts and business advisors to join in to advise the diversity of teams presenting.
Presenters receive constructive feedback on the business plan summary and slidedeck they submit beforehand, a video recording of their pitch, an evaluation and scores, new connections and leads for funding.
Note: Teams that are pitching are invited to submit their business plan summary at least two weeks before the event to qualify for a slot and gain feedback to strengthen their pitch.
Presenters can also check out our Presenter Guide.
Events & Opportunities
Intellectual Property and Patents 14 hr remote course for professionals, entrepreneurs, and inventors led by Bennett Jones at NAIT (Apr, May or Jun)
Smart Sustainable Technology Showcase (virtual) on Apr 15
Methane Leadership Summit 2025 in Banff on Apr 15-16
Energy Talks: Understanding Methane Emissions: Insights from Satellite Data and AI with Juliana Leung at EPL on Apr 16
Navigating Trade Barriers: The Potential Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Oil and Gas and the Future of Canada’s Economy in Calgary on Apr 17
Canadian Hydrogen Convention @ Edmonton Convention Centre from Apr 22-24
ATB Edmonton Entrepreneur Talks: Featuring Ivan Touko, who studied environmental sciences at UofA, on Apr 29
ERIN AGM at Edmonton Unlimited on Apr 30
Women's Leadership (Un)Conference with Connection Silicon Valley on May 2
High Level Innovation Conference in Lethbridge from May 2–3
Community Safety & Wellness Accelerator Demo Day at Edmonton Unlimited on May 5 (4-7pm)
Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit at NAIT on May 7
Designing for Tomorrow Live Conference in Edmonton from May 7-9
Upper Bound AI Conference in Edmonton from May 20-23
Inventures at the BMO Centre in Calgary from May 21-23
AI4Good Lab on building machine learning projects from May 5-Jun 26
Canadian Women in Medicine Conference in Calgary from May 30-June 1
DiscoveryLab at the UofA ICE Engineering Incubator on June 10
Pathway to Silicon Valley for female founders looking for investment, Jun 3-4
Global Energy Show Canada at the BMO Centre, Calgary from Jun 10-12
Med Tech / Health Tech Pitch Competition presented by CAMS@NAIT at at KDays Innovation, Health & Inclusivity Day on July 21
Elevate Women+ Entrepreneur Incubator deadline Jul 23
AgSmart at Olds College on Jul 28-31
ERINnovation Meetup MedTech/HealthTech Pitch Competition presented by CAMS@NAIT as part of Life Sciences Week on Sep 24
Our aims are to play a positive role by:
1. provide an open forum for entrepreneurs and innovators to pitch for free and connect with investors, business advisors and industry experts,
2. building trust and mutual understanding to ensure sustainable and rewarding multi-party relationships,
3. identifying major challenges that require innovative thinking,
4. mapping out precompetitive spaces for open-source collaboration,
5. developing fair and reasonable intellectual property strategies for progression and scalable funding,
6. structuring and optimizing core activities and facilities for supporting innovation, and
7. increasing data quality, reproducibility and decisiveness while eliminating unnecessary duplication and costs.
We welcome collaborators and partners who are interested in working together to support the innovation ecosystem.
For clarity, DiscoveryLab does not recommend advisors or investors, make investments or provide funding, but can make introductions. Each person and company has the responsibility of obtaining legal advice and performing due diligence before signing contracts or taking investments.
Funding Programs
Edmonton Edge Fund with $5 million for local tech and innovation is launching this year.
Post-Secondary Institution Business Development Support for students, faculty and staff at Edmonton’s post-secondary institutions: Executives in Residence access and up to 150 hours of free advice.
Alberta Export Expansion Program is resuming funding for the development of export markets for Alberta’s SMEs through the reimbursement of international business travel costs.
Alberta’s Hydrogen Centre of Excellence is making $20 million available over 24 months to support hydrogen production, storage, transmission, end-use projects under its Advancing Hydrogen - Competition 1 program.
Business Development Support (BDS) program open call for students, staff and alumni of Edmonton-based postsecondaries wanting to connect to industry specific expertise they need. Apply here.
BDC has launched of Thrive Venture Fund and Lab for Women, a $500-million investment platform to support the growth and economic impact of Canadian women-led businesses.
Canadian Digital Adoption Program from the Government of Canada is offering startups and SMEs grants to grow their online presence and upgrade and adopt digital technologies.
Capital City Pilots for Edmonton-based startups to test pilot-ready IP. using $10,000 in expert support, exclusive access to municipal clients, and resources.
Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ELITE) Program for Black Youth age 15-22.
SRIA Innovation Fund to accelerate the adoption of innovative low-carbon solutions for buildings of all types
Local innovation supports:
- Alberta Accelerator by 500
- Alberta Catalyzer (Pre-Accelerator)
- Alberta Innovates Revenue Accelerator
- Growth Catalyst
- Innovation Catalyst Grant Entrepreneurial Fellowship
- Lab2Market
- Plug and Play Alberta
- Propel, Startup Edmonton pre-accelerator
- TELUS Community Safety and Wellness Accelerato
- THRIVE Canada Accelerator for food/ag
- Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) Alberta