DiscoveryLab at NAIT Dow Theatre
Our next event on May 7 is partnered with NAIT. Eighteen teams will pitch to an open audience of about 100 investors, business advisors, industry experts and those looking to support innovators.
You are welcome to free tickets to this DiscoveryLab pitch event as we promote accessibility, collaboration and sharing of advice.
Our event in being held in conjunction with Advancing Healthcare through Simulation: A Provincial Summit in the NAIT Feltham Centre. Register for the live event here. All 19 pitches are viewable from the Dow Theatre or your desk by zoom.
The focus for the hybrid pitch slots in the afternoon is on biomedical imaging, health AI and robotics. In the morning companies focused on topics including biotech, cleantech and foodtech are presenting in 10 minute zoom slots.
Program for DiscoveryLab@NAIT meeting on May 7, 2025
Session 1 chaired by Stephen Urquhart, Manager, IRDC
Anuj Guruacharya, Principal Scientist, Nanil Health, developing an AI-powered drug discovery platform to optimize RNA therapeutics, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease.
Khaled Barakat, CEO, Thoth Biosimulations. developing AI-MedCraft, an AI-driven platform that for discovery and optimization of small drug molecules.
Session 2 chaired Maddie Renouf, Senior Business Partner, Health Innovation Talent, Alberta Innovates
Amir Ghahari, CEO & co-founder, Joyhall, building brands while importing and marketing premium spirits, wine, RTD and servicing wholesale retail, hospitality and events.
Anil Sedha, Founder, PRACSNS, developing an in-body renal detoxification system that replaces dialysate, pumps, and
vascular-access surgery.
Session 3 chaired by Jyoti Tailor, Senior Business Partner, Health Platforms, Alberta Innovates
Rebecca Ung, Founder/CEO, Kumu Corporation, shaping the single-use plastic landscape of tomorrow by transforming food, plant materials, and minerals into plastic alternatives.
Kim Solez, Founder, Just Machines Inc. will present How AI Can Save Humanity from Itself and Soon! A Multilayered Approach.
Session 4 chaired by Manan Upadhyaya, BSc Student, University of Alberta
Mary Ani-Amponsah, Maternal-Newborn Researcher, University of Alberta, will present R-Thermal TDB – a Renewable Energy Newborn Thermal Transport Duo Wrap and Blanket.
Nasim Maslehat, Co-founder, Business Developer, Color Your Motherhood, offering a subscription-based online platform for personalized art therapy before, during, and after pregnancy.
Session 5 chaired by David Chang, Director, Innovation & Partnerships, University of Alberta
Opening by Riya Ganguly, Associate Dean, JR Shaw School of Business, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Aaron Purchase, CEO & Co-founder, MagnetaMR, designing a lightweight whole-body MRI system for broad accessibility for human and veterinary healthcare markets.
Andrew Karesa, CEO, blueBell Village, restoring the personhood and independence of those living with dementia with blueBell Connect, an intuitive platform that connects caregivers in real time.
Session 6 chaired by Christine Reimer, Consultant
Dawn Osland, Founder, Osland Medical Billing Tools Inc, developing tools including the CMGP Calculator and Track My Time to help physicians track and bill for time spent on patient care.
Sagittal Dynamics, developing a minimally invasive implanted cranial expander brace that advances the jaw to expand the airway, reducing surgical costs and times.
Session 7 chaired by Nicola McFarlane, Sr. Business Innovation Lead, Acute Care Alberta
Shameem Sampath, Founder and CEO, AIrehab, developing smart wearables including Slider for users with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
Vani Ikkurti, R&D Scientist, The BioSport, developing BioSport APP, which combines AI/ML, genomic sequencing, VO2 max & microbiome testing for athletes & fitness enthusiasts.
Session 9 chaired by Thach Lang, Government of Alberta
Wessam Hamid, Founder, Polymorph, an early stage robotics company aiming to redefine the future of labor by developing adaptable, AI-powered, general-purpose humanoid robots.
Marc Curial, Founder & CEO, MACH32 Inc, an Edmonton-based company developing medical devices including IMSAFE, a high volume autoinjector that rapidly delivers therapeutics intramuscularly.
Ryan Mabley, Head of Finance & Business Development, CraftXR Technologies Inc, revolutionizes healthcare training through AI-powered extended reality simulations that address sector needs.
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 remote course for professionals, entrepreneurs, and inventors at NAIT (Apr, May or Jun)
ERIN AGM at Edmonton Unlimited on Apr 30
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
Pathway to Silicon Valley for female founders looking for investment, Jun 3-4
DiscoveryLab is planning an event at the ICE Incubator at UofA on June 10 (tbc)
Global Energy Show Canada at the BMO Centre, Calgary from Jun 10-12
MedTech/HealthTech Pitch Competition by CAMS@NAIT at KDays Innovation on July 21
Elevate Women+ Entrepreneur Incubator deadline Jul 23
ERINnovation Meetup MedTech/HealthTech Pitch Competition presented by CAMS@NAIT as part of Life Sciences Week on Sep 24
Funding
DiscoveryLab does not recommend advisors or investors, make investments or provide funding, but we can make introductions. Each person and company has the responsibility of obtaining legal advice and performing due diligence before signing contracts or taking investments.n-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