ventureLAB is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated 6th cohort of the Hardware Catalyst Initiative. This competitive program is dedicated to accelerating the development of hardware and semiconductor-focused products and services, equipping Canadian hardware companies with the tools they need to grow, scale, and create the products of tomorrow.
The Hardware Catalyst Initiative is Canada’s only hardware and semiconductor-focused lab and incubator, and is the primary destination for hardware companies across the country. Offered to Canada-based startups at no costs and with no equity requirement, participating companies will be provided with direct resources to accelerate commercialization at scale through raising capital, retaining talent, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition.
The companies in Cohort 6 have gone through a competitive selection process, as well as the Hardware Catalyst Initiative bootcamp. This is a rigorous addition to the current selection process to ensure companies are set up for success in hardware, an industry that is notoriously difficult to succeed in with long lead times for both product validation and investment alike.
Now, let's take a look at the remarkable companies comprising the Cohort 6 of the Hardware Catalyst Initiative:
Visionary Semiconductor Inc.
VSemi leverages revolutionary Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology to provide cost-effective, affordable and reliable near-range LiDAR products that perform exceptionally in any lighting condition, from intense sunlight to absolute darkness. With a strong emphasis on customization, our solutions integrate advanced AI algorithms and sensor fusion technology tailored to meet diverse application needs, such as obstacle avoidance, gesture recognition, people counting and more.
Steadiwear Inc
Steadiwear Inc. provides a wearable stabilization device (glove) using tuned-damping to provide immediate hand tremor relief to people with Essential tremor or Parkinson's disease. Current treatment is medication that is effective in less than 50% of patients.
Quantuity Analytics Inc
Quantuity Analytics is developing an intelligent IoT sensor to measure the air chamber push-rod stroke length in commercial trucks, saving the driver from visual measurement under the vehicle. Their sensor exceeds regulatory requirements, increases vehicle and driver safety, prevents unplanned maintenance issues, and saves 30 minutes of a commercial vehicle pre-trip inspection.
OrbMedic Inc
OrbMedic Inc. Is developing a non-invasive biomarker sensor (smart patch), with Emotion AI and ambient intelligence technology, to monitor changes in emotional states with early detection of mental health symptoms. Initially, the data would be monitored and diagnosed by primary healthcare.
Nectar Software and Technology Inc
Nectar Software & Technology Inc. builds battery based mobile EV chargers and AI powered software to help fleets break through electrical capacity constraints and achieve optimal operational performance.
FuturU Global Health Inc
FuturU Global Health Inc. is developing a 3D body scanner for gyms and diet clinics to attract and motivate members. A 40-second 3D image scan, with AI features, provides precise body measurements and compositions, shows their future body based on current transition rate, and provides a 3D avatar for the member.
Flutter Care
Flutter Care develops non-invasive wearables to monitor fetal wellbeing throughout the day. Their technology supports expecting families, especially those with complex pregnancies, by detecting early signs of fetal distress and alerting them to impending adverse events. Sensors are integrated into maternity wear and monitored with a mobile app.
eye3concepts Inc
eye3concepts Inc. is about to launch a patent-pending AI enabled THC sensor to address the growing multi-billion dollar market for roadside and workplace drug screening. The sensor measures alcohol and THC in one saliva sample in under 1 minute, at THC below levels currently available, in a fraction of the time and cost.
Cheelcare Inc
Cheelcare Inc. is an established design and manufacturer of powered wheelchairs for special mobility needs, with 2 new products: a front-mounted power add-on for manual wheelchairs, and a robotic wheelchair that can elevate to reach shelves and lower to reach the floor.
Cence Power Inc
Cence Power Inc. designs and supplies an all-in-one, centralized DC power distribution for commercial LED lighting, and powering telecom (cellular) transmitters. Central distribution increases electrical efficiency, maintainability and reduces the weight of AC cables.
Cattle Scan
Cattle Scan supplies bolus (swallowed) sensors that transmit stomach data to provide farmers with accurate monitoring of both individual cow and herd health, and enabling precise water resource management and optimization of nutrition. Maintaining animal health is the main driver of productivity in the dairy sector.
AutoMetrics
AutoMetrics produces an in-process optical inspection solution. AutoMetrics to monitor the consistency and quality of metal welding, which currently relies on post-process inspection with high costs for rework. The solution features AI algorithms developed at AAI.
If your company is a Canadian-based startup that specializes in offering automotive and smart mobility hardware products, and you are looking for resources to help grow and scale your company, mark your calendar - Hardware Catalyst Initiative will officially start accepting applications for the 7th cohort on July 26.
Apply to the Hardware Catalyst Initiative and take your hardware company to the next level.
About Hardware Catalyst Initiative
ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is Canada’s only lab and incubator for founders building hardware and semiconductor-focused products, enabling the creation of transformative technologies that will power our products of tomorrow. Funded in part by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Hardware Catalyst helps tech companies accelerate their time to market in a sector that normally incurs lengthy entry and scale times, enabling Canadian hardware and semiconductor companies to grow and scale locally, and compete globally.
About ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 5,000 jobs and raise more than $340 million in investment capital. At ventureLAB, we grow globally competitive tech titans that build-to-scale in Canada, for global markets.
