The second day of the ventureLAB HardTech Summit 2024 was nothing short of extraordinary, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the startup ecosystem for an evening filled with exciting pitches, keynotes and networking opportunities.
The night kicked off with opening remarks from ventureLAB CEO Hugh Chow and Minister Victor Fedelli, highlighting the critical role that Canada plays in driving technological innovation across the country, with a focus on the semiconductor sector. Their remarks highlighted the significance of Canada's startup ecosystem, top-tier talent, and world-class institutions in advancing Canada's role in the global tech industry.
Followed by a keynote session from Mark Miller, CEO of Volaris Group, who shared his entrepreneurial journey. Since joining ventureLAB as a member of the board in 2020, Mark has significantly grown and impacted our ecosystem, proving that continuous growth and diverse talent are key to success in the tech industry.
The main event of the evening was the HardTech Pitch Competition, where 8 finalists took the stage to pitch their groundbreaking technologies. Cattle Scan, a startup dedicated to identifying cows with illness early, took home the $30,000 Tech Bridge award, while Kimia Analytics, a company manufacturing ICP Mass Spectrometers for wide range applications, earned the $20,000 Sterling award - showcasing the incredible innovations from our tech ecosystem.
A major highlight of the evening was a special address by Mayor of Markham Frank Scarpitti, who took the main stage to speak about Markham’s growing influence in the global semiconductor industry - as Markham’s strategic positioning within this network positions the city as a key player in the future of technology and innovation.
Following Mayor Scarpitti’s speech, MP Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Thornhill, took the stage to share her perspective on the importance of collaboration and innovation for Canada’s future, reminding everyone that when we work together, the country as a whole can achieve remarkable success. The gala was joined by Councillor Amanda Collucci, and Regional Councillor Alan Ho, demonstrating their support for creating an ecosystem where tech startups can grow and succeed.
A standout moment of the evening was the announcement of a new MOU between ventureLAB and Hudson Valley FastFab (HVFF), a disruptive semiconductor manufacturing company dedicated to pioneering advanced solutions in the semiconductor sector. The MOU, signed by ventureLAB CEO Hugh Chow and Dick Thurston, CEO of HVFF, marks a significant step forward in advancing semiconductors across the border, opening new doors for collaboration and innovation.
We hope to see you at the HardTech summit next year!
