When it comes to MedTech innovation in Canada, Nima Khadem Mohtaram is driving change. As the Head of ventureLAB’s MedTech Initiative, Nima is on a mission to accelerate the commercialization of medical devices, bridging the gap between groundbreaking ideas and real-world impact.
From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Nima’s Journey into MedTech
Nima’s path into MedTech began in academia, where his passion for biomaterials and medical innovation took shape. After earning his PhD in biomaterials from the University of Victoria in 2014, he furthered his research at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, working at the Life Sciences Institute on medical polymers for blood applications.
Nima’s academic journey continued at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Biomedical Engineering Department before he transitioned into a faculty role at the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering. But his true calling lay beyond research—he wanted to bring MedTech innovations to life.
The Entrepreneurial Leap: Founding MedTech Startups
In 2016, Nima took the leap into entrepreneurship, launching his first company, CellFace, which developed cell imprinting technology using 3D-printed cell culture plates for tissue engineering applications. As part of ventureLAB and other accelerators in our ecosystem, he was mentored by Paul Rivett, who helped him on strategic business development. He then co-founded Trillium Meditec, a company specializing in polymer hydrogels for knee pain—now a Class III medical device. Nima has been contributing to the company for nearly seven years.
A Vision for MedTech at ventureLAB
Now at ventureLAB, Nima is leading the charge to build Canada’s first true innovation hub for medical devices. While many incubators focus broadly on life sciences, ventureLAB stands out by zeroing in on medical devices—hardware and software solutions that are revolutionizing healthcare. By leveraging private partnerships, government collaborations, and an expanding MedTech lab, Nima and his team are creating a commercialization pathway unlike any other in Canada.
His role is interdisciplinary, working with policymakers, engineers, scientists, and regulatory experts to turn MedTech concepts into market-ready products. His ultimate goal? To establish ventureLAB as the go-to one-stop shop for MedTech commercialization, providing entrepreneurs with not just advisory support but also the tangible resources—equipment, testing facilities, regulatory guidance—that are critical for success.
The Passion Behind the Mission
What fuels Nima’s drive? The tangible, life-changing impact of MedTech innovation. He has witnessed firsthand how medical devices and new treatments transform lives—from improving pain management to enabling a deaf child to hear for the first time. “Not all heroes wear capes,” he says. “The people behind these innovations don’t always get recognized, but their work changes lives.”
With a firm belief that Canada is rich in MedTech talent and ripe with opportunities to solve pressing healthcare challenges, Nima sees his role as a connector—bringing together the right resources, expertise, and partnerships to push medical device commercialization forward.
Beyond MedTech: A Commitment to Community
Outside of work, Nima’s passion for community is just as strong. A dedicated father to a nearly six-year-old daughter, he and his wife moved from Waterloo to Aurora in 2021. Since then, he has been actively involved in economic development and philanthropy.
He served on the Board of Directors at the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for nearly three years and, in 2025, was elected as Chairman of the Board for the Aurora Economic Development Corporation. In this volunteer role, he leads a board of senior directors who provide strategic recommendations to drive economic growth, attract businesses, and create job opportunities in the region.
Nima also gives back through philanthropy, serving as a member of the Philanthropy Cabinet at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. Here, he helps expand the hospital’s network of major donors to secure critical funding for healthcare advancements.
And when he’s not working or volunteering? You’ll likely find him on the tennis court, staying active and engaged in his local community.
Looking Ahead: The Future of MedTech at ventureLAB
Nima’s vision for ventureLAB is ambitious but clear: to establish Canada’s premier hub for MedTech commercialization. Just as ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative has positioned Canada as a leader in semiconductor innovation, Nima wants to create a similar ecosystem for medical devices.
The challenge? Canada lacks a true “one-stop shop” for MedTech commercialization—one that integrates funding, prototyping, testing, regulatory support, and industry partnerships. Nima is determined to change that. By building a robust advisory board with experts across sectors, strengthening strategic alliances, and expanding ventureLAB’s MedTech lab, he’s working to make this vision a reality.
MedTech innovation isn’t just about developing new devices—it’s about making a lasting impact on people’s lives. And with Nima leading the charge, ventureLAB is well on its way to transforming Canada into a global leader in medical device commercialization.
