Robots that clean your house, AI that designs the next big innovation, and cars that make split-second decisions—this is the future, and semiconductors are at its core. At this year’s Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX) Conference, ventureLAB and the City of Markham showcased how Canada is pushing the boundaries of chip innovation to power AI, automation, and next-generation computing.
ventureLAB’s CEO, Hugh Chow, led a panel discussion titled The Next Big Wave: How Semiconductor Innovation is Shaping Every Industry, featuring Mark Wood, CEO of Microart Services; Niraj Mathur, Co-Founder of Blumind Inc.; and Brandon Zhao, Partner at Two Small Fish Ventures. The conversation highlighted how Markham-based companies are driving semiconductor advancements that will define the next era of technology.
“We have a great success story in Canada when it comes to hard tech and semiconductor innovation,” said Hugh Chow, emphasizing the country’s expanding role in global chip development and advanced manufacturing.
The discussion highlighted how Markham-based companies are leading in semiconductor advancements, particularly as AI moves beyond data centers into edge devices, sensors, and robotics. The rise of physical AI, embedding intelligence directly into hardware is opening new opportunities for startups and revolutionizing industries worldwide.
“All AI, all machine learning, whether it’s an app on your phone, a tool in a data center, or a robot in a factory runs on semiconductor chips,” explained Niraj Mathur. “Entrepreneurs are our national treasures, taking big risks to drive innovation and create an outsized impact, not just for themselves, but for the ecosystem and the country at large.”
Brandon Zhao highlighted AI’s expanding role, particularly in creative industries and engineering tools. “We see AI transforming content creation, but also how engineering tools evolve,” he said. He also noted the shift toward open AI research: “AI is moving away from centralized, proprietary models to an open ecosystem, allowing more companies to innovate and scale.”
Mark Wood shared how AI is disrupting manufacturing, “we’re seeing smaller manufacturers and processor companies like Microchip, which traditionally supplied basic processors for cars now embedding AI directly into their technologies.” Wood added, “this enables real-time decision-making without relying on the cloud, ensuring faster, more efficient responses in critical applications.”
The discussion at CIX reinforced Canada’s vital role in shaping semiconductor advancements. With Markham emerging as a hub for chip innovation, ventureLAB and the City of Markham’s presence at CIX strengthened the region’s position as a global tech leader.
As semiconductor technology continues to power AI, automation, and beyond, ventureLAB remains committed to fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and supporting the next generation of tech entrepreneurs. The next big wave in semiconductors isn’t coming, it’s already here, and Canada is at the forefront.
