Ventures

The following ventures have participated in and developed through our e@UBCO programming.

CURRENT COHORT

Linkbase technologies inc.

Shiven Vinod Khera, Brandon Caiza

Linkbase is an IoT solutions company that builds software for multiple industries that require SaaS solutions for the mass deployment of smart devices.


VANTECH MEDICAL

Vanessa Lo, Rohith Krishnamurthy, Krishna Ranjani

VanTech Medical is a research and development startup aimed at designing and developing cost-effective and innovative medical devices. The first device, M.R VEIN, aims to solve the problem of difficult intravenous access in healthcare settings. M.R VEIN is a wearable 3D vein finder which uses the power of IR imaging and machine learning to accurately map underlying vasculature. This device can help the Canadian healthcare system improve patient care and outcomes, reduce costs and unnecessary medical supply waste, and improve patient experiences by introducing a sustainable solution to difficult intravenous access.


BROKOL APP

Priscilla Uribe, Esteban Perez, Lakshay Karnwal, Ammaar Khan

For young moms and families who want to optimize their consumption of groceries, Brokol will provide a mobile app that helps users manage, track, and use their groceries in the most efficient way, with the aim to reduce food waste and generate positive environmental and financial impacts.


Technotes.org

Braden MacDonald, Joel Krupa

Creating a shared knowledge base requires a ton of effort. It’s hard to get started and even harder to maintain. Neolace has built a new knowledge platform that makes it easier to author and discover information; automatically updates articles with new data, and visualizes knowledge using the company’s graph database.


Impact Toolbox

Segun Fatudimu

Impact Toolbox is an AI-powered digital social venture incubator that empowers equity-deserving leaders to transform their ideas and passion for social change into viable businesses & community development projects through training, coaching, tools and growth resources. It also provides customized training content, resources, guides and programs for incubators, accelerators, coaches and other social enterprise training providers.


Resilient Infrastructure management

Edison Li, Ziad Abdelsamad

Resilient Infrastructure Management provides data and technology-driven (digital twin with AI, construction management digitization, robotic construction and blockchain) services and products for municipality and industrial partners to better utilize existing resources to combat climate change, incorporate resilient climate design in new buildings and upgrades, increase the efficiency of energy usage, and reduce operational and maintenance costs.


Sparehands

Manjot Singh

SpareHands is a company that connects university/college students to house owners or other adults who may need help doing odd jobs around the house on short-term contractual jobs. These odd jobs include but are not limited to, watering plants while the family is away, feeding the pets while their owners travel, shovelling snow during the winter, helping move things in the house or from one house to another, and many more. 


Flextrack

Agamjot Aneja, Isaac Joseph, Aman Singh

FlexTrack’s fitness tech is revolutionizing the way athletes and consumers undergoing physiotherapy approach their workouts. By tracking multiple in-depth biometrics and form during exercises, FlexTrack’s technology provides haptic feedback to help correct issues and improve performance. This information is all able to be sent to physiotherapists, which are then able to provide more targeted and effective treatment.


tongo

Isabel Gomez, Maria Camila Herrera, Ana Maria Restrepo

Tongo is a method that empowers the teacher to explore, create and manage creative learning sessions. Tongo connects theoretical/practical knowledge and soft skills, whilst facilitating the instructional design process to create meaningful learning. 


Safecity solutions

Hisham Khan, Edwin Firmansyah, Carlos Lopez

SafeCity Solutions’ SaaS-based video analytics solution helps short-term rentals and small businesses save time and make informed decisions using advanced algorithms that analyze video footage. The team is dedicated to supporting and maintaining the software, which is hosted and accessible online. SafeCity offers flexible pricing and comprehensive documentation and training to help small businesses get the most out of the service.


RentalHunt

Samir Aliyev, Isabella Bravo, Murad Shahmammadli, Lee Chi Fan

RentalHunt is an easy-to-use and powerful answer to the existing shortfalls present in the marketplaces for the rental market, by integrating Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain data storage system to provide a superior platform for both landlords and tenants to streamline their rental process as a whole. The App can automatically apply on your behalf, or future tenants can apply as a group with friends. Features also include the ability to send notices to landlords, and request cleaning and maintenance with the click of a button.


sxʷʔul steam collective

Kalli Van Stone

sxʷʔul steam collective brings Syilx ideas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math to life. As a team, experts in Syilx knowledge and STEAM disciplines will work to conduct community-centred research, education, outreach, consultancy, and capacity building.


Shophopper Marketplace inc.

Ryan Lancaster

ShopHopper is a new local boutique shopping app that makes it as easy to shop locally as it is to shop on Amazon while creating a turn-key lead-gen solution for local retailers. Easily browse all of the best local fashion retailers, or let ShopHopper’s Ai personalized shopping system automatically find you the latest deals and trends on perfectly fitting outfits based on your style and size preferences, making it easier than ever to find and fall in love with outfits while still supporting local.

PREVIOUS COHORTS

Linkbase technologies inc.

Shiven Vinod Khera, Brandon Caiza

Linkbase is an IoT solutions company that builds software for multiple industries that require SaaS solutions for the mass deployment of smart devices.


VANTECH MEDICAL

Vanessa Lo, Rohith Krishnamurthy, Krishna Ranjani

VanTech Medical is a research and development startup aimed at designing and developing cost-effective and innovative medical devices. The first device, M.R VEIN, aims to solve the problem of difficult intravenous access in healthcare settings. M.R VEIN is a wearable 3D vein finder which uses the power of IR imaging and machine learning to accurately map underlying vasculature. This device can help the Canadian healthcare system improve patient care and outcomes, reduce costs and unnecessary medical supply waste, and improve patient experiences by introducing a sustainable solution to difficult intravenous access.


BROKOL APP

Priscilla Uribe, Esteban Perez, Lakshay Karnwal

For young moms and families who want to optimize their consumption of groceries, Brokol will provide a mobile app that helps users manage, track, and use their groceries in the most efficient way, with the aim to reduce food waste and generate positive environmental and financial impacts.


NEOLACE

Braden MacDonald, Joel Krupa

Creating a shared knowledge base requires a ton of effort. It’s hard to get started and even harder to maintain. Neolace has built a new knowledge platform that makes it easier to author and discover information; automatically updates articles with new data, and visualizes knowledge using the company’s graph database.


Safety in Purity (SIP)

Elana Wood, Yosamin Esanullah, Yamen Shehab

The SIP Project partners with outdoor adventure organizations and humanitarian organizations to produce mobile filtration systems for emergency first-response and disaster relief. They are the winners of the 2021 Western Canadian AquaHacking Challenge. They are also the recipients of funding from UBC’s Inaugural Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Impact Fund, which helps student-led start-ups solve real-world problems.


EAZY INVEST

Yerdana Maulenbay, Anirudh Anil

Eazy Invest helps the Gen Z community to invest and manage their finances in a sustainable manner. This is done by studying purchasing patterns and providing a personalized investing plan.


ELIXIR

Manjot Singh

Elixir connects house owners who need help doing chores around the house (shovelling snow, house sitting, watering plants, etc.) to students who want short-term, part-time work to make a little extra money.


efeelture

Kai Zhang, Junchi Bin

Efeelture is a company that has designed and built AI solutions for the shipping and logistics industry. Efeelture is applying AI techniques on satellite data to provide services such as vessel tracking and destination prediction.


tongo

Isabel Gomez, Maria Camila Herrera, Ana Maria Restrepo

Tongo is a method that empowers the teacher to explore, create and manage creative learning sessions. Tongo connects theoretical/practical knowledge and soft skills, whilst facilitating the instructional design process.


Above sensing ltd.

Vadim Stolvardov, Santiago Botero

ASL is a Kootenay-based geospatial analytics and drone data acquisition company that specializes in providing services to support a wide range of geospatially-focused projects. ASL leverages technology and the team’s expertise to support clients in conservation, agriculture, and natural resource management.

Linkbase technologies inc.

Shiven Vinod Khera (UBCO Management, 5th year), Brandon Caiza (UBCO Computer Science, 5th year), Gursagar Singh (UBCO Management, 4th year)

Linkbase is an end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) enabling platform solution which provides robust cloud infrastructure, protocol integration, and firmware development capabilities to small and medium-sized enterprises looking to develop IoT products. Linkbase also develops industry-driven complete Software as a service (SaaS) solutions. First place winner of e@UBCO’s 2022 Quick Pitch competition.


Accudripper

Sunil Suresh (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, PhD Candidate), Rohith Jayaraman (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, MASc)

AccuDripper is looking forward to revolutionizing intravenous (IV) therapy by reducing the cost of infrastructure and increasing the efficiency of the setup process by applying micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Second place winner of e@UBCO’s 2022 Quick Pitch competition.


APTIXX ROBOTICS ASSOCIATION

Agamjot Aneja (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 3rd year), Monica Rampaul (UBCO), Mat O’Flynn (Univ. of Calgary alumnus, 2011), Rishan Pfaender (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 3rd year), Navnit Bhaghar (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 3rd year), Gen Smith (UBCO)

Aptixx Robotics Association is a Canadian federally registered charity, dedicated to educating youth around the nation about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Third place winner of e@UBCO’s 2022 Quick Pitch competition.


Ok hydrotech

Jack Greenshields (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 4th year), Brenden Russell (UBCO Civil Engineering, 4th year), Jordan Mercuur (UBCO Engineering, 4th year), Santiago Correal (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 4th year), Eddie Cochran (UBCO Civil Engineering, 5th year)

OK HydroTech develops Smart Irrigation systems that learn, automate, and optimize the tasks of daily farming operations to offer farmers practical solutions to aid operations, reduce stress, and improve crop yields. Finalist in e@UBCO’s 2022 Quick Pitch competition.


Safety in Purity (SIP)

Yosamin Esanullah (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 2nd year), Elana Wood (UBCO Electrical Engineering, 3rd year), Yamen Shehab (UBCO Computer Engineering, 2nd year)

The SIP Project partners with outdoor adventure organizations, and humanitarian organizations to produce mobile filtration systems for emergency first-response and disaster relief. They are the winners of the 2021 Western Canadian AquaHacking Challenge. They are also the recipients of funding from UBC’s Inaugural Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Impact Fund, which helps student-led start-ups solve real-world problems.


Eledigm

Mikhail Ignatyev (UBCO Manufacturing Engineering, 2nd year), Tarek Al Kabbani (UBCO Electrical Engineering, 2nd year), André Cox (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 2nd year), Sydney Strocen (UBCO Engineering, 2nd year)

Eledigm focuses on creating elegant products to solve water issues. “WaterSafe MK1” Eledigm’s first product creates a new paradigm for preventing cistern contamination. They are the second place winners of the 2021 Western Canadian AquaHacking Challenge. They are also the recipients of funding from UBC’s Inaugural Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Impact Fund, which helps student-led start-ups solve real-world problems.


The GelMA Company

Mohamed Gamal, PhD (UBCO Engineering alumnus, 2020), Mohamed Roushdy

“Okagel” is a biomaterial (gelatin methacrylate GelMA) designed as a bio-ink in 3D bioprinting and microfluidics. An initial application for biomaterial and devices for biomaterial synthesis and 3D bio printing include creation of tissues and organs to solve shortages of donors for treating and replacing injured or damaged tissues and organs. The company plans to continue to develop new materials, methods, and devices to address additional applications.


TEAS FOR GOOD

Ariele Parker (UBCO MA alumna, Sustainability, 2021, BMgt alumna, 2012)

Teas for Good is a loose leaf tea company with a give-back model. With the sale of every bag of tea, $5 goes to a good cause. The company uses local ingredients and creates custom artwork for different charities to help tell stories that mean the most to each organization.


safecity security solutions

Hisham Khan (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 3rd year), Catarina Rodriguez (UBCO Mechanical Engineering, 3rd year), Edwin Firmansyah (UBCO Electrical Engineering, 3rd year), Carlos José Real López (UBCO Politics, Philosophy, Economics (PPE), 3rd year)

SafeCity Security works to solve friction points for businesses and homeowners by providing customized, easy-to-use, and innovative security solutions that provide comprehensive protection from unknown threats.


Above sensing ltd.

Vadim Stolvardov (Selkirk College BA GIS, 2nd year), Santiago Botero (Selkirk College BA GIS Alumnus, 2021)

Above Sensing is an innovative geospatial data and analytics service. They use leading drones, sensors, and AI-powered analysis to accelerate critical-decision making and deliver high-quality results to clients in agriculture, forestry, and other land and resource management industries.


Hiilite strategic impact analysis

William Walczak (UBCO Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies, PhD Candidate)

The venture seeks to develop a digitized impact analytic tool to support small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) digital and big data marketing strategic planning in Canada. The project will employ the Growth Hacking framework and advanced predictive analytic models to understand and assess SMEs’ business and marketing planning. The digitized impact analytic tool will become a new decision support system to inform SMEs’ future marketing strategic planning.

CloudTrac services

Connor Scott (UBCO Electrical Engineering 4th year), David Rojas (UBCO BBA Alumni 2015)   

Cloudtrac Services provides real-time GPS location information, vehicle status, and control of on and off-road vehicles that are vulnerable to theft, including motorcycles, personal watercraft, snowmobiles and ATVs. The system enables vehicle owners to track and recover stolen vehicles.  The goal is a reduction of the cost of third-party insurance.


Book n work      

Ahmed ElMouchi (UBCO Civil Engineering Ph.D. student), Twafiq Menad, Mahmoud Hasbalnaby (UBCO Ph.D. Student Electrical Engineering)

Book n Work pairs homeowners or offices that have extra space with students and start-ups that need co-working space.  It’s the Airbnb of co-working.


Elite A2Z               

Gavin Saini (UBCO Civil Engineering 3rd year), Keyvan Khadem (UBCO Civil Engineering 3rd year), Harvir Mann (UBCO Civil Engineering 3rd year), Ahmed Ramadan (UBCO Civil Engineering 3rd year)

A2Z filtration system removes 99% of hydrocarbon pollutants from stormwater runoff.  The filter has the potential to remove/reduce other pollutants.


GAPSS – Gravity-Assisted Particle Separation Systems

Jacob Sol (UBCO Civil Engineering 2nd year), Cole White-Robinson (UBCO Mechanical Engineering 2nd year), Jayden Wong (UBCO Electrical Engineering 2nd year), Graeme Kumagai (UBCO Electrical Engineering 2nd year), Rudransh Kumar (UBCO Electrical Engineering 2nd year)

Gravity-Assisted Particle Separations System is an easy-to-install, retrofittable, and affordable stormwater decontamination product which performs 3 primary functions: (1) uses media filtration to remove hydrocarbons (we are looking to expand to other contaminants as well); (2) alters inflowing water fluid dynamics to promote the sedimentation and remove sediments; and (3) uses a built-in sensor unit to collect real-time water quality data which is compiled and presented for an entire municipal network for monitoring.


Proximy    

Arpan Kandola (UBCO Alumni – Civil Engineering), Brodie Couch (UBCO Alumni – Civil Engineering), Brandon Caiza (UBCO Undergrad – Computer Science 4th year)

Proximy is a platform that connects individuals to opportunities of interest – whether that be on campus or in a community – thereby increasing connectivity and combating isolation and mental illness.  The app overcomes the two-way communications challenge that exists on campuses or in other “communities” where like-minded individuals have no way to access programs, activities, or clubs – and programmers have no way to reach their target audience because of privacy laws. In negotiations on a deal with Okanagan College and in discussions with faculty at UBCO.


VegMaps       

Ehab Ghanem (UBCO Ph.D. student, Electrical/Geomatics Engineering, Multi-sensor fusion for Autonomous Vehicles), Sam Al Khalidy (Graduate Okanagan College Business School and business executive), Mohammed Hussanein (Ph.D. student UofC) and Maan Khadr (Ph.D. student UofC) 

VegMaps uses multi-spectral cameras from aerial drones to provide agricultural operations with data such as crop count, weed detection and irrigation.  The team is undertaking a pilot with Ertus Software, an international wine production software consultancy at Culmina Winery currently.


The GelMA Company            

Mohamed Gamal (UBCO Alumni Ph.D. Engineering 2020), Mohamed Roushdy

“Okagel” is a biomaterial (gelatin methacrylate GelMA) designed as a bio-ink in 3D bioprinting and microfluidics.  An initial application for biomaterial and devices for biomaterial synthesis and 3D bioprinting include the creation of tissues and organs to solve shortages of donors for treating and replacing injured or damaged tissues and organs.  The company plans to continue to develop new materials, methods, and devices to address additional applications.


Omega Ratio 

Jake Winkler (UBCO Alumni – M.Sc Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2019), Lisa Renaud (UBCO Alumni M.Sc Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, current 1st-year Medical student), Daisy Ye (Ph.D. Biology UBCO – Alumni)

The first dietary management tool that helps people track the consumption of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids – a key driver of inflammation/chronic disease. This application identifies the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 in a user’s diet and provides recommendations and education to maintain a healthy proportion (4:1). Balancing the ‘Omega Ratio’ allows individuals to treat the root causes of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers as well as gut diseases.


ResearchTube

Mahmoud Sakr (UBCO PhD candidate Mechanical Engineering), Usama Ansari (UBCO MSc student Electrical Engineering 3rd year), Mohamed Sakr, Motasem Sakr (MSc Electrical Engineering U of T)

ResearchTube has developed an online platform that utilizes AI to convert the executive summaries of research papers into videos.  The platform will enable research papers to be more widely disseminated to researchers, media and the general public utilizing web analytics.  It will more effectively deliver content to a generation that consumes information via video versus print.  The platform will also enable eventually virtual research conferences – which enable wider participation by academic and industry to help overcome challenges of budget and travel restrictions – especially relevant during the current pandemic.


Agronome  

Michael Oyatsi (UBCO Mechanical Engineering Alumni 2020), Kennedy Wafula, Trufena Oyatsi, John Ngida

Agronome is an agricultural technology platform targeting farmers in Africa that seeks to aggregate crop, weather, and market data, synthesizing it into relevant information for use by farmers, allowing them to undertake improved decision-making throughout the farming cycle.  The team plans to use information from custom-built, affordable terrestrial weather observatories with satellite weather data as well as provide linkages between the farmers and other agricultural value chain stakeholders on a platform accessible by both smart and feature phones.  The resulting solution is called A.I.R.E.S (an abbreviation for Agricultural Information and Remote Extension Services).


citybizz.io                   

Saranjeet Singh (UBCO Alumni Masters Electrical Engineering 2018)

We harness Big Data and Machine Learning to empower small brick-and-mortar businesses in cities to sell effectively online to consumers.  Few small businesses are online or have a sophisticated online presence with the AI capabilities of major players like Amazon – and are particularly disadvantaged by the COVID epidemic to reach and deliver cost-effectively to possible customers.


Tutor Me!                  

Pouria Mehrabi (UBCO Alumni MASc 2018 Mechanical Engineering)

Tutor Me! connects students at all levels to tutors across Canada. In-class learning has been significantly impacted by the global pandemic, and online learning has become a vital tool that will continue to play a role in future classrooms.  Our service offers an opportunity for students and parents to find and book the best tutor for their academic needs. Instructors will create a profile, choose their teaching topics, set their own rates, tutor online (or in person in future) and connect with thousands of potential students.


Experience Kelowna

Pala Kovacs (UBCO Business Mgmt 3rd year)

Experience Kelowna provides the ability to truly appreciate and experience the beautiful Okanagan. Imagine having your own personal photographer join you on your wine, brewery, ATV, sailing, climbing, hiking or helicopter tour.  Now you can have your tour professionally photographed with high-end, magazine-worthy images.  You can put your cell phone away and truly enjoy the tour.


Ommaty Tech Solutions

Mohamed Abouzaid, (UBCO Computer Science 3rd year), Mohamed Aly (UBCO Master’s Student Mechanical Engineering 3rd year)

The Muslim community is expected to be 6.6% of the population by 2030.  This Mobile app will enable this growing consumer segment to more easily access relevant businesses and services such as restaurants, supermarkets and retail stores and enable such businesses to easily plan and target their offerings.

TASTEADVISOR

Digital platform designed for retailers and tourism boards to take the guesswork out of buying wine. The app uses AI to match a consumer’s personal taste preferences to a database of all regional wines, resulting in an accurate, personalized wine list.  Based on personal tastes, the solution also connects consumers with regional wineries, events and experiences – a navigation tool for exploring a region and an easy channel for purchasing. The platform can be white labelled to enable a wine region to easily customize content.

  • Named to Emerging Rocket Agri-Food list – BC companies with the greatest potential for revenue growth – past companies named include Hootsuite, Club Penguin (bought by Disney) and Flickr.
  • Contract with the BC Wine Institute
  • First place winner of the Pushor Mitchell e@UBCO Quick Pitch 2020 – Marketplace Track
  • Finalist for the Accelerate Okanagan Angel Summit.
  • Recipient of NRC IRAP and BDC funding.

HAPPIPAD

Social enterprise home-sharing platform to solve housing affordability and social isolation – now BC-wide and expanding across Western Canada.

  • Contract with Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre to provide home-sharing services to seniors across the Okanagan
  • Recipient of Columbia Basin Trust Award to fund the Revelstoke Community Resources Network in January 2020 – the city’s first large-scale home-sharing program
  • Winner Staples Canada This is How I Grow My Business Contest
  • Winner Purrpl CHANGEUP 2020 Pitch Competition
  • Recipient of funding from NRC IRAP and BDC

PROXIMY

Digital platform for enterprises that connects users based on personal interests and proximity.  Ecosystems such as university clubs, faculty and programmers can post activities, events and opportunities and an AI algorithm matches the user’s preferences and proximity to those activities and other users with common interests.   The platform increases inclusion and reduces social isolation, thereby improving mental health.

  • Second place winner of RBC e@UBCO Quick Pitch 2019
  • Second place winner of Pushor Mitchell e@UBCO Quick Pitch 2020 – Marketplace Track
  • Developing pilots for Okanagan College and UBC, Okanagan Campus

LEVITY

Matchmaking site that emulates the integrity and community of real-life matchmaking.

  • Winner of Audience Choice Award at Okanagan Angel Summit 2020

WESHOWUP.IO (FORMERLY BANDITVR)

Accessible, realistic and immersive virtual 3D arts, culture and entertainment experiences on mobile devices.

  • Third prize winner Marketplace Pushor Mitchell e@UBCO Quick Pitch 2020 Award
  • Successful client contracts with interior designers and boat manufacturer

GOOLAB 

AI, sensor and IoT solutions with broad applications, the first helping growers manage labour shortages, variable seasons and climate change by remotely managing key agriculture metrics.

  • Second prize winner Customer Discovery Pushor Mitchell e@UBCO Quick Pitch 2020 Award
  • Undertaking pilot with global wine business process software consultancy

OMEGA RATIO

Digital nutrition management tool for dietary management professionals and rehab specialists incorporating the latest science to combat inflammation/chronic disease including in Omega 3 and Omega 6.

  • First prize winner Customer Discovery Pushor Mitchell e@UBCO Quick Pitch Award

RESEARCHTUBE

AI platform enables researchers to easily create publicly accessible videos of executive summaries of research papers and to hold virtual scientific meetings.

  • Accepted into the second round of the New Venture BC Competition.

VEGMAP

Drone technology with cloud-based analytics enables farmers to monitor crop irrigation, health and yields to combat labour shortages, seasonal weather variations and climate change – undertaking a pilot with global wine business process software consultancy.

  • Undertaking pilot with global wine business process software consultancy

OKANRYM

Biomaterial and devices for biomaterial synthesis and 3D bioprinting including a BioInk to solve shortages of donors for treating and replacing injured or damaged tissues and organs.


AGRONOME

Digital platform for African farmers that aggregates and synthesizes crop, weather and market data for decision-making and management of seasonal weather variations, market prices and climate change.

  • Current competitor in MbeleNaBiz Business Competition for young entrepreneurs in Kenya.

FREEBIKE

Electric bike rental service for UBCO students combating limited City bus service on campus and seeking transportation to class or shopping.