Iain Klugman

Volta is Canadas East Coast Startup Hub and Co-Working Space. We connect tech entrepreneurs with programming, resources and space to scale and grow their companies in the tech and innovation ecosystem.

Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator, located in Hamilton and Halton, Ontario, committed to building the province’s innovation community and helping entrepreneurs bring their new and innovative ideas to market. Innovation Factory connects and enables active collaboration between the communities of science, business, government, academia and finance to accelerate the innovation process and amplify the economic and social impact of important new ideas and discoveries. Whether a small start-up company located in a garage or a multinational company that has been a part of the fabric of the region for a century, Innovation Factory can help bring innovations to life. Offering a variety of programming and services – from networking events to matching seasoned experts with our high-potential clients – we offer a comprehensive range of resources for entrepreneurs. Our experienced advisors guide our clients every step of the way. Innovation Factory works with innovators in a range of sectors, including, but not limited to: * Advanced manufacturing * Cleantech * Information technology, communications and entertainment * Life sciences and health care * Integrated and smart mobility solutions * Social innovations

Among the Worlds Top 5 Private Business Accelerators Since 2017. We exist to help you actualize your venture, accelerate its growth, and watch it thrive.

The Conrad School is an immersive educational environment for entrepreneurs. Located at the University of Waterloo, rated the most innovative in Canada, the Conrad School is the academic engine for entrepreneurship, offering programs that are entrepreneurial by design. Conrad serves entrepreneurial students at all stages of their journey. The Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) is a graduate level business degree that combines academic learning with real-world experience to offer a dynamic and uniquely entrepreneurial business education. The Minor in Entrepreneurship serves undergraduate Waterloo students, who can add courses in Venture Creation, Commercialization Management, and Essentials of Entrepreneurial Behaviour to jump-start their careers while completing their education. The Conrad School supports innovative students, research, and companies through our award-winning faculty, dedicated staff, and vibrant ecosystem. Begin your entrepreneurial journey at Conrad today!

Communitech helps founders start, grow and succeed. Established in 1997, our mission has been our guide ever since. We are doubling down on our commitment to elevate Waterloo Region as an innovation hub on the global stage. A strong and vibrant region is essential for a prosperous province and resilient nation. Firmly rooted in our commitment to Tech for Good®, we collaborate with tech communities from coast to coast to create growth opportunities for our founders. With a unified support network, we are shaping a future where Canadian tech sets trends and sparks inspiration worldwide. Our superpower is the ability to connect, convene and catalyze: we bring people, opportunities and resources together, create space for collaboration and partnerships, and provide the tools and support tech companies need to scale.

NorthGuide creates value at the intersection of business, government, and community. We work alongside our clients to develop, validate, and action strategy using innovation methods and our extensive network. We meet clients where they are and work alongside them, helping them to build strategic roadmaps, create coalitions and convene strategic partners to achieve big impact, and spot new opportunities to drive economic growth and success. NorthGuide’s broad network helps clients understand new trends, identify opportunities, and surface potential partnerships. And NorthGuide’s partners specialize in helping organizations put strategy into action – developing a plan that works for them, and then moving straight into execution, sharing practices, tools, and resources along the way. We take a holistic approach to solving problems and always make sure we understand the broader picture. Our wide field of view allows us to share learnings across industries and make connections between public and private sectors. Learn more about how our method of “strategic doing,” can create impact at www.northguide.ca

HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets firm with over 43 years of experience and more than $146 billion assets under management as of June 30, 2025. Our interwoven platform provides clients access to global primary funds, secondary transactions, direct co-investments, real assets and infrastructure, and private credit. Please note that all other Key Firm Stats, where provided, are as of June 30, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

Next Generation Manufacturing Canada is a network of private and public sector organizations working together to ensure that Canada is at the forefront of advanced manufacturing.

ScaleUP Ventures Inc. is a Canadian venture capital fund manager, based in Toronto, Ontario. The ScaleUP managed team is lead by Kevin Kimsa. ScaleUP is focused on early stage venture capital with a preference for Business-to-Business opportunities. Unique to the Canadian venture capital landscape, ScaleUP Venture Fund I is composed of some of Canadas largest and most successful organizations, all committed to providing a conduit to corporate Canada for the portfolio companies.

ODX is working to stimulate innovation and collaboration through open and shared data. Everybody knows that reliable, real-time data is key to ensuring that homes are safe, decent, and well-maintained. Our vision is to unlock the potential of property data and give ownership of the data to residents* to influence decisions about their home.