Ontario Centre of Innovation

🎓 Redefining Success at #DiscoveryX 🎓 What does it take to step away from the traditional path and build a company from scratch? That’s the story of Mahbod S., co-founder, Toronto-based entrepreneur. But he’s far from the only one. Mahbod represent a growing generation of founders who are redefining success and taking their learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. In a candid conversation with Claudia Krywiak, this panel will explore the realities behind unconventional founder journeys – and the role of Ontario’s innovation ecosystem in supporting emerging entrepreneurs. Only at DiscoveryX – Ontario’s premier innovation event on April 29 & 30. See our full slate of programming: https://lnkd.in/gq46m-Pb

Behind every great startup is an educator who inspired it. With support from OCI’s Board of Directors and sponsored by Alectra Inc., OCI is launching the inaugural Educator Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award recognizing faculty in Ontario’s colleges and universities who go beyond the classroom to mentor, commercialize, and empower student entrepreneurs. 🏆 $20,000 awards 🚨 Nominations are OPEN, deadline is April 10th 📍 Announced at DiscoveryX (April 29–30) Nominate an educator making an impact: https://lnkd.in/e4JXViyW Sponsored by Alectra Inc. and established by OCI’s Board of Directors. #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #PostSecondary #StartupEcosystem

Think your pitch is ready? Let’s find out. By popular demand, our Ask-an-Investor sessions are making a return to #DiscoveryX — putting you at the table with real investors who know what it takes to scale. Don't forget: Early Bird pricing ends TODAY, March 31st! 🗓️ April 29–30, 2026 📍 100 Princes' Blvd, Enercare Centre, Toronto 🔗️ https://lnkd.in/grmPFHkm #DX2026 #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #innovation #FounderTips

Where are Ontario’s brightest ideas going next? 💡🚀    Find out at the Where Next Showcase, our #DiscoveryX pitch competition that’s all about unlocking IP to solve real-world problems—with participants from top universities across the province.    In the spotlight: WearDOXX.    A York University spin-out, WearDOXX is developing next-generation wearable biosensing technologies that enable continuous, non-invasive monitoring of physiological signals and biomarkers.     Presented by Razieh Salahandish, this platform integrates microfluidics, advanced sensors, and #AI-driven analytics to deliver health insights in real time.    Register today to see #innovation take the stage!    🗓️ April 29–30, 2026  📍 100 Princes' Blvd, Enercare Centre, Toronto  🔗️ https://lnkd.in/grmPFHkm    #DX2026 #PitchCompetition  Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)  Igor Cunha, PhD

Did you hear? Christian Weedbrook from Xanadu is coming to the #DiscoveryX mainstage in a fireside chat with Sean Silcoff from The Globe and Mail! Christian has spent the last 20 years at the forefront of bringing quantum technology to the world through his work. His company, Xanadu Quantum Technologies, has grown into one of the world’s largest quantum computing companies, solidifying Canada’s place as a leader in the field of quantum. We are so lucky to have him join us on the mainstage. 🎤✨ Register now before prices increase April 1! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gaMa4XrS

🍁 Made in Canada. Powered by Ontario. ⚡ #DiscoveryX 2026 is almost here—the ultimate event for companies looking to strengthen their IP strategies. Hear from top experts like Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) on how you can protect your ideas and scale with confidence. Early bird pricing ends TOMORROW, March 31st! 🗓️ April 29–30, 2026 📍 100 Princes' Blvd, Enercare Centre, Toronto 🔗️ https://lnkd.in/edmgwSem #DX2026 #B2BEvents

LAST CHANCE to register 🚨 Learn how the Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative can benefit your #SME 👉 Join Us on April 1st for – CIT Info Session: Future Ready and Talent Development Internships. Register Now 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eBNFjdwW #CIT #CriticalTech #OntarioInnovation #SMEs

48 HOURS LEFT for Ontario Innovators to Make Their Move: Save on DiscoveryX! #Innovation doesn’t wait, and neither does our Early Bird pricing. Register by March 31st to lock in your discounted rate and join the founders, investors, researchers, government, and industry leaders shaping Where Next Happens across Ontario. Trust us, this is one event you won’t want to miss! 🗓️ April 29–30, 2026 📍 100 Princes' Blvd, Enercare Centre, Toronto 🔗️ https://lnkd.in/edmgwSem #DX2026 #B2BEvents

It’s time for another recap! From Kanata to Hamilton and everywhere in between—our team hit the ground running this week, connecting with the founders, investors, and partners driving Ontario forward. Here is #OCI’s provincial footprint at work: 🏭 First, Cameron Gray, Randy Ringuette, PhD, and Robyn Binsfeld, PhD were in Ottawa for the #EMC Manufacturing Excellence Forum. 💡 Speaking at the #CVCA Women’s Leadership Summit, Feiran Zhou shared key insights on building more inclusive talent pipelines across venture capital and private equity. ✈️ From the cockpit: Corey Shenken, PMP caught a unique view of the ITS Canada Hamilton Technology Innovation Forum, hosted by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. 🛡️ Mona Eghanian, MBA, P.Eng lent her voice to “Innovation in Defence”, an executive roundtable held during the Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada Defence Roadshow. 🤝 Later that day, Mandeep Singh Rehal was onsite at the Toronto Stock Exchange for #CIX, powered by Elevate. 🌐 Greg Gordon, Joelle Monje, MI, and Carlos Rojas sat down with Hub Grand Est > Québec’s Eastern France Health Delegation to discuss #innovation growth support in Ontario. 🚘 Across town, John George, P.Eng, PMP and Henna Agha joined Mercedes-Benz AG, a founding #OVIN Incubators partner, for the launch of their new S-Class vehicle. 🌾 Robert McMillan made his way to the Canadian Ag Robotics & AI Summit, where he snapped a quick photo with #CIT-backed SMEs Upside Robotics, Haggerty AgRobotics Co., Finite Robotics, and Hoogendoorn Growth Management. 👩💼 At OneEleven, Claudia Krywiak opened the floor for “Building, Leading, and Scaling with AI”—a moderated fireside chat on what sustainable growth actually looks like. 🎤 Dan Ruby met with industry leaders during the Simcoe County leg of the #APMA Regional Tour, contributing to a timely discussion about Ontario’s automotive future amid the 2026 CUSMA joint review. 🩺 Meanwhile, Michael R. Jones, Ph.D. (He/Him/His) took part in ONeconomy | ÉconomieON’s Digital Health Cluster meeting—exploring ways to advance Ontario #HealthTech. 🧠 Maedeh Sedaghat and Gowri Prakash visited the Ontario Tech University campus for a series of Automotive Innovation Challenges, overseeing students solve real-world problems set by industry partners Magna International, Toyota Canada Inc., and Cyberworks Robotics Inc. 🚀 Fresh off the 2026 QUBIC IP Pitch Competition, Amir Pahlevanpour, PhD and Robyn Binsfeld, PhD showed their support at #KEDC’s 5th Annual Kingston Syracuse Pathway Conference. 🎓 Alèque Juneau stopped by York University for their Auto & Mobility Career Day, where students shared the impact of their recent work placements. 🤖 Closing the week strong, Jordan Detmers and Patricia Singson were in Oshawa to attend #OntarioTech’s inaugural AI Summit. Don’t forget: early bird pricing for #DiscoveryX ends March 31st! Register now 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eakGgG4D

⚡ Big moment for Ontario and Canadian innovation 🚨 Congrats to Xanadu on its TSX debut, and to Christian Weedbrook (and his entire team), on this incredible milestone. #OCI is so proud to have supported #Xanadu in its early stages, and we are thrilled to have Christian on the mainstage at #DiscoveryX in a few weeks.