Entrepreneurship

Xatoms, a startup co-founded by University of Toronto students Diana Virgovicova and Kerem Topal Ismail Oglou, has been recognized with three prizes at Startupfest 2024.

The company, which uses quantum chemistry and AI to discover molecules that can efficiently purify water, took home the $100,000 Best of the Fest, $100,000 Women in Tech Investment and $50,000 Front Row Ventures Student Entrepreneur prizes. Those prizes will be matched by the Business Development Bank of Canada, bringing Xatoms’s total winnings at Startupfest to $500,000.

Additionally, Xatoms has also been selected among the top 14 out of 9,400 teams for the prestigious Hult Prize, and will compete for the $1-million grand prize in September.

The startup evolved out of a discovery that Virgovicova, its CEO, made at age 17 when she used quantum chemistry software to model a photocatalyst molecule that can eliminate pollutants from water when exposed to sunlight.

Xatoms, which was part of The Bridge accelerator program at U of T Scarborough and is now part of the SpinUp wet lab incubator at U of T Mississauga, builds on that discovery by incorporating AI and machine learning to discover more – and more efficient – materials and molecules.

Biomaterials startup Erthos recognized with 2024 Governor General’s Innovation Award

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 28 May 2024 15:01:48 +0000

Biomaterials startup Erthos recognized with 2024 Governor General’s Innovation Award

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rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 05/28/2024 - 11:01

Alumni

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Entrepreneurship

Governor General's Innovation Award

University of Toronto Entrepreneurship

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Nuha Siddiqui (L) and Kritika Tyagi (photo by Matthew Volpe)

Erthos, a biomaterials startup co-founded by University of Toronto alumni Nuha Siddiqui and Kritika Tyagi, has received a 2024 Governor General's Innovation Award.

Launched in 2016, the annual awards celebrate exceptional Canadian individuals, teams and organizations for their excellence in innovation and their contributions in helping to shape our future and positively impact our quality of life.

Erthos, which began as a research project of Siddiqui’s while she was studying at U of T, was recognized for its efforts in helping tackle plastic pollution with its novel plant-based resin, which serves as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics. The startup was nominated for the honour by the Business Development Bank of Canada.

“Nuha Siddiqui's leadership at Erthos is a testament to strategic vision, adaptability and a commitment to global sustainability,” reads the award citation. “Erthos stands resilient, inspiring transformative change for a more sustainable and inclusive future.”

Read about the 2024 Governor General's Innovation Awards

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Startup founders recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 list

lanthierj — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:15:55 +0000

Startup founders recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 list

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lanthierj Wed, 12/14/2022 - 19:15

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Forbes 30 Under 30

Rotman School of Management

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(L-R) Kritika Tyagi, Nuha Siddiqui, Lauren Watkins and Sagar Jaiswal

Entrepreneurs behind two startups that got off the ground at University of Toronto, and an alumna who launched a frozen food startup while working on her master's degree are among the young up-and-comers on Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Erthos co-founders Nuha Siddiqui and Kritika Tyagi were recognized in the social impact category, while Argentum Electronics co-founder and chief technology officer Sagar Jaiswal was recognized as a rising talent in manufacturing and industry. PuraVida Foods founder and CEO Lauren Watkins was recognized in the Food & Drink category.

Siddiqui and Tyagi started Erthos, formerly known as EcoPackers, while studying at U of T. The plant-based plastics venture received early support from U of T’s entrepreneurship community, including Creative Destruction Lab at the Rotman School of Management. Founded in 2018, the company has raised US$5.5 million in funding and is bringing in six figures in annual revenue, Forbes reports.

U of T Engineering alum Jaiswal shared a spot on the list with Argentum Electronics co-founder and president Bolis Ibrahim. The Ontario-based company, which changes the way electricity is distributed in buildings from AC to DC to reduce energy consumption, was boosted by the Impact Centre’s Techno2018 entrepreneurship program. Its patented DC power distribution system can cut a building’s electricity costs by 40 per cent. The company has raised $1.1 million, per Forbes.

Watkins, who earned a master's degree in human resources and industrial relations in 2021, launched PuraVida in 2020. The company's ethically sourced, nutrient-rich frozen foods are sold in roughly 1,000 stores in the U.S., Forbes reported.

The annual Forbes 30 Under 30 list spotlights hundreds of leaders across an array of industries who have made a mark in their fields before their 30^th birthday.

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DNAstack named one of World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers

lanthierj — Tue, 10 May 2022 15:58:19 +0000

DNAstack named one of World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers

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lanthierj Tue, 05/10/2022 - 11:58

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(photo by Jeff Beardall)

DNAstack, a University of Toronto startup that is developing software and standards to help scientists and health leaders access and analyze genomic and biomedical data, has been named one of the World Economic Forum’s 100 most promising Technology Pioneers of 2022.

The honour recognizes companies creating and wielding new technologies and innovations that are poised to have a significant impact on business and society. Previous winners include Google, Twitter, Airbnb, Spotify and Foundation Medicine.

Co-founded by U of T alumnus Marc Fiume and Ryan Cook, DNAstack was recognized for its work in establishing federated data networks and powering insights in COVID-19 pandemic surveillance, neuroscience, rare disease and oncology.

“We are honoured to be recognized and grateful for the opportunity to accelerate our impact with the incredible support of the World Economic Forum,” said Fiume, who earned his PhD, master's and bachelor’s degrees from U of T.

Saemoon Yoon, community lead, technology pioneers at the World Economic Forum, said “DNAstack and its fellow pioneers are at the forefront of industries that are critical to solving some of our world’s most complex issues today.

“We look forward to their contribution to the World Economic Forum in its commitment to improving the state of the world.”

Jon French recognized with Minister of Colleges and Universities' Award of Excellence

lanthierj — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 17:14:38 +0000

Jon French recognized with Minister of Colleges and Universities' Award of Excellence

Community

lanthierj Tue, 02/01/2022 - 12:14

Staff

St. George

Entrepreneurship

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photo by Brian de Rivera Simon)

Jon French, director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship, has received a Minister of Colleges and Universities' Award of Excellence for working with industry and business to drive economic development.

“Since starting at U of T in the early days of the pandemic, Jon French has cultivated a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors,” said Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “He has overseen innovative virtual forums such as U of T Entrepreneurship Week and helped forge global connections through programs like the Indo-Canadian Entrepreneurship Exchange.

“The University of Toronto congratulates Jon on this important recognition of his work to harness the talent and enthusiasm of U of T’s entrepreneurship community and support their efforts to translate ideas and research-based innovations into startups that are solving problems, creating jobs and enriching the economy.”

French said he was “honoured and humbled” to receive the award, which he noted is a validation of the hard work and accomplishments of many innovators and staff across U of T’s three campuses.

“The profound impact of the U of T Entrepreneurship community is on display through initiatives including our Intellectual Property (IP) Education Program, activities such as the Black Founders Network to support inclusive excellence and the rapidly growing level of global interest and investment into the startups and talent supported by the University of Toronto,” French said.

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Entrepreneurship

Xatoms startup named Hult Prize finalist, wins three prizes at Startupfest

Read more about Xatoms CEO Diana Virgovicova

Read more about the Hult Prize

Biomaterials startup Erthos recognized with 2024 Governor General’s Innovation Award

Read about the 2024 Governor General's Innovation Awards

Startup founders recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 list

DNAstack named one of World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers

Read more about DNAStack

Jon French recognized with Minister of Colleges and Universities' Award of Excellence