Our Hardtech Gala night carried the momentum from Day 1, uniting innovators, investors, and leaders from across Canada’s deep tech ecosystem for an evening of powerful conversations, inspiring pitches, and community celebration.
The night opened with remarks from ventureLAB CEO Hugh Chow, who reflected on the growth of Canada’s hardtech sector and the collaborative spirit driving innovation nationwide. He emphasized the importance of building resilient, globally competitive ecosystems rooted in Canadian expertise, partnership, and long-term vision.
The program then transitioned to a dynamic fireside chat featuring Rahul Goel, CEO of NordSpace, in conversation with Steve Paikin, host of The Paikin Podcast. Together, they explored how Canadian innovation in space technology and semiconductors is expanding the nation’s global footprint and opening new frontiers in commercialization, research, and sustainability. Their discussion underscored the growing intersection between aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and the pivotal role Canadian companies are playing in defining the future of space-enabled technologies.
The highlight of the evening was the HardTech Gala, where three semifinalists took the stage to showcase their groundbreaking technologies before a panel of judges and an audience of industry peers. Each founder demonstrated the creativity, technical excellence, and determination that define Canada’s next generation of hardware innovators.
2025 Pitch Gala Winners
First place: Robotics and AI startup Kiwi Charge is transforming EV charging for multi-tenant buildings. Its autonomous mobile charging robots operate overnight, replacing up to 30 traditional chargers at just 40 percent of the cost. Using AI-driven optimization, Kiwi Charge delivers reliable, hassle-free EV charging while reducing infrastructure requirements, with pilots underway with major automakers, developers, and municipalities across North America. The company earned the $30,000 top prize.
Second place: PROVA Innovations Ltd., a clinical-stage MedTech company, develops WithinStride®, a smart-insole platform providing real-time gait analysis, remote monitoring, and personalized home-based gait retraining. Designed to support mobility, reduce joint strain, and prevent falls, WithinStride® offers a scalable, at-home solution for patients with stroke, musculoskeletal, or neurological conditions. PROVA received the $20,000 award.
Congratulations to our winners, and to all the exceptional finalists who participated, including Expertiqa Technologies, CredoSense, DIA Labs, Digitho, Fibra Inc, Reefers Technologies INC, Vrit Inc. Wireless Park N Charges. Your dedication and innovative spirit continue to define the future of Canadian hardware technology.
Thank You to Our Judges
We extend our sincere gratitude to this year’s distinguished judging panel for lending their expertise and insight to the competition: Chloe Archambault from Quantacet, Pierre-Luc Labelle from Finalta Capital, and Colin Webster from RiSC Capital.
The 5th Annual HardTech Summit concluded with renewed optimism and purpose, as participants left energized by the ideas, collaborations, and partnerships that emerged over two remarkable days. Together, these conversations are charting the course for the next era of Canadian innovation, where bold ideas become global impact.
