.jpg)
Vaughan, ON - ventureLAB’s 5th Annual HardTech Summit brought together Canada’s top hardware innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to strengthen the country’s position in the global innovation economy. The two-day summit featured over 1,500 attendees, more than 50 speakers, and 40+ booths, spotlighting Canadian excellence in hardware, AI, semiconductors and MedTech.
The summit opened with remarks from journalist and podcast host Manjula Selvarajah, followed by ventureLAB CEO Hugh Chow, who reflected, “That is why HardTech matters. Because behind every algorithm is hardware. Behind every startup is a founder. Behind every chip is human ingenuity.” Chow emphasized that HardTech Summit has become a catalyst for collaboration and growth across Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
Panels and fireside sessions tackled pressing challenges and opportunities, including “From Lab to Global Market: Scaling Canadian MedTech,” which explored how Canadian innovators can bring their medical technologies to global markets. Brandon Fenton, Partner at True Search, offered further insights into scaling success through full-stack leadership, global vision, and talent investment, noting that in hardtech, every hiring delay is a growth delay.
AI and semiconductor sessions, including “From Pioneer to Passenger? Canada’s AI Crossroads” and “AI Beyond the Hype: Implementation in Canada’s Core Industries,” highlighted Canada’s technological potential. Investor-focused panels such as “Chips on the Table” and “The Deep Tech Bet: Why Hardware Is the Next Venture Frontier” highlighted the changing landscape of venture capital and how investors are backing ambitious, long-term technology ventures.
In addition to thought leadership and discussion, the Summit generated meaningful outcomes that advanced collaboration and investment across the ecosystem.
This year’s HardTech MedTech Zone spotlighted cutting-edge medical technologies and digital health solutions, drawing innovators, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of healthcare. The Investor Zone facilitated over 100 one-on-one meetings with more than 20 investors, while the exhibition floor showcased Canada’s latest advancements in hardware, AI, and semiconductors.
.jpg)
The summit also featured the announcement of York Region’s 2025 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund winners, supporting nonprofits and entrepreneurs developing Agri-tech and Cleantech innovations. Additionally, ventureLAB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Technum Quebec and North American semiconductor organizations to advance the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor, reinforcing Canada’s strategic role in the continent’s semiconductor industry.
Major Announcements:
- ventureLAB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Technum Quebec and North American semiconductor organizations to advance the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor, reinforcing Canada’s strategic role in the continent’s semiconductor industry.
- York Region’s 2025 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund winners were announced, supporting nonprofits and entrepreneurs developing Agri-tech and Cleantech innovations.
On the second night, the HardTech Gala brought together Canada’s leading innovators, investors, and industry leaders for an evening of engaging discussions and startup showcases, fostering connection across the ecosystem. The Gala featured a fireside chat with Rahul Goel, CEO of NordSpace, in conversation with Steve Paikin, highlighting Canadian innovation in space technology and its intersection with advanced manufacturing.
The 2025 Pitch Gala Winners:
First place - $30,000: Kiwi Charge, a Robotics and AI startup transforming EV charging for multi-tenant buildings.
Second place - $20,000: PROVA Innovations Ltd., a clinical-stage MedTech company with its smart-insole platform WithinStride®.
All finalists, including Expertiqa Technologies, CredoSense, DIA Labs Canada, Digitho Technologies, Fibra Inc, Reefers Technologies INC, Vrit Inc., and Wireless Park N Charge, demonstrated the creativity, technical excellence, and determination that define Canada’s next generation of hardware innovators.
The 5th Annual HardTech Summit, made possible through sponsors including Canada Foundation for Innovation, City of Markham, ElevateIP c/o Communitech, Finalta Capital Inc., Dell Technologies, and media partners BetaKit, EE Times, and Canadian Manufacturing, concluded with renewed optimism for Canada’s innovation future. The event reaffirmed ventureLAB’s commitment to building a globally competitive hardware ecosystem and to supporting Canadian founders from idea to scale-up.
“Canada’s next global champions in deep tech are being built here,” said Hugh Chow, CEO of ventureLAB. “HardTech Summit proves that our country is not just keeping pace with innovation, we are defining it.”
Looking ahead, ventureLAB will continue to champion Canadian innovation through expanded partnerships, accelerator programs, and international collaborations that connect entrepreneurs to global opportunities.
About ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 7,100 jobs and raise more than $480 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada’s knowledge-based economy.
