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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260407T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260407T120000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20260227T165832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T162734Z
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SUMMARY:Expert Founder Workshop: Preparing for Growth\, Investment & Exit Through Smart Tax Strategy
DESCRIPTION:As your company moves beyond pre-revenue and into real growth\, the financial and tax decisions you make now can mean the difference between incremental progress — and exponential value. The right strategy doesn’t just protect your business. It can save you hundreds\, thousands\, even millions of dollars over time. \nMNP is joining the Accelerator Centre for a practical\, founder-focused workshop built specifically for growth-stage companies preparing for their next chapter — whether you’re raising capital\, scaling operations\, graduating from the AC program\, or positioning for a successful exit. \nThis isn’t theory. It’s real-world insight from advisors who work alongside scaling companies every day. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to strengthen your financial foundation\, maximize available funding\, and proactively plan for the tax milestones that can materially impact your valuation and long-term success. \nWhat We’ll Cover: \nSR&ED for Scale-Ups: Best Practices & What’s Changed\nAs your R&D investments grow\, so do the opportunities — and the risks. Get a practical update on recent SR&ED developments\, avoid common claim pitfalls\, and learn proven strategies to optimize returns as your operations become more complex. \nTax Planning Strategies for High-Growth Companies: Key Milestones\, Triggers & Timing\nGrowth introduces new tax realities. From investment rounds and ownership changes to exits and operational independence\, understand the critical milestones founders must plan for early. Learn how smart\, proactive tax strategy can unlock significant savings — and how to avoid the costly missteps many discover too late. \nWho Should Attend: \nFounders and senior leaders of growth-stage companies who are actively generating revenue and preparing for expansion\, investment\, or transition. \nPosition your company for sustainable growth\, protect enterprise value\, and plan strategically for what comes next. \n  \nJay McLean – Partner\, National SR&ED Leader\nJay McLean is a MNP Partner and national leader of the Government Incentive practice including: Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits\, Ontario Interactive Digital Media tax credits (OIDMTC)\, and more. \nHe is a designated accountant and engineer with more than 20 years of experience working with companies from varying industry sectors. The majority of Jay’s client work is with SME private companies. Jay is committed to providing clients the highest and most efficient service possible in all situations\, and as such will coordinate service engagements. \nAs the leader of the national SR&ED practice\, Jay’s experience spans a variety of R&D settings\, prototyping\, and production environments including: development of new materials\, engineering consulting companies\, software development\, manufacturing settings\, and more. Jay also has considerable experience leading SR&ED audits with the Canada Revenue Agency to very successful outcomes. \n  \nScott Chartrand – Senior Manager\, Tax\nScott Chartrand\, CPA\, CA is a Senior Manager in MNP’s Tax Services practice in Waterloo\, Ontario. With more than 14 years of experience in public practice and within one of Canada’s largest insurance organizations\, Scott helps small and medium sized businesses navigate complex tax and regulatory matters with confidence. \nScott delivers tailored tax compliance and advisory solutions grounded in a disciplined\, client focused approach. By taking the time to understand his clients’ goals\, he develops clear and practical strategies to support long-term success. His areas of focus include corporate structuring\, succession planning\, tax minimization\, and acquisitions and divestitures. Known for his strong technical expertise and problem solving skills\, Scott provides innovative solutions while ensuring clients remain compliant. \nScott earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) from Laurentian University in 2011. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2014 and completed CPA Canada’s InDepth Tax Program in 2018. He is actively involved in the accounting and financial services community through volunteer leadership and mentorship roles\, including involvement with CPA Ontario and the Insurance Institute of Canada. \n  \nTony Papa​ – Partner\, ​Regional TMT Leader\nTony is a senior Business Advisor with MNP’s Assurance and Accounting team in Waterloo and the firm’s Regional Leader of Technology\, Media\, and Telecommunications. Tony is a leader with more than two decades of experience serving companies with international\, national and local operations. \nTony works closely with clients across several industries\, including technology\, manufacturing\, consumer business\, services\, retail\, and distribution. He supports his clients in reporting across a multitude of frameworks\, such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)\, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)\, and Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE). \nPrior to joining MNP\, Tony served as the director of financial reporting and corporate finance for a publicly listed Canadian company and was also an audit partner at a global accounting firm. \nTony earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1998. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)\, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2001. Tony is a board member with the Kitchener Soccer Club.
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/expert-founder-workshop-preparing-for-growth-investment-exit-through-smart-tax-strategy/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260311T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260311T120000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20260217T145552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T215432Z
UID:10000014-1773225000-1773230400@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:Global Impact Creator Showcase 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an inspiring evening as we celebrate the 2026 cohort of the Global Impact Creator (GIC) Program—a collaborative initiative between the Accelerator Centre and the University of Waterloo designed to help entrepreneurs explore and advance social innovation across human\, planetary\, and animal health.  \nOver the past several months\, this year’s visionary founders have pushed boundaries\, validating critical unmet needs\, developing bold solutions\, and piloting initiatives built to create measurable real-world impact. Through mentorship\, hands-on programming\, and collaboration with experts across the innovation ecosystem\, participants have transformed early-stage ideas into ventures grounded in evidence\, purpose\, and action.  \nThis showcase marks the culmination of their journey. Founders will take the stage to present their ventures\, share key learnings\, and highlight the traction they’ve achieved—from validation insights and pilot outcomes to partnerships and next steps.  \nConnect with fellow changemakers\, engage with mentors and industry leaders\, and explore opportunities to collaborate with startups shaping a more sustainable\, equitable future.  \nWhether you’re an entrepreneur\, investor\, ecosystem partner\, student\, or passionate advocate for change\, this event is your chance to champion the next generation of impact-driven leaders.  \nBe part of the momentum. Be part of the impact.\nWe can’t wait to see you there.  \n  \nAGENDA \n10:30 AM  |  Doors open to the public \n10:45 AM  |  Opening remarks from Accelerator Centre – Meghan Gervais\, Director of Founder Experience \n10:55 AM  |  University of Waterloo remarks – Alfred Yu\, Associate Vice President of Partnerships\, Entrepreneurship\, and Commercialization \n11:05 AM  |  Presentations from GIC cohort participants \n12:00 PM |  Closing remarks and networking \n  \nMeet the Founders in this Cohort of the Global Impact Creator Program \n  \n \nSean Geobey | Groupthink Labs   \nSean Geobey is Director and Head of Research at Groupthink Labs\, where he develops and tests innovative models for participatory governance that communities of all sizes can adopt and scale. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo and serves as Director of the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI)\, advancing interdisciplinary research on complex social and economic systems. Sean’s work bridges academia and practice\, combining rigorous research with real-world application to strengthen collaborative decision-making and community impact.  \nGroupthink Labs builds digital tools for collective decision-making\, starting with Polls—a participatory budgeting platform for municipalities\, community foundations\, and organizations that must balance diverse voices and limited budgets. It helps groups allocate resources and set priorities using proven democratic methods\, delivering a process that is transparent\, efficient\, and trusted.  \nTamer Shahin | Hiro Technologies Inc. \nTamer Shahin is CEO and Co-Founder of Hiro\, where he is building innovative solutions from the heart of Waterloo’s tech ecosystem. Previously\, he served as Senior Manager of Velocity Digital\, mentoring and advising early-stage startups on business strategy\, product development\, investor readiness\, and growth. Tamer is passionate about equipping founders with the tools\, networks\, and practical guidance they need to prototype efficiently\, launch strong MVPs\, and scale with confidence. \nHiro turns children’s physiotherapy exercises into motion-based games that use a device’s camera so the child’s body becomes the controller. Built with therapists and families in mind\, it runs on phones\, tablets\, and computers\, tracks progress with analytics\, and makes home or clinic practice more engaging—without extra equipment.  \n \nSaba Oji | HolisticMind AI  \nNamed one of Canada’s Top 100 AI Startups\, Saba’s company HolisticMindAI develops therapist-guided AI tools to support mental health providers through ethical\, human-first innovation. As a researcher and EDI advocate\, she brings a nuanced and compassionate view on responsible AI development—emphasizing safety\, equity\, and community-informed design. Her lens blends technical rigor with lived experience and a commitment to ethical implementation.  \nHolisticMindAI helps therapists save time on case notes with AI-powered transcription that produces structured\, session-ready summaries. It also provides each client with a personalized\, therapist-guided AI companion built from their own sessions\, extending care between visits with guided check-ins and reinforcement of insights—while keeping the clinician in control. \nJianping (Felix) Xu | Lumos Health Inc. \nJianping (Felix) Xu is Co-founder and Founding Engineer at Lumos\, where he leads the development of the software and systems powering the company’s smart glasses technology. He designs and builds mobile applications for iOS and Android\, develops embedded software to enable seamless device communication\, and oversees secure backend infrastructure for user data management. Felix brings full-stack technical expertise and a product-focused mindset to creating intuitive\, reliable wearable technology experiences.  \nLumos Health makes smart glasses that deliver light therapy for people experiencing depression and poor sleep\, in a discreet\, comfortable form that looks like everyday eyewear. Designed for daily use\, the glasses support consistent routines; in an eight-week double-blind clinical evaluation\, they showed about 30% mood improvement (MADRS)\, 20% better sleep quality\, and a 40 ms gain in reaction time.  \n \nRobin Andrade | Patient Pro Inc.   \nRobin brings over a decade of experience teaching at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy and more than twenty years in the health care field. A registered pharmacy technician\, she has dedicated her career to education\, earning a BEd\, MEd\, and now pursuing a PhD\, demonstrating her deep commitment to lifelong learning.  \nPatient Pro began as a Master’s project during her studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Though the idea remained quietly in her back pocket\, it resurfaced after graduation\, when she recognized the potential to explore the intersection of AI and education through her doctoral research at Brock University.  \nToday\, Robin continues to support student learning in her role in work-integrated learning as an Educational Developer\, helping to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical experience.  \nDr. Tom McFarlane | Patient Pro Inc.  \nDr. Tom McFarlane teaches oncology\, internal medicine\, and autoimmunity topics to the undergraduate students at the School of Pharmacy. He has a particular interest in GI\, lung\, and prostate cancers\, and conducts practice based research in these settings which includes exploring ways of improving supportive care regimens for patients and the impact of supportive care on overall outcomes. He is also interested in qualitative research examining patient attitudes toward cancer care.  \n  \n  \n \nRunjhun Saran Narayan | MOLwise Biosciences Inc.   \nRunjhun is the Founder and CEO of MOLwise Biosciences Inc.\, an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo\, and The University of British Columbia\, Canada; and Scientific Lead\, Life Sciences at the International Center for Applied Systems Science for Sustainable Development\, Cambridge\, ON\, Canada. I hold a PhD in Bio-Nanotechnology from the University of Waterloo\, Canada. I develop smart\, sustainable\, and robust innovations at the intersection of AI and Bio-Nanotechnology\, for advancing the field of Biosensing for Healthcare and Environmental Monitoring. I am also a passionate Scientific Writer & Storyteller\, in addition to being the mother of 2 amazing kids!  \nMOLwise Biosciences uses AI-guided aptamer discovery to design specific\, stable nucleic acid binders for small molecules\, proteins\, cells\, and viruses. It partners with diagnostic companies\, healthcare providers\, agri-dairy producers\, and environmental agencies\, enabling faster\, more affordable molecular detection and integration with microfluidics\, biosensors\, and point-of-care devices for field-ready use.  \nShreya Rao | Planted Youth Opportunities \nShreya Rao is a student at the University of Waterloo majoring in Environment\, Resources\, and Sustainability with a Minor in Entrepreneurship\, driven by a passion for climate action and youth empowerment. She is the Founder of Planted Youth Opportunities\, a youth-led platform that connects young changemakers with social impact careers through skill-building resources\, gamified learning\, and strategic partnerships. Through her work in sustainability\, advocacy\, and leadership\, Shreya is committed to creating inclusive spaces where youth can lead meaningful change and help build a more equitable future.   \nPlanted is a youth-powered platform connecting 13–30 year olds with purpose-driven opportunities—jobs\, internships\, scholarships\, fellowships\, and volunteer roles—curated for transparency and equity. Operated as a Gen-Z-led non-profit\, it vets organizations and shares resources so young people can explore careers aligned with social and environmental impact in a community-centered way. \n  \nPedro Augusto Da Silva E Souza Miranda | Skopien Inc.  \nPedro Augusto da Silva e Souza Miranda is a student in The School of Public Health Systems in University of Waterloo. He completed his master in computer science in the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil\, 2019. He has over five years of experience working with the application software engineering concepts towards the healthcare domain to provide solutions and innovations. He has been involved in projects for multinational healthcare companies as well in projects for the biggest private hospital company in Brazil.  \nSkopien provides a platform that pulls data from multiple bedside monitors and brings it together in a single dashboard for real-time bed management. Data is stored securely and available for staff to review anytime\, helping hospital teams see patient status at a glance and coordinate care across units. 
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/global-impact-creator-showcase-2026/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GIC-Showcase_March-2026_Website-Image.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260305T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260305T113000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20260206T182418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T144030Z
UID:10000013-1772703000-1772710200@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:International Women’s Day: AC:Incubate+ & DGBS Showcase
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the growth\, resilience\, and bold thinking of founders graduating from the AC:Incubate+ and Disrupting Gender Bias in Startups (DGBS) programs at our upcoming showcase. \nOver the past six months\, early-stage founders have transformed ambitious ideas into real ventures\, building traction\, sharpening their strategies\, and stepping into leadership with clarity and confidence. This showcase marks the culmination of that work and the next chapter for each company. \nThe AC:Incubate+ program is grounded in the belief that strong companies are built through intentional\, high-touch support. Through tailored mentorship\, milestone-based guidance\, and specialized training\, founders receive what they need to validate ideas\, build momentum\, and prepare for long-term growth. The result is not only stronger ventures\, but a more resilient and capable innovation ecosystem. \nThe Disrupting Gender Bias in Startups (DGBS) program addresses the systemic barriers that continue to shape who gets access\, visibility\, and opportunity in entrepreneurship. By centering the lived experiences of women and gender-diverse founders\, the program creates space for norm deconstruction\, collective visioning\, and leadership development\, equipping participants to build ventures that challenge the status quo and contribute to a more equitable economy. \nThis year’s showcase takes place alongside International Women’s Day\, offering a timely moment to reflect on how equity\, access\, and shared responsibility show up in practice. The theme\, Give to Gain\, mirrors what we see across both programs: when time\, knowledge\, and opportunity are invested intentionally\, founders—and the ecosystem around them—move further\, faster. \nWhat to Expect\n\nFounder stories that highlight growth\, challenge\, and key inflection points\nInsights into how targeted support shaped each venture’s journey\nA look at what’s next for graduating companies\nA celebration of inclusive innovation\, leadership\, and collective progress\n\nAgenda\n\n9:30 am  | Doors open\n9:45 pm  | Opening Remarks\n9:55 am – 10:15 am | Panel discussion of founders from the AC:Incubate+ & DGBS program featuring Emily Tell\, Shreyonshi Bharat\, Yvonne Ip\, and Elaine Liu\n10:15 am – 10:35 am | DGBS Impact with Anna Jones\, DGBS Program Manager\n10:35 am – 10:50 AM |  To Give to Gain Workshop featuring Christianna Chow\n10:50 am – 11:30 am | Networking & Showcase floor\n\nSpeakers\n  \n \nChristianna Chow\nChristianna Chow is the Co-Founder of Octopodi Technologies and a passionate educator\, mentor\, and startup leader focused on making the future of tech learning more human\, equitable\, and meaningful. She is graduating from AC:Incubate+\, Accelerator Centre’s flagship program supporting high-potential founders as they scale their ventures. \nAt Octopodi Technologies\, Christianna is on a mission to transform how coding is taught and learned in academic institutions. Built by educators for educators\, Octopodi combines automated code analysis with instructor expertise to help professors deliver more value-driven feedback\, track student competency development\, and significantly reduce the time spent grading. By shifting the focus from simply whether code “works” to how students think\, problem-solve\, and grow\, Octopodi helps instructors teach more—and helps students learn with greater confidence. \nChristianna’s leadership is grounded in human-centered technology\, empowerment through ownership\, and purpose-driven impact. Beyond building Octopodi\, she has mentored students and founders through programs like BETS\, teaching and venture coaching\, and continues to champion learning environments where mistakes are welcomed\, diverse voices are elevated\, and emerging talent is trusted to take on real responsibility. \n  \n  \n \nEmily Tell\nEmily Tell is the Owner and CEO of IdeaTilt\, a company that helps organizations thrive through clear\, practical approaches to AI\, cybersecurity\, and modern ways of working. With more than 20 years of experience across digital strategy\, project and program management\, people change management\, cybersecurity awareness\, and security framework alignment\, Emily specializes in helping businesses and teams adapt to disruptive technology change with simple\, proven techniques. \nEmily has led global technology and transformation initiatives across enterprise\, SMB\, and startup environments—supporting teams in more than 20 countries and multiple languages. Her work has driven major adoption and engagement outcomes\, including an award-winning learning initiative recognized as the Winner of the LinkedIn Talent Award for Learning (Companies over 10K employees) in 2022\, as well as large-scale increases in platform adoption\, communications engagement\, and operational efficiency. \nAt IdeaTilt\, Emily and her team focus on moving organizations from complex to simple—building AI-powered procedures\, human-in-the-loop workflows\, and sustainable governance models that reduce risk while increasing capability. Her work is grounded in a belief that AI and security should feel achievable without hype\, jargon\, or risky shortcuts—and that the best transformation happens when people feel informed\, empowered\, and confident. \n  \n  \n \nShreyonshi Bharat\nShreyonshi Bharat is the Founder and CEO of Saaga Events\, a B2B SaaS company reimagining how professional networking works at in-person and virtual events. Drawing on her background as an event planner\, Shreyonshi is building the next generation of AI-powered software designed to fix the broken systems event teams rely on—addressing challenges like inefficient networking\, poor data capture\, and the lack of measurable ROI for organizers and attendees. \nAt Saaga Events\, Shreyonshi leads the development of a smart\, data-driven platform that streamlines networking and lead qualification through intentional matching\, real-time insights\, and inclusive design. The technology reduces bias and fragmentation while helping event organizers\, conference hosts\, and corporate teams maximize engagement\, improve attendee experience\, and clearly demonstrate value to stakeholders. \nAs a South Asian woman founder with lived experience navigating exclusion in professional spaces\, Shreyonshi brings a deep commitment to equity and inclusion into both the product and the company’s mission. She is currently in active research mode\, engaging directly with event planners across corporate\, academic\, and organizational settings to ensure Saaga is built on real workflows\, real constraints\, and real-world pressure—earning trust when it matters most. \n  \n  \n \nYvonne Ip\nYvonne Ip is the Founding Director of Arise Architects Co-operative\, Canada’s first architectural practice operating as a worker-owned co-operative. With more than two decades of experience in architectural practice\, Ivonne has worked across a wide range of project types and is well-versed in every phase of the design and delivery process. She brings deep expertise in leading government-funded and regulated projects\, with a strong track record of guiding complex and innovative developments through planning approvals\, including the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). \nBeyond her professional practice\, Ivonne is also an accomplished artist whose work has been exhibited across Canada and the United States and is held in both public and private collections. She is deeply engaged in the cultural and societal impact of architecture through community initiatives such as the City of Kitchener Public Art Working Group\, Queen’s Green Community Garden\, and the Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable. Ivonne has also held leadership roles within organizations\, including the Trillium Waldorf School and the Grand Valley Society of Architects (GVSA)\, where she currently serves as Continuing Education Coordinator. \nA graduate of the Disrupting Gender Bias in Startups (DGBS) Program\, Ivonne is passionate about reimagining how firms can operate—building a collaborative\, project-centric culture that prioritizes community\, care\, and meaningful design. \n  \n  \n \nElaine Liu\nElaine Liu is the Chief Executive Officer of Infinity9 Cycle Corp\, a Toronto-based company transforming agricultural waste into fully biodegradable promotional products and packaging. Through innovative\, PLA-based materials and ongoing R&D\, Infinity9 Cycle helps businesses replace plastic with affordable\, high-quality sustainable alternatives—ranging from biodegradable coffee mugs and tableware to reusable bags and food film that naturally decomposes in under six months. \nElaine is also a proud participant in the Disrupting Gender Bias in Startups (DGBS) Program\, where she has championed inclusive leadership and gender equity in entrepreneurship. As she shares\, “To me\, feminism means supporting equality and fairness between all genders… It’s about ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities\, rights\, and respect\, regardless of gender.” Her work reflects a commitment to building a healthier planet—and a more equitable startup ecosystem—through innovation\, community partnerships\, and purpose-driven leadership. \n  \n \nPaniz Moayeri\nPaniz is a licensed architect and a director at Arise Architects Co-operative\, Canada’s first architectural worker-cooperative. With a career bridging practice\, research\, and advocacy\, her work focuses on the social\, ethical\, and cultural dimensions of built spaces and design. Paniz has nearly a decade of professional experience across offices in Toronto\, Dubai\, Victoria\, New York\, and Kitchener\, working on a wide range of building types\, delivery models\, and design stages. Skilled in community consultation and multi-stakeholder engagement\, Paniz is a strong advocate for participatory\, community-led design. \nPaniz’s award-winning graduate thesis\, Your Passport Doesn’t Work Here\, explored the intersection of architecture\, identity\, and Iranian queer heritage. Her writing appears in Canadian Architect\, JSSAC\, and The Signs That Define Toronto. She has taught design studio at Laurentian University\, assisted courses at Waterloo Architecture\, and served as a guest lecturer and critic at TMU and Carleton. \nAs a co-founder of Treaty Lands\, Global Stories\, Paniz has advocated for recognizing Canada’s Indigenous heritage and broadening architectural education beyond Western paradigms since 2016. She is a former Advisory Board Member to Waterloo Architecture’s Racial Equity and Environmental Justice Task Force\, and an active member of the Architecture Lobby\, where she advocates for equity and improved working conditions in the profession. \n  \n  \nMilo Aguera\nMilo Aguera brings 20+ years of software development and technology leadership across global companies including Nestlé\, Westwing\, and TIM Telecom. He founded Milo Tech Forecast\, a full-stack boutique tech agency bringing together passionate doers to build creative solutions to complex challenges. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n \nSaba Oji\nNamed one of Canada’s Top 100 AI Startups\, Saba’s company HolisticMindAI develops therapist-guided AI tools to support mental health providers through ethical\, human-first innovation. As a researcher and EDI advocate\, she brings a nuanced and compassionate view on responsible AI development—emphasizing safety\, equity\, and community-informed design. Her lens blends technical rigor with lived experience and a commitment to ethical implementation.
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/international-womens-day-acincubate-dgbs-showcase/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/UPDATED-Incubate-Showcase_March-2026_Website-Cover-Image-5.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260303T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260303T170000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20260204T183833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260213T135642Z
UID:10000012-1772550000-1772557200@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:Dual-Use Demystified: Could Your Tech Serve Both Commercial and Defence Markets?
DESCRIPTION:Understanding dual-use\, defence opportunities\, and procurement basics  \nCanada is increasing investment in technologies that serve both commercial and defence and security applications. If you’re building in AI\, cybersecurity\, sensing\, geospatial\, robotics\, advanced materials\, simulation\, or critical infrastructure software\, your product may already qualify as dual-use — even if you’ve never considered defence markets before.  \nJoin us for a practical\, founder-friendly session designed to help you:  \n\nIdentify credible defence and security use cases for your technology \n\n\nUnderstand the technical\, data\, and capability characteristics that typically trigger dual-use considerations \n\n\nLearn what does — and does not — change when engaging with defence-adjacent customers \n\n\nGain a clearer picture of how defence procurement works and where startups can realistically engage \n\nWho should attend: Founders\, product leaders\, CTOs\, and business development leads.   \nSpeaker: Shelby Eyre  \n \nShelby Eyre is an Economic Policy and Planning Analyst with FedDev Ontario’s Defence Services Team. She works closely with small and medium-sized firms and post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario\, helping them understand opportunities within Canada’s defence ecosystem and connect with global defence primes. With prior experience at Innovation Canada within the Department of Innovation\, Science\, and Economic Development\, Shelby brings a strong perspective on emerging technologies and their defence applications. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nSpeaker: Karim Sallaudin Karim \n \nDr. Karim Sallaudin Karim is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo and a leader in translating advanced research into real-world\, dual-use technologies. Most recently\, he served as Associate Vice President of Partnerships\, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship\, where he focused on industry collaboration and technology transfer. He is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of KA Imaging\, which develops novel spectral and phase-contrast X-ray imaging systems used across medical\, industrial\, and defense/security applications. Technologies originating from Dr. Karim’s research are deployed globally\, including ultrasonic fingerprint sensor components now used in over 200 million mobile devices. He is a Fellow of both the Engineering Institute of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.  \n  \nSpeaker: Cameron Waite \n \nCameron Waite is the Founder and CEO of Real Life Robotics (RLR)\, a Waterloo-based company delivering real-world automation solutions across commercial\, municipal\, and defense sectors. With over 15 years of experience in robotics and automation\, he has led deployments spanning last-mile delivery\, IoT-integrated automation\, and secure\, scalable orchestration of autonomous systems through RLR’s flagship platform\, PASSENGER. \nPrior to founding RLR\, Cameron held senior roles at Canadian robotics leaders Avidbots and Aeryon Labs\, where he worked directly with clients including the U.S. military\, Canadian law enforcement agencies such as the OPP and RCMP\, and a broad network of government and defense contractors to deploy tactical robotics for ISR\, public safety\, and critical infrastructure support. \nCameron serves on the Canadian Robotics Council’s Outdoor Robotics Advisory Group\, contributes to federal smart mobility initiatives\, and is active in Canada’s dual-use innovation ecosystem\, working closely with organizations such as OCI\, IRAP\, CENGN\, and the Waterloo Dual-Use Consortium. He is a vocal advocate for sovereign robotics infrastructure and frequently collaborates with global partners on security-conscious automation strategies for domestic and allied markets. \nModerator: Ruth Casselman \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nRuth Casselman is the CEO for the Accelerator Centre\, and the Co-Chair for the Waterloo Dual-Use Technology Consortium (dualusetech.ca). Ruth’s leadership is rooted in her own entrepreneurial experience and her deep understanding of the challenges founders face in scaling technology ventures. Ruth was the founding Chief Operating Officer at Alert Labs – an IoT technology manufacturing and data analytics company specializing in reducing wasted water and CO2 emissions in commercial properties. She stewarded Alert Labs through a successful acquisition by a Fortune 500 organization\, giving her first-hand experience in fundraising\, scaling\, and navigating complex exits. \nAt the Accelerator Centre\, Ruth champions programs that accelerate innovation across sectors\, including the Aerospace Accelerator\, a collaboration with the Region of Waterloo\, that supports aerospace and aviation startups by providing tailored programming and industry connections. \nBefore Alert Labs\, Ruth held senior technical\, communications\, and crisis leadership roles at BlackBerry\, including serving as public relations lead for BlackBerry Government and Enterprise Security. In this capacity\, she worked closely with Fortune 500 corporations\, global enterprises\, and government agencies worldwide\, supporting secure communications\, cybersecurity positioning\, and mission-critical technology. She also led crisis management for BlackBerry’s Network Operations Centers globally\, operating at the intersection of secure infrastructure\, real-time operations\, and high-stakes stakeholder communication. This experience gave her deep exposure to the operational\, regulatory\, and reputational complexities of enterprise security and government technology environments.
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/dual-use-demystified-could-your-tech-serve-both-commercial-and-defense-markets/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/UPDATED-Dualuse-Workshop_March-20256_Website-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260219T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260219T160000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20260123T210030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T210030Z
UID:10000010-1771506000-1771516800@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:AC Studio Showcase
DESCRIPTION:The AC:Studio Showcase is an annual\, signature\, trade show style event hosted by the Accelerator Centre. \nThe showcase brings together founders\, investors\, researchers\, government leaders\, industry experts\, and the broader innovation community. \nAttendees will have the opportunity to: \n\nMeet the next generation of successful Canadian technology companies\nConnect with like-minded entrepreneurs\, researchers\, and experts exploring emerging technology and impact-driven innovation\nCelebrate the strength and momentum of the local and regional innovation economy\n\nThe AC:Studio Showcase is a free\, public community event. All are welcome. \nProgram background: \nThe AC:Studio program supports high-potential startup founders\, whether they are building their first company\, scaling an early-stage venture\, or seeking their next startup opportunity. The program blends the Accelerator Centre’s proven incubation model with a globally recognized venture studio approach to help founders launch and scale high-impact businesses. \nAC:Studio delivers: \n\nUp to $100\,000 in non-repayable seed funding for startups and small businesses\nOne-to-one mentorship from the AC in-house team and specialist mentors\nTactical support in product development\, marketing\, UI\, and UX through partnerships with SnapPea and Conestoga College’s Gig Lab\nIn-kind professional services from industry leaders including\n\nWith $10 million in funding support from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario\, AC:Studio combines the best of the Accelerator Centre’s flagship AC:Incubate program with a venture studio model to accelerate the creation of scalable\, impact-driven Canadian companies.
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/ac-studio-showcase/
LOCATION:Federation Hall – University of Waterloo\, 200 University Ave W\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 3G1\, Canada
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251210T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251210T140000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20251210T160258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T222445Z
UID:10000006-1765368000-1765375200@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:AC Community Holiday Potluck
DESCRIPTION:This potluck is an opportunity for founders\, mentors\, staff\, and partners to gather outside of the day-to-day hustle\, share a favourite dish\, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon together. Whether you bring a treasured family recipe or something simple and store-bought\, we welcome all contributions! Expect delicious food\, lively conversations\, and a cozy holiday atmosphere that reflects the spirit of community at AC. We’ll also have a space to showcase cultural dishes and traditions—because our diverse community is what makes the celebration special. \nBring:\n\nA dish to share (appetizer\, main\, side\, or dessert)\nIngredient list (helpful for allergies)\nYour holiday spirit\n\nWe’ll provide:\n\nPlates\, cutlery\, beverages\nFestive décor and background music\nA welcoming space to connect and unwind\n\nLet’s celebrate the season together and close out the year with warmth\, gratitude\, and great company!
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/ac-community-holiday-potluck/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-870500198-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251125T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251125T120000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20251125T223338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T223400Z
UID:10000007-1764064800-1764072000@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:Expert Founder Workshop: From Start to Scale up with MNP
DESCRIPTION:Session Highlights: \n\nSR&ED and Early-Stage Financing: Learn how to leverage government programs like the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive to fuel your innovation.\n\n\nInternational Expansion – Entering the U.S. or other international markets: Is your company ready to go global? Gain practical advice on setting up an entity abroad\, timing your expansion\, and hiring talent across borders.\n\n\nCorporate Finance and Fundraising Readiness: Prepare your business to attract the right investors. Understand what makes your company investment-ready\, how to identify and approach ideal investment partners\, and how to negotiate terms that set you up for long-term success.\n\nWho should attend: Founders\, CEOs\, and leaders of high-growth start-ups preparing to scale or raise their next round of funding. \nWhy attend: Walk away with actionable tools and expert insights to accelerate your company’s growth\, strengthen your financial strategy\, and confidently enter new markets.
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/expert-founder-workshop-from-start-to-scale-up-with-mnp/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EFW_Nov-2025_AC-Screens.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251113T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251113T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20251113T223513Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T223841Z
UID:10000008-1763038800-1763046000@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:Accelerator Centre Open House: Meet the Mentors
DESCRIPTION:What’s in it for you? \n\nSpeed Mentorship: Engage in quick-fire mentorship sessions\, gaining rapid insights from multiple experts.\nNetworking Reception: Connect with founders\, mentors\, and ecosystem leaders over refreshments and meaningful conversations.\n\nWho should attend? \n\nEarly-stage founders looking for strategic advice and expert insights.\nEntrepreneurs seeking mentors to help them navigate fundraising\, growth\, and scaling.\nProfessionals considering mentorship opportunities within the startup ecosystem.\n\nCome ready with questions\, challenges\, and an open mind—because one great conversation could change the course of your startup journey.
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/accelerator-centre-open-house-meet-the-mentors/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251029T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251029T163000
DTSTAMP:20260414T220755
CREATED:20251029T214023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T224630Z
UID:10000009-1761750000-1761755400@www.acceleratorcentre.com
SUMMARY:AC: Incubate Graduation — Explore. Build. Grow. Scale. Celebrate
DESCRIPTION:This milestone event marks the culmination of a transformative\, four-phase program designed to guide founders from discovery to global scale. Over the past year\, these entrepreneurs have explored bold ideas\, built strong business foundations\, grown their customer and investor networks\, and scaled their ventures to new heights. \nAt the Accelerator Centre\, we believe every startup’s journey is unique — but no founder should go it alone. This celebration honours the resilience\, innovation\, and community that define the AC ecosystem and showcases the impact of our award-winning incubation programming. \nJoin us in recognizing these exceptional founders as they take the next step in their entrepreneurial journeys — continuing to grow\, scale\, and make their mark on the world.
URL:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/event-page/ac-incubate-graduation-explore-build-grow-scale-celebrate/
LOCATION:Accelerator Centre HQ\, 295 Hagey Blvd\, Waterloo\, Ontario\, N2L 6R5\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AC-Grad_Oct-2025_LI_2.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR