Starting and growing a business is no small feat, which is why Innovate Calgary brought together the entrepreneurial community for a special night of reflection and celebration. On December 10, the Cohort Year-End Celebration took place at the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, honouring the incredible achievements of startup founders and innovators who participated in our programs throughout the year.
For founders, every step of the journey is a milestone–whether it’s raising funds, testing prototypes, pivoting strategies, filing patents, or building invaluable networks. The celebration provided a chance to take a step back, reflect on these accomplishments, and connect with peers, advisors, and supporters who’ve walked the path alongside them.
The event was well-attended by leaders and collaborators from Innovate Calgary, Alberta Innovates, and the University of Calgary‘s Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, along with startup founders, entrepreneurs, and advisors. Marian Danko, Senior Venture Manager at Innovate Calgary, captured the evening’s spirit by stating:
“It takes a village to raise a startup.”
Marian and co-host Joanne Nowak, senior innovation manager, expressed gratitude to the founders for their commitment to their ventures and to advancing innovation in Alberta.
The evening featured inspiring presentations from founders across several programs, including Evolve to Innovate (e2i), Innovation Catalyst Grant (ICG), Research to Social Innovation Incubator (R2SI), and the Life Sciences Fellowship. These innovators shared updates on their progress, thanked the teams and advisors who supported them, and reflected on the value of connecting with other founders in the ecosystem.
As Mohammad Abbaspour, Co-Founder of MLCan, shared:
“Thanks to Innovate Calgary and the Hunter Hub, we’ve been able to expand our team. The support and insights from other life sciences cohorts have been invaluable.”
Similarly, Akpeko Gasanoo, CEO of PrintedSUN Inc., echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the Life Sciences Fellowship provided peer support that has been crucial for his journey.
The evening’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the inspiring presentations from our founders:
– Dion Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder, Possibility Neurotechnologies
– Akpeko Gasonoo, CEO and Co-Founder, PrintedSUN Inc.
– Sarah Harper, CEO, My Fertility Labs
– Danny Zahynacz, Founder, RAD Medical Technologies Inc.
– Maryam Omidvar, CEO and Co-Founder, Ethox Energy Ltd.
– Erin Creegan-Dougherty, CEO and Founder, Maskwa Backcountry Foods
– Mohammad Abbaspour, Co-Founder, MLCan
– Ali Pormohammad, CEO and Co-Founder, MHCombiotic (unable to attend due to travel)
To all our founders, partners, and attendees, thank you for making the Cohort Year-End Celebration a night to remember. Your hard work and dedication inspire us, and we’re thrilled to see what the future holds for you and your ventures.
Here’s to another incredible year of innovation in 2025!