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Markham, ON – ventureLAB is proud to announce the finalists of the 2025 HardTech Pitch Competition! This year, ten outstanding startups took the stage on Day 1 of HardTech, presented in partnership with York Region, to pitch their game-changing technologies live before a panel of expert judges. From these presentations, three finalists were selected to advance to the HardTech Pitch Gala on Day 2, where they’ll compete for $50,000 in cash prizes.
From cleantech to medtech and advanced manufacturing, these companies are redefining what’s possible in hardware and deeptech innovation across Canada.
Pitch Finalists
CredoSense
CredoSense develops portable, AI-powered leaf chambers that provide rapid crop health diagnostics in under one minute. By combining leaf, soil, and microclimate data, the platform delivers actionable irrigation, nutrient, and pest recommendations for agronomists and specialty growers through a Hardware-as-a-Service model.
DIA Labs Canada
Mississauga-based, DIA Labs Canada specializes in medical device R&D, developing a Class II microneedle-based device for continuous asthma monitoring. Their multidisciplinary team includes clinical trial experts, biomedical engineers, and regulatory specialists.
Digitho Technologies
Digitho Technologies provides high-volume semiconductor manufacturing solutions through its direct patterning technology, enabling the production of powerful, cost-effective AI chips at scale.
Expertiqa Technologies
Medtech innovator Expertiqa Technologies develops next-generation assistive devices to enhance communication and independence for people with disabilities, focusing on improving quality of life through technology-driven solutions.
Fibra Inc.
Ontario-based women’s health technology company Fibra Inc. develops smart underwear paired with an app to deliver personalized, non-invasive reproductive health insights. Using advanced textile-based sensors and data analytics, Fibra empowers women to understand fertility, pregnancy, menopause, and reproductive wellness, closing the data gap in women’s healthcare and shaping the future of preventive care.
Kiwi Charge
Robotics and AI startup Kiwi Charge is transforming EV charging for multi-tenant buildings. Their autonomous mobile charging robots operate overnight, replacing up to 30 traditional chargers at just 40% of the cost. Using AI-driven optimization, Kiwi Charge delivers reliable, hassle-free EV charging while reducing infrastructure requirements, and has pilots with major automakers, developers, and municipalities across North America.
PROVA Innovations Ltd.
Clinical-stage medtech company PROVA Innovations Ltd. 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.
Reefers Technologies Inc.
An early-stage clean-tech startup, Reefers Technologies Inc. develops sustainable energy solutions for the heavy-duty transportation sector. Their innovation improves fuel efficiency without adding vehicle weight, helping businesses reduce shipping costs while supporting sustainable practices.
Vrit Inc.
Toronto-based medtech company Vrit Inc. is advancing personalized wound care with its handheld in-situ bioprinter (INSITE™) and stem-cell-based bioink platform (SHIELD™). Designed to deliver autograft-free skin regeneration at the point of care, Vrit’s technologies reduce reliance on donor skin and address critical gaps in trauma, burn, and defence medicine. Their long-term vision is to pioneer organ-replacement therapy for skin.
Wireless Park N Charges
A Canadian cleantech company with locations in Ontario and British Columbia, Wireless PNC is developing a next-generation wireless charging system for electric vehicles. Their patent-pending technology enables EVs to charge automatically when parked over a ground-embedded pad, eliminating cables and plugs. Using AI for optimal alignment and safety, the solution provides fast, efficient, and universal charging for various battery types and vehicle sizes.
2025 HardTech Gala Winners
After a dynamic and highly competitive first day of pitches, three standout startups were selected to move forward into the HardTech Gala: Fibra Inc., Kiwi Charge, and PROVA Innovations Ltd. These companies captured the judges’ attention with their cutting-edge technologies and bold visions for the future of hardware and deep tech in Canada.
At the Gala, each finalist took the stage once more to showcase how their innovations could create meaningful, real-world impact. After thoughtful deliberation, the judges announced the winners as follows:
First Place: Kiwi Charge
🏅 Prize: $30,000
Kiwi Charge took home the top prize for its autonomous mobile charging robots. By transforming EV infrastructure for multi-tenant buildings with scalable, AI-driven solutions, Kiwi Charge is making sustainable urban electrification more accessible and cost-effective across North America.
Second Place: PROVA Innovations Ltd.
🥈 Prize: $20,000
PROVA Innovations Ltd. earned second place with its WithinStride® smart insole technology. Providing real-time gait analysis and personalized home-based rehabilitation, the solution empowers patients with mobility challenges while giving clinicians valuable remote monitoring tools.
Congratulations to Kiwi Charge and PROVA Innovations Ltd., and to all three Gala finalists, including Fibra Inc.
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 6,800 jobs and raise more than $420 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada's knowledge-based economy.
About York Region
York Region is home to one of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse innovation ecosystems. As the second-largest tech hub in Canada and a leader in Agri-Food and Cleantech industries, York Region continues to foster an inclusive community that supports entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers from all backgrounds.
