{"id":5719,"date":"2025-10-20T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inventiontoinnovation.ca\/?p=5719"},"modified":"2025-10-20T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T09:00:00","slug":"innovation-week-celebrates-10-years-of-science-based-entrepreneurship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inventiontoinnovation.ca\/fr\/innovation-week-celebrates-10-years-of-science-based-entrepreneurship\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Week celebrates 10 years of science-based entrepreneurship"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“The i2I Program transformed my journey from a surgeon with an idea into the founder of Rise Medical Innovations, equipped with a clear business strategy and the confidence to speak the language of entrepreneurship,\u201d said competition winner Dr. Shubha De. \u201cBalancing life as a parent, PhD student and full-time clinician, I found the program\u2019s mentorship, community and curriculum to be a powerful catalyst\u2014proving that with the right support, innovation truly is within reach.<\/em>” — Dr. Shubha De, 2026 i2I Innovation Pitch Winner<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Simon Fraser University hosted its inaugural Innovation Week celebrating the innovators, researchers and students creating social and economic impact at SFU and with collaborators across Canada through the National Invention to Innovation (i2I) Network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Innovation Week kicked off with the annual i2I Innovation Pitch event at SFU\u2019s Beedie School of Business which celebrated its 10th year of delivering the Invention to Innovation<\/a> (i2I) Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology Commercialization (GCSTC) program to scientists seeking to mobilize their research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 8, five finalists from the national graduating cohort\u2014spanning P.E.I. to B.C.\u2014were invited to pitch their science innovations to a panel of expert judges, competing for financial awards and invaluable mentorship opportunities. National i2I academic director Dr. Sarah Lubik hosted the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Shubha De won first place and a cash prize of $5,000 for Rise Medical Innovations which is developing a new surgical endoscope, to help move procedures out of the operating room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe i2I Program transformed my journey from a surgeon with an idea into the founder of Rise Medical Innovations, equipped with a clear business strategy and the confidence to speak the language of entrepreneurship,\u201d said competition winner Dr. Shubha De. \u201cBalancing life as a parent, PhD student and full-time clinician, I found the program\u2019s mentorship, community and curriculum to be a powerful catalyst\u2014proving that with the right support, innovation truly is within reach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second place was awarded to Dr. Stacey Goldberg, of PhyCo Technologies, who won a cash prize of $2,500. PhyCo is developing a bio-based plastic alternative from seaweed that is earth-digestible and non-toxic in partnership with Indigenous Nations.

2025 Finalists<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Shubha De <\/a><\/strong>
<\/strong><\/a>Rise Medical Innovations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shubha De grew up in Halifax and is currently a surgeon and associate professor at the University of Alberta. Academically, Shubha focuses on outcomes research and education, establishing a new endourology fellowship, and national hands-on surgical training course residents across Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. <\/strong>Kalsha De Silva
<\/strong><\/a>BioPSci Therapeutics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kalsha De Silva is a biomedical science researcher at the University of Waterloo with expertise in diabetes, murine models of disease, nutrition and metabolism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BioPSci Therapeutics is developing a new way to treat obesity using a unique method that increases levels of GLP-1, a hormone that helps control appetite and blood sugar. Their approach involves blocking the effects of a specific natural substance in the body, which could lead to a new kind of weight-loss medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. <\/strong>Stacey Goldberg
<\/strong><\/a>PhyCo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stacey Goldberg holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Prince Edward Island and an M.Sc. in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. A scientist-turned-entrepreneur, Stacey is passionate about turning science into solutions, developing innovative biomaterials to combat plastic pollution, cut carbon emissions and build a sustainable circular economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Mersede Mokri
<\/strong><\/a>MyoScan AI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mersede Mokri is a biomedical engineer and data scientist specializing in medical imaging and artificial intelligence. She completed her PhD in biomedical engineering at the Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al, where her research focused on developing AI-driven methods to accelerate and enhance dynamic cardiac PET imaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MyoScan AI, is a venture aimed at translating research into practical solutions that improve patient care, reduce scan times, and optimize hospital workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Subash Rajasekar
<\/strong><\/a>Farade Research Corp.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subash Rajasekar is a clean energy innovator with 9+ years of experience advancing hydrogen and CO\u2082 utilization technologies. Collaborating across leading labs, industry, and academia, he has delivered patents, publications, and scalable solutions. His mission: transform scientific breakthroughs into practical innovations that address the world\u2019s toughest climate and energy challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From waste CO\u2082 to clean fuel, Farade Research Corp. is redefining a climate burden as a sustainable energy solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finalists pitched their ideas to leaders in Canada\u2019s science innovation ecosystems. This year\u2019s panel of judges included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n