Canadian and Ukrainian Founders with Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Solutions Selected for the Canada Ukraine Innovation Challenge (CUSIC)

November 14, 2023

Ontario & Ukraine, November 14 — Today, the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), and Communitech announced a selection of ten exceptional companies participating in the Canada Ukraine Innovation Challenge (CUSIC) Solutions Showcase. These companies, consisting of five from Canada and five from Ukraine, have demonstrated outstanding innovation in the field of cybersecurity.

Established earlier this year, CUSIC invited innovators from Canada and Ukraine to participate in a bilateral competition to propose innovative solutions that strengthen the technological expertise of both countries, with the goal of commercialization through piloting and procurement opportunities. 

The selected Canadian companies are as follows:
Metropolitan AI Inc.: A pioneering Canadian technology company at the forefront of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Specializing in creating cutting-edge solutions for urban development and smart cities, Metropolitan AI leverages the power of AI to enhance city planning, optimize resources, and improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas. Their innovative technologies are shaping the future of sustainable and efficient urban environments.

myLaminin Corp.: myLaminin is a forward-thinking Canadian company dedicated to the practical application of blockchain and web3 technologies in national security settings. myLaminin is committed to addressing data privacy and data sovereignty concerns in complex business, government, and global ecosystems or those impacted by societal disruption. Their cloud-based verifiable credentials and digital wallet platform can run multiple nodes across several regions to deliver new capabilities and resilience for all network participants to support new ‘ecosystem business models’.

Palitronica Inc.: A Canadian technology company that specializes in creating innovative solutions for sustainable energy management and conservation. With a focus on developing smart and eco-friendly technologies, Palitronica is at the forefront of the green energy revolution. Their groundbreaking solutions empower businesses and individuals to efficiently monitor and optimize their energy consumption, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.

Quantropi Inc.: A Canadian technology company pioneering the field of quantum-safe cybersecurity. Committed to ensuring the security of digital communications in an era of advancing quantum computing, Quantropi develops cutting-edge solutions that protect sensitive data and privacy. With their quantum-resistant encryption technologies, they are on a mission to safeguard the digital world from emerging cyber threats, making the future of data security more robust and resilient.

VanWyn Inc.: A Canadian company leading the way in the development of innovative, environmentally responsible materials. With a focus on sustainability and eco-conscious solutions, VanWyn specializes in creating advanced materials that have a reduced environmental footprint while maintaining superior performance. Their groundbreaking technologies are driving positive change across various industries, promoting a greener and more sustainable future.

The selected Ukrainian companies are as follows:
Hideez Development LLC.: A forward-thinking Ukrainian technology company dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity and data protection. With a focus on innovative solutions for secure access and authentication, Hideez offers a range of cutting-edge products designed to safeguard digital identities and sensitive information. Their advanced technologies are poised to revolutionize the way individuals and organizations secure their data in an increasingly interconnected world.

LetsData Inc.: A dynamic Ukrainian technology company specializing in advanced data management and analytics solutions. Committed to helping businesses harness the power of their data, LetsData offers innovative tools and services to make data-driven decisions more accessible and impactful. Their cutting-edge technologies are empowering organizations to unlock valuable insights and drive success in the digital age.

Mantis Analytics: A leading Ukrainian company in the field of advanced analytics and data-driven insights. With a focus on helping businesses extract valuable information from their data, Mantis Analytics provides innovative solutions that enhance decision-making and drive business growth. Their cutting-edge analytics tools and expertise empower organizations to stay competitive and thrive in a data-driven world.

Vizority: An innovative Ukrainian tech firm specializing in developing cutting-edge visual solutions. With a focus on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, Vizority creates immersive experiences for various industries, ranging from entertainment and gaming to education and healthcare. Their groundbreaking applications are shaping the future of immersive digital experiences and revolutionizing the way we interact with technology.

State Enterprise “Ukrpetszvyazok”: A Ukrainian government-owned entity with a focus on telecommunications and connectivity. While specific details may vary, it plays a role in communication infrastructure and services, potentially related to matters of national security and connectivity in Ukraine.

“These visionary founders and their companies have presented highly sought-after cybersecurity solutions designed to address the most pressing challenges in this critical sector. With their dedication to innovation and commitment to excellence, they have earned the opportunity to showcase their solutions on a global stage.”
–Claudia Krywiak, President & CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).

“Communitech is deeply impressed by the quality and innovation at the heart of each of the selected proposals. The Canada-Ukraine Security Innovation Challenge has accomplished exactly what we hoped it would – surfacing leading-edge cybersecurity solutions from our combined pool of extraordinary founders and giving them the support and opportunity to make our world a safer, more secure place.”
–Joel Semeniuk, Chief Strategy Officer, Communitech

The Canada-Ukraine Security Innovation Challenge has not only identified remarkable companies but also provided the opportunities needed for these innovators to contribute to a safer world and redefine the landscape of security technology. We are truly inspired by the outstanding solutions provided by the participants and looking forward to witnessing the positive impact these proposals will have on the global cybersecurity scene.”
–Pavlo Kartashov, Chief Executive Officer, Ukrainian Startup Fund

These exceptional companies will present their groundbreaking cybersecurity solutions on November 27^th to a diverse audience, including industry leaders, investors, and technology enthusiasts. Each of the selected companies will receive support from our community of partners, including mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to a network of national security stakeholders and potential customers.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians. As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled talent.
OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies. For more information: https://www.oc-innovation.ca

About Communitech
Established in 1997 in Waterloo Region, Communitech was built by tech founders who saw the need for a community of support to help ensure the future prosperity of Canada. Today, Communitech is Canada’s leading innovation hub, supporting a community of more than 1,200 founders by providing accelerated opportunities to access talent, capital and sales.

As Canada’s tech supercharger, Communitech helps founders start, grow and succeed by:

● Hiring and retaining the smartest, brightest and most experienced people

● Accessing growth financing at every stage

● Selling to the biggest customers at home and around the world

● Connecting the right people at the right time – peers who have been there before, coaches who can guide them through the difficult spots and partners from all over Canada

About Ukrainian Startup Fund
Ukrainian Startup Fund is the one-of-a-kind state institution that helps innovative projects and technology startups raise funds at the early stages and launch their projects. The fund is the driver of the startup ecosystem development, provides conditions for the growth of the sector, creates a positive investment image of the Ukrainian tech industry abroad, and represents Ukrainian innovative solutions around the world.

For Media Inquiries
Director, Communications, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca