British Columbia has long been one of North America’s most notable regions for tech and innovation. From clean tech advancements that are changing the resource sector to cutting-edge software that’s improving how we navigate our lives, there’s a lot of exciting and impactful work emerging out of our province. Even more exciting, so much of that work is being done and led by women.
While it’s true that women continue to be underrepresented across the tech sector, progress is being made. According to TAP Network’s 2022 Diversity in Tech Dashboard, women now make up over 35% of Canada’s tech workforce – a four per cent increase from 2020 - but there’s still more work to be done.
That’s why this International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to highlight six of those women who are making their mark here in British Columbia and across industries worldwide and inspiring the next generation of women in STEAM.
Grace Quan
President & CEO, Hydrogen in Motion Inc. (H2M)
Innovate BC Support Accessed: ScaleUp, Innovator Skills Initiative
Where do you work and what is your role?
Hydrogen In Motion Inc. (H2M), where I am President & CEO.
What are you working on / what problem are you solving right now?
H2M has developed an innovative nanomaterial that can store hydrogen at high density and at low pressure. We’re currently scaling up production to bring our solid state hydrogen tanks to market.
What are you excited about in BC tech and innovation now (or tech in general)?
Climate change is affecting BC and the world, and the world is turning to cleantech and innovation with lots of focus on hydrogen in particular. It is an exciting time to be an innovator and leader in the industry.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by the belief that individuals can make a massive difference in the world. From Ghandi to Mother Theresa, it is the power of the visionary that changes the world.
What advice would you give yourself when you were first getting into the industry?
Try everything and don’t give up. Determination and grit are the biggest attributes for success.
Dr. Karolina Valente
Co-Founder, CEO and CSO, VoxCell BioInnovation
Innovate BC Support Accessed: Innovator Skills Initiative, Venture Acceleration Program, Digital Skills for Youth, New Ventures BC Competition presented by Innovate BC
Where do you work and what is your role?
I am the Co-founder, CEO and CSO at VoxCell BioInnovation, and I am also an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Victoria in the departments of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering.
What are you working on / what problem are you solving right now?
At VoxCell, the problem we are addressing is the expensive and lengthy process of drug development for pharmaceutical companies. We see that greater than 95% of drugs that begin the development process fail to get to the market at a huge expense to pharmaceutical companies. This high failure rate is largely due to how these drugs are tested in the laboratory which shows very poor translation to human clinical data. This shows a need in the preclinical drug development pipeline that can act as a predictive tool, increasing the chances of success of clinical trials which subsequently accelerates the development of life-saving therapies getting to patients who need them.
This problem is exactly what VoxCell is addressing. We are working on developing human-like vascularized tissue models. Our tissue models mimic the chemical and mechanical properties of a tumor in the body and can be thought of as 3D bioprinting an artificial biopsy sample. These tissue models allow for anti-cancer drugs to be injected directly into our artificially generated vasculature and examine how that drug interacts with a more human-like environment. The idea is to identify drug candidates that should not move forward to animal models and human clinical trials earlier in the development process to help companies 'fail early and fail fast'.
Who or what inspires you?
I would say I have 3 main sources of inspiration. First and foremost, my mother, having watched her battle so hard against breast cancer when I was young, fueled my drive to become a scientist and eventually start VoxCell where we can address the issues in cancer treatment. Second, are all the other amazing women I see building companies in the tech sector, where we have been underrepresented for too long. Finally, the team I work with every day: they show up and work so hard to move VoxCell forward and that keeps me working hard every day.
What advice would you give yourself when you were first getting into the industry?
The biggest piece of advice would be to trust your gut feelings. There is no single way to build a company and a lot of people will have opinions on what you are trying to accomplish, but you have to trust yourself.
Mehrsa Raeiszadeh
Co-Founder & COO, MintList Technologies Inc.
Innovate BC Support Accessed: New Ventures BC Competition presented by Innovate BC
Where do you work and what is your role?
I am the Co-Founder and COO of MintList Technologies Inc.
What are you working on / what problem are you solving right now?
MintList is an award-winning, fast growing AI-powered online automotive platform. Our goal is to change the way cars are bought and sold by empowering people with data to make better decisions.
What are you excited about in BC tech and innovation now (or tech in general)?
Tech's ability to leave the planet better than we found it and provide solutions to make our lives better.
I believe that tech has no limitation, it's a powerful way for us to build innovative solutions. Not only that, it has massive potential for actions we need to take for course correction.
Who or what inspires you?
My parents. They’ve inspired me to develop my work ethic based on integrity, passion, perseverance and kindness.
What advice would you give yourself when you were first getting into the industry?
A piece of advice I’d give myself before I start my career would be to discover my unique abilities and focus on them rather than focusing on improving weaknesses.
Maryam Sadeghi
CEO & Co-Founder, MetaOptima Technology Inc.
Innovate BC Support Accessed: Innovator Skills Initiative, Venture Acceleration Program, Digital Skills for Youth, New Ventures BC Competition presented by Innovate BC
Where do you work and what is your role?
I’m the CEO and Co-founder of MetaOptima Technology Inc. We operate from Vancouver, Sydney and Boston.
What are you working on / what problem are you solving right now?
MetaOptima is a global leader in AI in HealthCare and has modernized dermatology by offering a cloud-based AI powered platform, DermEngine. DermEngine AI is in the FDA approval process to help with diagnosing skin cancers.
What are you excited about in BC tech and innovation now (or tech in general)?
The rapid change in AI adoption! Although a bit slower when it comes to healthcare, the storm is coming!
Who or what inspires you?
We are proud to empower millions of patients, doctors, and research communities in the fight against skin cancers and other dermatological diseases. We will continue to work hard to innovate more new technologies to create a positive impact in our community and society and make the world a better place to live.
What advice would you give yourself when you were first getting into the industry?
Your journey matters as much or more than the destination in your entrepreneurship adventure! Dare to drive your dream and enjoy the ride!
Nasim Ghavidel
Industrial Postdoctoral Fellow, Material Technology & Environmental Research Lab (MATTER), University of Northern British Columbia
Innovate BC Support Accessed: Ignite
Where do you work and what is your role?
I’m grateful to work and live in the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation territory. As an industrial postdoctoral fellow at the Material Technology & Environmental Research lab (MATTER) at the University of Northern British Columbia, I conduct innovative research in cleantech in collaboration with industry partners. I actively engage in knowledge transfer activities to conduct research and disseminate the findings and contribute to the development of new technologies and processes. In addition, being a Mitacs Elevate fellow, I have the opportunity to engage in professional development, attend conferences, and network with industry professionals.
What are you working on / what problem are you solving right now?
My work is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability by developing a biodegradable/combustible packaging material for the fish industry to solve the single-use packaging issue. My research involves exploring the use of various biodegradable materials, developing and testing different formulations and processes to optimize the material's properties, and ensuring that it meets industry specifications.
What are you excited about in BC tech and innovation right now (or tech in general)?
I am excited about the potential for clean technology and innovation to drive positive change in British Columbia, particularly regarding sustainability and environmental responsibility. I am encouraged to see companies and organizations incorporating sustainable practices and products into their business models, and the availability of funding and resources to support such initiatives in the region. I believe that BC's tech and innovation sector can lead the way in addressing pressing environmental challenges through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainability, creating a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by the potential of technology to address environmental challenges, motivated to reduce waste and promote a circular economy through green materials and processes, and inspired by the success stories of others in the cleantech industry. I am committed to making a positive impact on society and the planet and driven to contribute my skills and expertise toward a sustainable and equitable future. My passion for sustainability and environmental responsibility is what motivates me to continue developing and implementing sustainable packaging solutions.
Yvette Wu
CEO & Co-Founder, Yield Exchange
Innovate BC Support Accessed: New Ventures BC Competition presented by Innovate BC, sponsored trip to 2022 SAAS North Pitch Competition
Where do you work and what is your role?
Yield Exchange, CEO/Co-founder
What are you working on / what problem are you solving right now?
Yield Exchange is a double-sided investment marketplace that removes the massive headache and hassle around finding and negotiating GIC rates. We enable organizations to maximize on their investment returns with ease - making every dollar stretch!
Who or what inspires you?
So many people inspire me. But shout out goes to my immediate family members - my grandparents, parents, and badass aunties who have shown me what building 'something from nothing' looks like - first hand.
What advice would you give yourself when you were first getting into the industry?
Don't let the inevitable overwhelm stop you from moving forward - you'll figure it out. Just like you always have and continue to do. You got this!
Want to learn more about Innovate BC's programs to support talent development, tech adoption, and business growth? Explore our offerings.
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