9 startups you won't want to miss at U of T Entrepreneurship Week 2025

From using solar energy to create green hydrogen to advancing genomics research with AI and improving urban mobility, University of Toronto entrepreneurs are at the forefront of some of the most important innovations of our time – and there’s no better place to connect with them than U of T Entrepreneurship Week.

The annual flagship event of U of T Entrepreneurship – one of the top five university business incubators in the world, comprising more than 10 campus-linked accelerators – Entrepreneurship Week, which kicked off March 3, provides an ideal opportunity to connect with founders of more than 50 cutting-edge startups.

These companies are part of a thriving university entrepreneurship community that has created more than 1,200 venture-backed startups and, in the past five years alone, raised in excess of $12 billion and created more than 17,000 jobs.

Here are nine U of T startups that will participate in Entrepreneurship Week by competing in the Desjardins Startup Prize pitch competition or exhibiting at the True Blue Expo – both of which take place during True Blue Impact Day on March 6:

Re:Pair Genomics

Re:Pair Genomics uses AI to fast-track gene therapy research by designing customized gene regulatory elements, particularly those related to DNA transcription. Co-founded by U of T graduate alum Shiron Lee, post-doctoral research associate Yosuke Niibori and PhD student Luca Hategan, the company's technology is useful for researchers who are targeting specific cell types or transfecting cells with DNA plasmids. 

Medium AI 

Medium AI, co-founded by U of T graduate student Kino Song and McMaster University's Jingbin Lin, offers a multilingual medical scribe system that converts patient-clinician conversations into structured clinical notes to help streamline administrative tasks for multilingual primary care physicians. The company's platform supports several languages including English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Lyrata Inc. 

Lyrata is a "farming-as-a-service" startup, co-founded by U of T alumni Adnan Sharif and Leo Hua, that develops 3D-printed smart soil for hydroponic “smart unit” gardens. The technology enables users to select the type, quantity and size of leafy greens they wish to grow – all while using less energy and producing more yield per square foot compared to traditional farming.

Morphace

Morphace is a skincare wearables company that has developed a face mask that helps rejuvenate the skin while also providing data-driven skincare tips to wearers. The mask measures various skin health parameters to help users refine their skincare routines. It also employs radiofrequency skin treatments. Morphace was co-founded by U of T PhD students Jia Xi Chen and Tianhao Chen. 

Uma

Uma offers autonomous vending solutions that enable businesses to conveniently showcase their products in high-traffic areas. Customers can access products in an Uma Box by scanning a QR code and pay directly from their phone. Uma was founded by U of T alum Walid Al Khalidi and student Jim Ma. 

HyC Light Inc.

HyC Light is on a mission to pave the way to a sustainable, zero-emissions future via a solar energy solution that converts natural gas (methane) into clean hydrogen and carbon nanotubes. The company was co-founded by U of T postdoctoral research fellow Abdelaziz Gouda, research assistant Abhinav Mohan and former U of T postdoctoral researcher Camilo J. Viasus Pérez.

iCommute 

iCommute is a shared mobility platform, established to help businesses and universities address commuting challenges by connecting employees and students to cost-effective, time-saving, and eco-friendly ride providers. The company was co-founded by Ayman and Adil Abdulkadir. 

Nanomorphix

Nanomorphix is developing adhesive and coating materials with nano-reinforcements designed to enhance the durability of transparent coatings, which are designed to boost structural integrity and have self-healing capabilities. The technology boasts applications in the automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics sectors, among others. The company's co-founders include U of T PhD student Nichole Cheung.

KON Aerosystems 

KON Aerosystems is looking to revolutionize aviation with its electromagnetic propulsion technology. The company's take-off launch system minimizes fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during the most energy-consuming phases of flight, making it ideal for a range of applications. The company was co-founded by U of T alumni Jovan Phull and Javad Siahkamari.

Learn more about U of T Entrepreneurship Week