Celebrating Innovation: Highlights from the 2024 Startup Garage Rally Day

By Yash Imrith

Content Creator , Entrepreneurship Month

Innovation
Entrepreneurship
Rally Day
On October 23, the Entrepreneurship Hub proudly hosted the 2024 Startup Garage Rally Day, an event that showcased the incredible talent and innovation of our startup community. Presented by Desjardins, this year’s Rally Day was a resounding success, filled with inspiring pitches, enthusiastic networking and well-deserved recognition.

The event saw 11 of our portfolio companies pitch their groundbreaking business ideas to a panel of judges and an engaged audience. The atmosphere was electric as each startup presented their vision, demonstrating the hard work and dedication they have put into their ventures over the past months.

Meet the startups

This year’s pitch competition featured a wide range of companies, each bringing unique solutions to contemporary challenges. 
 

  • FastFindAI: point-of-care software based on a deep learning neural network trained on medical imaging scans to detect, segment and classify possible anomalies
  • GastroTrackAI: digestive health app that uses artificial intelligence to help determine the root cause of bowel issues
  • GuitarxAI: fun sheet music for every single song in history, for every single instrument, powered by AI 
  • Independence Robotics: developing a low-cost mobile robotic arm to assist people with limited mobility 
  • Lutendi: supports residential real estate firms in managing credit risks and late payments, enhancing financial wellness and operational efficiency 
  • MedChain: decentralized B2B data-sharing platform that connects and aggregates various health-care providers (i.e., hospitals, contract research organizations, telemedicine providers and clinical research institutes) to securely, directly and seamlessly share patient data 
  • Quip Medical: mobile app that transcribes patient-doctor interactions and generates summarized notes in real time. 
  • Qinvst: AI-powered, all-in-one customized wealth management solution for small business 
  • Quadrufy: on the mission to make quadrupolar spin resonance (QSR) spectroscopy a practical tool 
  • Spyce Girlz: makes better-for-you, better-tasting spice blends that are all-natural, preservative-free, super versatile and tons of fun! 
  • Sugar Coated Technologies: specializes in bio-based polymers for surface coating applications

Award winners

Two awards were presented during the event:

  • Best Business Opportunity: Our panel of judges presented this award to Spyce Girlz and Quip Medical, in recognition of their innovative approaches and potential for significant market impact.
  • Audience Choice: The audience had the opportunity to vote for their favourite pitch, and FastFindAI took home this award, reflecting their ability to connect with and inspire the audience.

About the Startup Garage program

The Startup Garage program is an intensive, hands-on initiative designed to support early-stage startups. Participants receive mentorship, resources and access to a collaborative environment to develop their business ideas. The program culminates in the Rally Day event, which provides startups with a platform to showcase their progress and compete for recognition and funding.

Looking ahead

The success of the 2024 Rally Day testifies to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit at uOttawa. We look forward to continuing to support our startups and can’t wait to see what the future holds for these promising ventures.