Meet the 2025 Desjardins Startup Prize Pitch Competition Winners
The 2025 Desjardins Startup Prize Pitch Competition has once again rewarded the most promising startups pushing the boundaries of technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. This year’s winners showcase groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, and nanotechnology, each demonstrating immense potential to transform their respective fields.
In the Early-Stage Startup category, Vrit secured third place for its work in surgical care. The company is developing a handheld bioprinter that eliminates the need for autografts, making advanced, minimally invasive procedures more accessible. By combining novel bioinks with state-of-the-art printing technology, Vrit is empowering surgeons with tools that improve patient outcomes and redefine modern surgery.
In second place, Medium AI was recognized for delivering Canada’s most accurate and secure multilingual medical scribe system. By enabling English, Mandarin, and Cantonese-speaking clinicians to save up to eight hours per week and boost clinic revenue by $150,000 annually, Medium AI is revolutionizing medical documentation and streamlining healthcare workflows.
The first-place winner, NanoMorphix, is pioneering adhesive and coating materials reinforced with nanotechnology. These materials offer superior high-energy impact protection, finding applications in transparent armor and various industrial sectors, particularly in defense and advanced manufacturing.
The Early-Stage People’s Choice Award went to Elev8 & Perform, a revolutionary startup developing wearable technology that enhances athlete longevity and performance., Elev8 & Perform works with elite members of the Olympics, NBA, and Harvard University to transform how athletes train, recover, and excel at all levels.
In the Late-Stage Startup category, Re:Pair Genomics claimed third place for its breakthrough in gene therapy. With less than 14% of gene therapies currently succeeding due to off-target effects, Re:Pair Genomics has developed an algorithm that designs a mini GPS to improve targeting, reduce toxic side effects, and significantly increase success rates in gene therapy.
Second place was awarded to Dinamik Therapies, a clinical-stage biotechnology startup incubated at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. Dinamik is developing precision nanomedicines aimed at transforming care for the 450,000 patients and survivors living with oral cancers, bringing new hope to those affected by the disease.
The first-place winner and recipient of the Late-Stage People’s Choice Award, Flow Robotics, is a Toronto-based med-tech startup revolutionizing small intestinal diagnostics and treatment. Their cutting-edge, less invasive endoscopic solutions enhance efficiency, accessibility, and patient outcomes, making a significant impact on modern healthcare.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Desjardins Startup Prize Pitch Competition! Your vision, dedication, and innovation are shaping the future, and we look forward to seeing how you continue to transform industries and improve lives.