Quarterly Newsletter (Winter Edition)
Winter Edition
Welcome to the ninth volume of “The Connector,” Western Research Parks’ quarterly newsletter and your gateway to staying informed about our innovation-driven community.
In this winter edition, we are excited to showcase news, welcome new companies, promote upcoming events, and share the remarkable progress achieved by our business community members and partners. From highlighting innovative projects to spotlighting success stories to exploring new opportunities, “The Connector” aims to foster collaboration, connect research and industry, and provide a platform to support our community’s growth.
Thank you for your ongoing support and readership. Now, please see the following message from our Executive Director, Dr. Gailene Tobin Vandenheuvel.
As we enter the new year, we are excited to share our continued progress toward building a thriving innovation district in London, Ontario. This quarter, we’re proud to announce that we’ve received a significant number of inquiries from businesses interested in joining our vibrant community, and we are already welcoming new companies to our Research Parks.
Our efforts to build a dynamic and cutting-edge innovation district are gaining momentum, and we look forward to expanding our partnerships to bring even more innovative companies into the fold. We are working closely with our valued community, academic, and industry partners to create platforms that facilitate collaboration and help entrepreneurs and innovators accelerate their growth.
At the core of our efforts is the belief that innovation drives economic impact, and we are proud to be contributing to London’s economic growth. With 56 companies and an estimated $58 million annual contribution to the local economy, Western Research Parks continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our community.
This is an exciting time for Western Research Parks as we move forward, and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities that drive growth, foster collaboration, and strengthen our local and regional economy.
With warmest regards,
Gailene
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Joins Western Research Parks
We are thrilled to welcome the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) to our business community at Western Research Parks! OCI’s presence brings a wealth of expertise and resources to support innovation, collaboration, and economic growth within our ecosystem.
Dedicated to driving the commercialization and adoption of advanced technologies, OCI connects industry, academia, and government partners to create real-world impact. Their initiatives empower the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, aligning perfectly with the mission of Western Research Parks.
OCI has set up their operations at Discovery Landing, our shared office space designed for collaboration and innovation. This dynamic space, with its flexible leasing options, modern meeting rooms, and expert-hosted office hours, provides an ideal environment for OCI to help startups and businesses thrive.
Heading up OCI’s presence here is Juan Camilo Sarmiento, Manager of Business Development & Commercialization – Southwestern Ontario. Juan will host regular office hours at Discovery Landing, offering his expertise and support to our business community as they navigate opportunities for growth and commercialization.
Contact Juan by email to schedule your office hours. Or, learn more about our business community on our website.
Fully Promoted North London
Joins Western Research Parks
We are delighted to welcome Fully Promoted North London, a B2B branded apparel and promotional products company, to our vibrant business community. Fully Promoted specializes in high-quality, customizable products—from business cards and uniforms to mugs, jackets, and more—designed to help businesses enhance their brand presence. With over 250 locations worldwide and two decades of experience, they bring a wealth of expertise and creativity to our ecosystem.
This new location at the Mogenson Centre is proudly Indigenous-owned and operated by Dennis Bradbury, whose commitment to community and innovation makes Fully Promoted North London a valuable addition to Western Research Parks.
Contact Fully Promoted North London by email, or learn more about our business community on our website.
Deep Breathe: Innovating, Expanding,
& Impacting the Future of MedTech
Deep Breathe, a standout company in our innovation community located in the Mogenson Centre, continues to achieve remarkable milestones in healthcare technology as they enter 2025.
Recent Achievements:
- Nominated for the London Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Award for Excellence in Innovation.
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Selected for Cohort 3 of TechAlliance’s i.d.e.a. Fund.
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Chosen for the Canada-Chicago Mentoring Program (C2MP).
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Exhibited at the RSNA Conference in Chicago, a premier global radiology event.
Upcoming Events:
Deep Breathe is showcasing their expertise at several high-profile events, including:
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The Arab Health Conference in Dubai (January 27–30)
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The OBIO Investment Summit in Toronto (February 5–7)
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LSI USA ‘25 in Dana Point, CA (March 17–21)
Program and Research Highlights:
Deep Breathe continues to lead in innovation through a new research agreement with the US Special Forces, underscoring their impactful contributions to medical technology. They’ve also partnered with SpaceX to validate their AI capabilities in space—a groundbreaking effort to advance healthcare beyond Earth.
The team is hard at work finalizing documentation and conducting machine learning experiments for their FDA 510(k) submission, expected to be completed in Q1 2025.
Team Growth:
Deep Breathe is expanding their team with two new full-time hires:
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Joe McCauley, Software Developer
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Brooke Schidowka, People, Culture, and Operations Coordinator
With these exciting developments, Deep Breathe is poised for continued success in innovation & impact. Visit their website to learn more.
Eliomedica Explores AI’s Role in
Driving Big Results for Small Firms
Eliomedica, based in Discovery Landing at Mogenson Centre, showcases the transformative power of AI for small consulting firms in a recent article. Partnering with NyquistAI, Eliomedica has demonstrated how AI-driven solutions transform complex regulatory and clinical data into actionable insights, enabling smaller teams to achieve big results.
To learn more, read the full article on Eliomedica’s website.
Bridge Talent and Opportunity:
Partner with Western Continuing Studies
Partner with Western Continuing Studies to offer valuable real-world experience to students from our Post-Degree Diploma programs. Their students bring specialized knowledge and fresh perspectives in areas such as Clinical Trials Management, Human Resources, Marketing, and Occupational Health and Safety Management. The four-month practicum gives students the opportunity to apply their learning directly in the workplace, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
By hosting a Western intern, you’ll engage highly skilled students eager to contribute their expertise, ideas, and enthusiasm, while also developing your own supervisory and mentoring abilities. This partnership will elevate your organization’s profile among the student population and provide access to top-tier talent, all while supporting the development of future professionals.
Learn more about internship opportunities starting in May 2025
by visiting hostanintern.uwo.ca.
Winter 2025 Graduate Student Innovation
Scholars Cohort Kicks Off
Western’s Technology Transfer Office (formerly WORLDiscoveries) Winter 2025 Graduate Student Innovation Scholars (GSIS) cohort has launched, bringing together talented graduate students to solve challenges and translate research into real-world applications. Supported by Western Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship and Ivey Business School, this program bridges the gap between academia and industry.
Learn more about the program on the Technology Transfer Office’s website.
Innovative MedTech Panel:
“From Idea to Impact” Connector Session
Our recent Connector Session, From Idea to Impact, brought together leading MedTech innovators to share their invaluable insights on navigating the startup journey. Moderated by Dr. Arash Samimi (Eliomedica), the panel featured:
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Dr. Rob Arntfield (Deep Breathe).
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Dr. Saumik Biswas (Tenomix).
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Dr. Oleksiy Zaika (Vessl Prosthetics).
The panel emphasized key themes such as the importance of collaboration, embracing failure, and the need to remain adaptable in the face of challenges. This session was a perfect example of how partnerships between academia, industry, and entrepreneurs fuel innovation and drive progress.
If you missed the session or want to revisit the thought-provoking conversation, the full recording is now available.
You can catch up on all the insights via our website article or view the session directly on YouTube.
Thank you to our partners, London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and BioNext, for making this engaging discussion possible!
Explore the Impact of Western Research Parks &
LEDC’s Partnership in MedTech
Western Research Parks and the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) are showcasing the strength of their collaboration in a new article from LEDC. The piece highlights how their strategic partnership, including initiatives like The Connector Sessions, is driving innovation and fostering growth in sectors like MedTech, advanced manufacturing, and health.
“By supporting collaboration between academia, industry, and community partners, we’re building an innovation district that fosters growth and empowers startups and emerging technologies to thrive,” says Dr. Gailene Tobin Vandenheuvel.
Read the full article on LEDC’s website here, or on our website here.
Reflecting on a Year of
Innovation and Collaboration
With the end of 2024, we celebrated the connections, events, and milestones that defined the year. From hosting vibrant networking sessions to supporting local art, our community continues to thrive. Thank you for being part of our journey.
Read our Year in Review here.
Celebrating Art & Renewal:
London Community Artists Open House
L-R Aura Burditt, Gailene Tobin Vandenheuval,
and Bill Stephens
On November 21, 2024, Western Research Parks celebrated a year of collaboration with the London Community Artists (LCA) during an inspiring open house event. The evening featured remarks from Dr. Gailene Tobin Vandenheuvel, who praised the transformative impact of LCA’s artwork on campus, and a formal renewal of the partnership agreement, ensuring continued support for local art and creativity.
Read the event recap article here.
Welcoming Alex Koifman to the
Western Research Parks Team
We are pleased to welcome Alex Koifman as our new Marketing & Communications Coordinator! With a strong background in User Experience Design from Wilfrid Laurier University, Alex is focusing on enhancing our digital presence, keeping our business community informed, and showcasing the vibrant innovation within our innovation district.
Learn more about the Western Research Parks team here
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Faces of Innovation: Dennis Bradbury,
Owner of Fully Promoted North London
Western Research Parks proudly welcomes Dennis Bradbury, an Indigenous entrepreneur and the owner of Fully Promoted North London, to our thriving business community. With over 20 years of experience in retail and a deep commitment to community support, Dennis exemplifies innovation and leadership.
Dennis’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in the values passed down from his grandfather, Andre (Henry) Longlade. At just 15, Andre left his home in Tiny Township to support his family, eventually paving the way for future generations. Inspired by this legacy, Dennis has built a career grounded in community involvement, from growing his grocery store business to supporting local charities, schools, and special needs programs.
Now, as the owner of Fully Promoted North London, Dennis continues to embrace these values by offering high-quality branded apparel and promotional products while championing the importance of supporting Indigenous businesses. “Helping Indigenous businesses in cities like London not only creates opportunities locally but also strengthens our communities back home,” he reflects.
Dennis’s presence at Western Research Parks is a testament to his dedication to fostering collaboration, supporting local entrepreneurs, and driving innovation. We’re excited to see the positive impact he’ll bring to our ecosystem and beyond. Welcome, Dennis!
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We appreciate you taking the time to read this volume of our community newsletter. We look forward to our tenth edition scheduled for April 2025.