From a Missed Call to a Big Idea For many founders, innovation starts with curiosity. For David Owasi , it began with frustration — the kind that built up, one missed phone call at a time. While earning his computer science degree at the University of Manitoba , Owasi ran a painting franchise to help pay tuition. He spent his days up on ladders, juggling customers, crews, and calls. Despite being busy, he couldn’t capitalize on all the opportunities coming his way. “Customers

When David Peters was 16, his dad told him they were going to build a house together. Two years later, Peters realized he’d built much more than a home. He’d built the foundation for a career that would transform how thousands of construction crews around the world manage their time. “I basically thought, well, I know a lot of areas of construction, because I just built a house from start to finish,” Peters said. “So I jumped into the trades. I got a tax number and started a

In healthcare, every minute matters — yet for many physicians, those precious minutes are often consumed by paperwork. That’s what Aivida , a Manitoba-based AI healthcare startup developing AI-driven healthcare solutions , set out to change. Their new product, Scribble , is an artificial intelligence scribe that streamlines clinical documentation so doctors can focus on patient care, not administrative tasks. “Physicians want to see more patients, but they don’t want to sacri

Winnipeg AI startup Robin is transforming customer communication with a smart, text-based tool that delivers instant, personalized responses. Founded by entrepreneur Ben Myers and supported by North Forge, Robin uses artificial intelligence to help organizations streamline customer service, reduce repetitive inquiries, and free up staff time.

When John Barbosa founded U-Pro Soccer , he wasn’t trying to create the next Silicon Valley tech empire — he was a dad designing a better...

By harvesting native cattails to fight nutrient pollution in Lake Winnipeg, Typha Co. not only helps the environment, but it also earns valuable tax credits for its innovative sustainability efforts.

Cat Ferguson, founder of Artified and member of WiLab at North Forge, is transforming raw materials into bold, sustainable designs. Specializing in epoxy art and custom furniture, she combines creativity, innovation, and community to grow her brand and inspire other entrepreneurs.

If you want to understand the future of Manitoba’s economy, don’t look at a skyscraper. Look in a basement. Look at the borrowed...

What started as a simple idea for better-fitting safety gear turned into a globally recognized innovation. Backed by North Forge, this Winnipeg entrepreneur is redefining inclusivity in personal protective equipment and catching the attention of NATO.

Adam Fainman, founder of Moonlite Labs, has gone from beatboxing on stage to building one of Canada’s top generative AI startups. Moonlite’s platform makes multimedia storytelling easy for everyone, earning recognition from TechCrunch and a showcase at VivaTech 2025.

Photo by MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Dr. Norm Silver and David Berkowits, co-founders of QDoc and alumni of North Forge programming, are...

Before there was a business, there was a feeling — a need to do good. Hernan Popper, founder of Popp3r Cybersecurity, is dedicated to...

There’s a green advantage in Manitoba that could change the way the world looks at emissions — but only if local innovators can protect...

A Manitoba-based startup is carving out a crucial role in carbon removal — one innovation at a time

Sexual violence remains a pressing issue across the globe, and access to safe, anonymous reporting tools is crucial in addressing it. A recent article by the Winnipeg Free Press highlights the incredible work of Winnipeg entrepreneur and founder Mary Lobson and her platform, REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors)

North Forge founder Tillwell was recently featured in an article about their groundbreaking approach to after-death care known as aquamation

As an Electronic Engineering Technology student at RRC Polytech, Mahmoud Alzaibaq co-founded Canada Computing with a vision: to make a diffe

When Joel Weber , Founder and CEO of Lake Water Nutrient Capture , set out to tackle phosphorus pollution in Lake Winnipeg and beyond, he...

When John Barbosa’s 10-year-old son broke their TV, a wall, and  a door while practicing soccer at home, he knew there had to be a better...

When Kiera Fogg founded Ribit AI, she wasn’t just setting out to solve a problem—she was reinventing how the automotive industry connects wi