A satellite network that is modernizing space communications.\u00a0An AI platform that powers safe autonomous trucks and taxis. An injectable hydrogel that can improve post-operative pain relief for patients.<\/p>\n
These are some of the cutting-edge products and solutions being developed and commercialized by members of the entrepreneurship community at the University of Toronto, Canada’s top university for producing venture-backed entrepreneurs<\/a>.<\/p>\n U of T Entrepreneurship <\/a>is gearing up to celebrate these and other startups<\/a> during the ninth annual Entrepreneurship Week<\/a>, which will be held from March 2 to 6 and comprises more than 15 events \u2013\u00a0from pitch competitions and startup showcases to inspiring speakers, workshops and more.<\/p>\n Here are 10 exciting U of T-affiliated startups to keep an eye on in 2026:<\/p>\n Kepler Communications<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0(photo courtesy of Kepler Communications)<\/p>\n A satellite telecommunications company founded by U of T alumni Mina Mitry, Jeffrey Osborne, Mark Michael and Wen Cheng Chong, Kepler Communications has developed a space-based network that uses lasers to communicate between satellites.<\/p>\n The company recently launched 10 optical relay satellites via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket<\/a>. With 33 satellites now in orbit, Kepler Communications can lay claim to operating the largest fleet of Canadian-built satellites.<\/p>\n Founded in 2015, Kepler Communications received early support from several U of T accelerators including Start@UTIAS<\/a>, the Entrepreneurship Hatchery<\/a> and the Creative Destruction Lab <\/a>at the Rotman School of Management. The company has since raised more than $200 million in equity funding.<\/p>\n TransCrypts<\/a><\/p>\n TransCrypts co-founders Zain Zaidi, left, and Ali Zaheer (photo courtesy of TransCrypts)<\/p>\n Co-founded by cousins Zain Zaidi and Ali Zaheer, TransCrypts is using technology to strengthen digital identity verification and tackle AI-driven fraud.<\/p>\n Since securing second place at the pitch competition during Entrepreneurship Week 2022, the company has gone from strength to strength, raising $20 million in seed funding from investors including Mark Cuban.<\/p>\n Its platform \u2013 which combines blockchain, cryptographic security and military-grade encryption \u2013 has attracted more than 450 enterprise customers in industries ranging from health care to real estate.<\/p>\n TransCrypts received early support from The Hub \u2013 a U of T Scarborough accelerator that has been succeeded by the Sam Ibrahim Centre for Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Leadership<\/a>.<\/p>\n AmacaThera<\/a><\/p>\n Molly Shoichet, left, is co-founder and chief science officer at AmacaThera (photo by Polina Teif)<\/p>\n AmacaThera Inc. is a biotech company that has developed a novel injectable hydrogel platform that enables precise and sustained release of therapeutics.<\/p>\n Co-founded by Molly Shoichet<\/a>, a University Professor<\/a> of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and Pamela and Paul Austin Chair in Precision and Regenerative Medicine, and Mike Cooke, a former postdoctoral fellow in the Shoichet Lab, AmacaThera recently secured a licensing agreement worth over $300 million\u00a0to investigate a non-opioid anesthetic, based on its hydrogel platform, that could revolutionize pain management. The company is also collaborating with Merck Animal Health to develop formulations for use in veterinary medicine.<\/p>\n AmacaThera Inc.\u2019s growth and potential impact garnered it the honour of 2026 Emerging Company of the Year from Life Sciences Ontario.<\/p>\n Waabi<\/a><\/p>\n (photo courtesy of Waabi)<\/p>\n Founded by Raquel Urtasun, a professor of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science and co-founder of the Vector Institute, Waabi is advancing AI-driven autonomous transportation in areas ranging from long-haul trucking to taxis.<\/p>\n The company recently raised $1 billion to boost the commercialization of its Physical AI platform in addition to more than $300 million in conditional funding from Uber to expand into robotaxis<\/a> \u2013 among the largest venture capital financings in Canadian history, according to the Globe and Mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n Urtasun previously headed Uber\u2019s self-driving car division in Toronto prior to founding Waabi in 2021.<\/p>\n Kiwi Charge<\/a><\/p>\n (photo courtesy of Kiwi Charge)<\/p>\n Kiwi Charge has developed robotic electric vehicle (EV) chargers that can autonomously navigate to parking spots and deliver on-demand charging \u2013 enabling more convenient charging for EV owners in high-rise buildings and dense urban neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n The company recently unveiled a $1.7-million pilot project with General Motors Canada and Pfaff Automotive<\/a> to prototype and test its charging robot, which it showcased at the Canadian International Auto Show in February.<\/p>\n Founded by\u00a0Abdel Ali, Kiwi Charge was part of the 2023 cohort of the Nobellum Innovator Program<\/a> and\u00a0the 2024 cohort of the\u00a0Black Founders Network<\/a> (BFN) Accelerate\u00a0program.\u00a0<\/p>\n NordSpace<\/a><\/p>\n (photo by Andrew Francis Wallace\/Toronto Star via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Aerospace startup NordSpace is on a mission to revolutionize Canada\u2019s space sector by developing a comprehensive space launch system that comprises launch vehicles, 3D-printed engines, a spaceport and more.<\/p>\n Founded by Rahul Goel<\/a>, a PhD candidate at the U of T Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS), NordSpace is planning to carry out Canada\u2019s first commercial rocket launch by launching its \u201cTaiga\u201d rocket from its Atlantic Spaceport Complex this spring.<\/p>\n The company recently received support from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to pursue a research and development project with Germany\u2019s Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology and technology company SWMS.<\/p>\n Goel previously founded events software startup Pheedloop<\/a> as an undergraduate student, with support from the Entrepreneurship Hatchery<\/p>\n Xatoms<\/a><\/p>\n (L-R) Xatoms co-founders Kerem Ismail Oglou, Diana Virgovicova and Shirley Zhong (photo courtesy of Xatoms)<\/p>\n Xatoms uses AI and quantum chemistry to discover materials that can purify contaminated water.<\/p>\n Co-founded by Diana Virgovicova, who came to U of T with the support of a Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, Xatoms\u2019 partners range from textile manufacturers to mine operators and NGOs.<\/p>\n Since taking home the top prizes for early-stage startups<\/a> at the Desjardins Startup Prize at Entrepreneurship Week two years ago, Xatoms has continued its upward trajectory, raising $3 million in pre-seed funding in 2025. In January, Virgovicova was invited to speak about Xatoms at the World Economic Forum in Davos.<\/p>\n ALT TEX<\/a><\/p>\n Avneet Ghotra is co-founder and chief technology officer at ALT TEX (photo by Polina Teif)<\/p>\n ALT TEX is developing a method to convert food waste into biodegradable and sustainable polyester alternatives, with the goal of boosting sustainability in the fashion industry.<\/p>\n Co-founded by U of T alum Avneet Ghotra and Myra Arshad, ALT TEX received early support from the ICUBE <\/a>accelerator and SpinUp <\/a>wet lab incubator at U of T Mississauga, and has since raised more than $4.5 million from investors.<\/p>\n The startup\u2019s co-founders were named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2025<\/a> in recognition of their contributions to manufacturing and industry.<\/p>\n MedEssist<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Do, right, and Joelle Almeida co-founded MedEssist to help pharmacies improve patient care\u00a0(photo courtesy of MedEssist)<\/p>\n MedEssist has developed an AI platform that helps pharmacies improve patient care and streamline their operations.<\/p>\n Co-founded by U of T alumni Joella Almeida and Michael Do, the company received early support from the Health Innovation Hub (H2i)<\/a> accelerator at U of T, and has gone on to raise $6.5 million in funding.<\/p>\n More than 700 pharmacies across Canada and the U.S. are using MedEssist\u2019s software, with 100 of them using the comprehensive MedEssist Access to Care platform to transform from pharmacies into health clinics that can diagnose conditions and provide immediate care to patients.<\/p>\n