As we approach 2026, the tech landscape in Canada is evolving rapidly. With a surge in innovation, numerous startups are making remarkable strides in various fields, from sustainable energy to healthcare. From solving global climate crisis to revamping healthcare and logistics, Canadian entrepreneurs are at the forefront of technological advancements. Here are 10 Canadian tech entrepreneurs to watch in 2026, making significant contributions to their respective sectors and shaping the future of technology.
Ahmad Ghahreman: Championing Sustainable Mining
Ahmad Ghahreman, co-founder and CEO of Cyclic Materials, is making waves in the mining industry with a sustainable approach to rare earth mining. The Toronto-based startup recovers and recycles rare earth elements and critical minerals from magnets in wind turbines, electric vehicles, and electronics at the end of their life cycle. This innovative method has garnered recognition, making Cyclic Materials the first Canadian company to make MIT Technology Review’s Climate Tech Companies to Watch in 2025. Ghahreman’s approach to urban mining not only reduces carbon emissions and water use but also contributes to a sustainable supply chain.
Wendy Naimark: Revolutionizing Eye Care
Wendy Naimark and her team at Ripple Therapeutics are making a significant impact on the eye care sector. Their innovative approach involves creating tiny biodegradable implants for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of severe vision loss in people over 60. This solution reduces patient treatment by 81 per cent, extending the time between injections from every four to six weeks to eight months.
Andrew Murray: Pioneering Renewable Energy
Andrew Murray, founder of Aslan Renewables, is transforming abandoned water mills into sources of renewable energy. His AI-powered autonomous turbine systems can be installed at former dam sites, allowing communities to harness river and tidal energy and repurpose existing infrastructure into sources of clean power. With governments aiming to decarbonize the electricity grid, Murray’s small-scale hydro projects are a promising solution.
Jenny Lemieux: Optimizing Fruit Farming
Jenny Lemieux, co-founder and CEO of Vivid Machines, is using AI to streamline fruit farming. Her tool can scan millions of plants and make real-time recommendations, helping farmers determine the best actions for pruning, irrigation, and fertilization. This precision farming approach is not only changing the way fruit farming is done but also reducing the use of chemicals by around 40 per cent.
Sam Mugel: Reducing AI’s Environmental Impact
Sam Mugel, chief technology officer at Multiverse Computing, is addressing the environmental impact of AI. With the help of quantum-inspired AI-model compression, his company’s product, CompactifAI, can reduce the size of large language models by up to 95 per cent. The result is AI models that perform as well as the original but with half the energy consumption.
Youssef Helwa: Advancing Post-Surgery Care
Youssef Helwa, the founder of FluidAI, is using advanced monitoring technology and AI tools to improve post-surgery care. By analyzing vital signs, fluids, and other electronic health records, FluidAI provides insights into patients’ recovery, potentially saving lives by proactively identifying post-surgical leaks.
Darcy Tuer: Democratizing Financial Flexibility
Darcy Tuer, CEO and co-founder of ZayZoon, offers a solution for workers needing early access to their earned wages. ZayZoon’s Earned Wage Access (EWA) program allows companies to provide employees with a portion of their earned wages before their regular payday, providing an alternative to payday loans.
Amanda Hall: Innovating Lithium Extraction
Amanda Hall, founder of Summit Nanotech, has developed a more sustainable method of extracting lithium. By using absorption, ion exchange, and solvent extraction, she has made it possible to capture lithium ions at higher concentrations while reducing freshwater use by 30 per cent.
Michael Peirone: Enhancing Prosthetic Accessibility
Michael Peirone and his team at Victoria Hand Project (VHP) are making prosthetic arms more accessible worldwide. By 3D-printing prosthetics and training health clinics worldwide on how to do it, they are lowering the cost of prosthetic arms to around $200, a fraction of the cost of traditional prosthetics.
Bethany Ladd: Transforming Carbon Dioxide into Rock
Bethany Ladd, co-founder and head of operations at Arca Climate Technologies, is harnessing the natural process of carbon storage in rocks. By speeding up this process, the company captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
These entrepreneurs demonstrate the diversity and strength of Canadian tech innovation. Their work is not only pushing the boundaries of technology but also contributing to a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive future.
