Seventh Ascend Accelerator Cohort Embraces Digital Innovation
Pictured are (back row, left to right) Magdy Alanani, Ingenuity manager Alyson MacKay, Tony Braxton Tchio Ngoumeza, and Rambert Shaw, and (front row, left to right) Gia Hieu Le and James McDonagh.
By: Melissa Burton
Six student-founded ventures graduated from innovative ideas to tangible businesses at Thursday’s Ascend Accelerator program graduation hosted by Ingenuity, Lakehead’s business incubator.
“This group brought a remarkable level of energy, and their business ideas showcased an exciting variety of perspectives and innovation,” says Ingenuity manager Alyson MacKay, who was thrilled to see the diversity in this year’s businesses, ranging from precision agriculture to AI-powered audio summarization to an online yoga studio.
“As we wrap up another dynamic cohort of the Ascend program, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to each of the teams for their commitment and drive,” she says. “I also want to express my deep gratitude to the mentors and community partners whose guidance and support continue to play a vital role in the success of this program."
Privacy is the priority of James McDonagh (HBSc’25, BSc’25) and Gia Hieu Le’s (HBSc’25) new venture, Conversaver. Their AI-powered audio summarization tool delivers customizable summaries of conversations using strict data protection measures.
James, a second-time Ascend participant and recent Lakehead computer science and mathematics graduate, says the program is an incredible catalyst of growth and learning. “For any aspiring entrepreneur, it’s an experience that gives you the skills, confidence, and support to truly turn your vision into reality. The mentorship and workshops were invaluable, but what really stood out was Alyson MacKay’s unwavering support and commitment to helping founders succeed.”
Vivideye Concepts is another of the new student-led business ventures supported by Ascend. Launched by Rambert Shaw (MSc’25), Vivideye produces cinematic, story-driven videos that elevate brands, capture attention, and drive results with a turnaround time of only three business days.
Tony Braxton Tchio Ngoumeza, a software engineering student, is the founder of GreenShade, a precision agriculture system that leverages machine learning to optimize farming practices. By integrating data-driven analysis and predictive modeling, GreenShade is poised to help farmers maximize yield, improve resource efficiency, and identify the most suitable crops for their specific environment and climate.
Concurrent Education student, Mackenzie Smith started the online yoga studio, Aurae & Company, to blend mindfulness and self-care with accessibility. With a flexible, “practice anywhere” ethos, Aurae invites users to reconnect with themselves and move with intention - no matter where they are.
Created by fourth-year mechanical engineering student Vince Butrico and teacher-turned developer Michael Gagliardil, SkillJa provides a unified space to bring together athletes and coaches. Built by athletes for athletes, SkillJa helps athletes find trusted coaches across 35+ sports, while coaches can showcase their expertise, manage bookings, and grow their business.
Magdy Alanani’s (PhD’24) Teknu Solutions is a research-driven startup providing advanced engineering solutions for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. This company integrates structural engineering expertise with AI and optimization algorithms to streamline and enhance building design. By improving material efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and accelerating early-stage design decisions, Teknu Solutions builds the foundation for smarter, more sustainable structural design.
Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation congratulated the graduates.
“The graduation of our seventh Ingenuity Ascend cohort is a testament to the incredible entrepreneurial spirit thriving at Lakehead University,” he says. “Over the past 10 weeks, our graduating students have embraced the opportunities and challenges of turning their ideas into market-ready businesses.”
“Their innovative solutions have addressed gaps in the market, and I'm confident these diverse ventures will contribute to our region's economic growth.”
The ventures accepted to this year’s 10-week program received funding from the John Dobson Foundation, mentorship, and weekly workshops to develop their businesses. The teams were held accountable for reaching milestone goals as they progressed on their entrepreneurial journeys.
For more about Ingenuity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/centre/ingenuity.