Brightspark Ventures

Forcen Inc. is a Canadian company specializing in the development and manufacture of force-sensing film technology for various applications, including surgical robotics, industrial robotics, and the aerospace and defense sectors. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Toronto, Forcen's innovative force-sensing film can be integrated into medical devices, enabling real-time force feedback for surgeons and enhancing precision during procedures. This technology accurately measures the forces applied at the tool's tip and wirelessly transmits this information, thereby improving operational safety and reducing complications. As a tier 1 supplier, Forcen also provides comprehensive sensing networks for robotics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), facilitating advanced force and torque sensor systems.

Deep Sky is a company focused on developing infrastructure for carbon dioxide removal, aimed at reducing overall carbon emissions. It specializes in providing CO2 collection and storage services powered by renewable energy, operating at scale. This allows various industries, including compliance, voluntary markets, and government procurement, to profitably monetize carbon dioxide removal credits while leveraging environmental resources. Through its innovative approach, Deep Sky contributes to efforts in addressing climate change by facilitating the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Optable is a data collaboration and clean room solution tailored for the advertising ecosystem, focusing on privacy and data governance. The company provides a platform that enables secure activation and deployment of advertising campaigns directly from a clean room environment. By facilitating frictionless collaboration and interoperability, Optable allows clients to safely match audience data with various partners. This decentralized approach enhances audience addressability while employing privacy-preserving methods for people-based targeting campaigns. Optable serves a diverse clientele, including advertisers, publishers, and data companies, enabling them to securely onboard and leverage audience data for improved marketing effectiveness.

Potloc Inc. is a Montreal-based company that operates an online consumer insights platform, which was founded in 2014. The platform specializes in providing businesses with market insights through various survey methodologies, including web panels, phone surveys, and geo-targeted surveys utilizing social networks. This innovative approach allows Potloc to gather authentic consumer feedback and data on purchasing habits, helping companies predict customer retention and acquisition. Trusted by numerous leading brands and organizations, Potloc's platform enables retailers and businesses to effectively connect with their target audiences globally. With offices in Toronto, Paris, and Geneva, Potloc has established itself as a key player in the market research industry, delivering high-quality data insights that meet the specific needs of its clients.

Vetster is a pet wellness platform that facilitates connections between pet owners and licensed veterinary professionals. Through its innovative marketplace, the platform offers video, chat, and voice-enabled appointments, allowing pet parents to access quality veterinary care anytime and anywhere. By prioritizing convenience and affordability, Vetster aims to enhance the pet care experience for both owners and their pets, ensuring that professional assistance is readily available around the clock.

DrugBank is a developer of a comprehensive drug knowledge platform aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and accelerating drug research. Their robust database provides extensive information on pharmaceuticals, including mechanisms of action, drug interactions, and allergy information, which empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions. The platform includes tools for drug search, interaction checking, and access to drug labels, facilitating precision medicine and clinical software applications. By integrating these resources into various software solutions via their API, DrugBank enables companies to scale their usage and expedite the development of novel drug candidates and predictive machine learning models. Additionally, DrugBank Online offers a free-to-use resource with limited datasets for academic and non-commercial research, contributing to its recognition in over 13,000 academic publications and its widespread use among millions of researchers and health professionals worldwide.

Potential Motors Inc. is a Canadian company founded in 2018, specializing in software solutions that enhance the safety and performance of vehicles through artificial intelligence and computer vision. The company has developed RallyAI, a platform designed to optimize vehicle control by analyzing both off-road and on-road terrain in real-time using various camera systems. This technology allows vehicles to adapt their traction and suspension settings dynamically, improving overall performance and efficiency. Potential Motors collaborates with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across several sectors, including motorcycles, powersports, defense, and automotive, to trial and refine its innovative solutions. Based in Hanwell, Canada, the company is committed to advancing vehicle capabilities in a variety of challenging environments.

Elevate Farms Inc. is a technology-driven company based in Toronto, Canada, that specializes in vertically stacked indoor farming, primarily focusing on the mass production of leafy green vegetables. Founded in 2017, the company employs proprietary technology to optimize plant growth and enhance space utilization, utilizing state-of-the-art LED lighting, automated nutrient delivery systems, and climate-controlled environments. This innovative approach allows Elevate Farms to produce high-quality crops while using up to 95% less water and significantly less land than traditional farming methods. Committed to sustainability, the company strives to minimize its environmental footprint through energy-efficient designs and solar integration. Elevate Farms has demonstrated the profitability and scalability of vertical farming, operating production facilities that deliver fresh produce directly to markets, thus reducing transportation costs and improving supply chain efficiencies. With operational sites in three countries and plans for further expansion, Elevate Farms aims to meet the growing global demand for sustainable produce while addressing food security challenges.

Classcraft is an online educational role-playing game designed to enhance classroom management and engage students in the learning process. Founded by Lauren Young, Devin Young, and Shawn Young, the platform offers a gamified experience that motivates learners by promoting teamwork and personal growth. It enables educators to foster positive student behavior through interactive gameplay, where students can earn rewards and develop skills that reflect real-world consequences. Classcraft is accessible across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, OS X, Chrome, and Windows, making it a versatile tool for teachers and administrators aiming to create a more dynamic and engaging educational environment.

Nudge is a communications platform that empowers deskless employees and drives better outcomes for your business. Backed by the power of behavioral science and the highest user ratings in its category, Nudge mobilizes non-desk teams by providing the information, inspiration, and insights employees need to exceed expectations and stay connected at work. Leading brands such as Compass Group, Staples, and Margaritaville rely on Nudge to boost employee engagement, exceed sales goals, and transform the customer experience. For more information, please visit www.nudgerewards.com.

Potloc Inc. is a Montreal-based company that operates an online consumer insights platform, which was founded in 2014. The platform specializes in providing businesses with market insights through various survey methodologies, including web panels, phone surveys, and geo-targeted surveys utilizing social networks. This innovative approach allows Potloc to gather authentic consumer feedback and data on purchasing habits, helping companies predict customer retention and acquisition. Trusted by numerous leading brands and organizations, Potloc's platform enables retailers and businesses to effectively connect with their target audiences globally. With offices in Toronto, Paris, and Geneva, Potloc has established itself as a key player in the market research industry, delivering high-quality data insights that meet the specific needs of its clients.

AdHawk Microsystems Inc. is a Canadian technology company founded in 2015, specializing in the development of advanced eye and gesture tracking software, as well as micro-electromechanical systems for mobile and wearable devices. The company has created a unique camera-free eye tracking system that enhances mobile data capture and facilitates cutting-edge augmented and virtual reality applications. AdHawk's innovations have led to the production of high-performance wearable eye tracking products that offer exceptional speed and data quality by employing customized microsystems, thus improving computational and power efficiency. Their technology is making strides in various domains, including smart glasses equipped with biometric sensing and human-computer interaction peripherals. Additionally, AdHawk is poised to launch a pioneering consumer wearable device aimed at monitoring cognitive health, providing users with valuable insights into their brain activity and supporting improved wellness.

Nanoport Technology Inc. is a Silicon Valley R&D lab for mobile technologies. The company specializes in the development of advanced solutions for connectivity, haptics, multi-device applications and human-device interfaces. Nanoport also offers a range of specialized components for close-range communication, power transfer and modular device interactivity.

Classcraft is an online educational role-playing game designed to enhance classroom management and engage students in the learning process. Founded by Lauren Young, Devin Young, and Shawn Young, the platform offers a gamified experience that motivates learners by promoting teamwork and personal growth. It enables educators to foster positive student behavior through interactive gameplay, where students can earn rewards and develop skills that reflect real-world consequences. Classcraft is accessible across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, OS X, Chrome, and Windows, making it a versatile tool for teachers and administrators aiming to create a more dynamic and engaging educational environment.

Wysdom.AI is a cognitive care solutions provider based in Richmond Hill, Canada, with additional offices in Atlanta, Kansas City, and London. Founded in 2012, the company specializes in Virtual Agent Operations, assisting clients in launching and managing virtual agents effectively. Recognizing that many virtual agents face challenges in implementation and operation, Wysdom.AI offers a dedicated team along with the necessary tools and data to optimize the performance of chatbots. This enables organizations to better handle high volumes of customer service inquiries, sales support, and employee assistance, thereby improving overall operational efficiency.

Hopper Inc. is a travel technology company based in Montreal, Canada, with additional offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, New York, and Sofia, Bulgaria. Founded in 2007 by Frederic Lalonde and Joost Ouwerkerk, Hopper has developed a mobile application that leverages big data and predictive analytics to provide users with travel recommendations. The app specializes in analyzing and forecasting airfare and accommodations, enabling travelers to secure the best deals. Hopper notifies users when flight and hotel prices are anticipated to be at their lowest, allowing them to make informed decisions about their travel plans. The company's innovative platform aims to simplify the travel booking process, making it easier for users to plan and book their trips directly from their mobile devices.

nGUVU is a cloud-based software provider specializing in gamified solutions aimed at enhancing engagement among contact center agents. The company leverages machine learning and behavioral analytics to create a more motivating work environment, transforming routine responsibilities into engaging experiences. By introducing game-like mechanics, nGUVU enables agents to self-manage and continuously improve their performance through fun and collaborative challenges. The platform also equips managers with real-time performance visuals, allowing them to monitor agent performance and anticipate potential risks effectively. Through its innovative approach, nGUVU seeks to revolutionize the everyday work experience for contact center agents, fostering a culture of motivation and inspiration.

gShift is an enterprise SEO, Web presence analytics and content performance platform designed to help agency and brand marketers optimize, monitor and report on the performance of their multi-channel owned, earned and paid campaigns from search through to conversion. gShift’s software infrastructure has been collecting and storing web presence data since 2009. More than 10,000 brands in 24 countries benefit from gShift’s insight data and software, as they optimize their time to improve the discoverability and the sharing of their content. gShift placed 29th on the PROFIT HOT 50.

NowPublic is a user-generated social news website that serves as a crowdsourcing news network. It allows individuals to contribute and share news related to politics, culture, entertainment, and various life events through photos and video headlines. The platform aims to connect citizen journalists with major news organizations, facilitating real-time coverage of significant events as they unfold. By leveraging the contributions of everyday users, NowPublic enhances the diversity and immediacy of news reporting, providing a unique perspective on current affairs.

Borderfree is a provider of cross-border e-commerce solutions, enabling retailers in the United States to connect with consumers in around 100 countries and territories. Established in 1999 and headquartered in New York, the company offers a proprietary technology and services platform that manages the entire international e-commerce order lifecycle. This includes multi-currency pricing, payment processing, landed cost calculation, customs clearance, global logistics orchestration, and international fraud management. Borderfree serves a diverse clientele, including retailers, department stores, and brands in sectors such as apparel, jewelry, sporting goods, and home decor. Initially founded as FiftyOne, the company rebranded to Borderfree in 2013, reflecting its commitment to facilitating global retail opportunities and enhancing customer experience across borders.