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Version One Ventures

NiaHealth Launches AI Platform for Proactive Health

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Edmonton-based NiaHealth has launched its AI-powered preventative health platform after completing nearly 100,000 biomarker tests in stealth. Backed by $2.5M in funding led by Version One Ventures, the startup offers personalized health insights through advanced diagnostics and clinician-led guidance.

NiaHealth’s platform supports at-home and in-clinic testing across 50+ biomarkers, addressing gaps in Canadian primary care. With 90% of users uncovering unknown risks, early data highlights issues like vitamin D deficiency and pre-diabetes. CEO Sameer Dhar and Clinical Director Tanya ter Keurs aim to shift healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive prevention—delivering accessible, tech-enabled health support nationwide.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Calgary.tech.

Windsor’s Optimotive Lands $2M Seed Round for Autonomous Robots

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Vancouver’s Version One Ventures has led a $2 million seed round in Optimotive, a Windsor-based company building autonomous robots for extreme environments like construction, mining, and oil and gas. The round also saw participation from Garage and NewLab.

Optimotive’s robots, including IRIS and BOX, are designed to handle repetitive and hazardous tasks, making them cost-effective solutions for tough job sites. CEO Scott Fairley leads the company, which is vertically integrated, controlling both hardware and software development. The investment supports Optimotive’s goal to expand its fleet with new robots like MULE and SCRUBBLES.

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

Entrepreneurs, Investor Added to Tech Innovators Hall of Fame

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Boris Wertz and Ray Walia were among those inducted to BC Tech’s Innovators Hall of Fame, which recognizes the role of innovation to BC’s economy by spotlighting leaders who have left a legacy on the province’s technology ecosystem.

Wertz, founder of Version One Ventures, is a local entrepreneur-turned-investor offering capital and wisdom to the Vancouver community for many years. Walia, meanwhile, is cofounder of Vancouver-based tech incubator Launch Academy, which has incubated 6,000 entrepreneurs since 2012. The other two inductees this year were Connie and Allen Eaves, who form the mastermind power couple behind Stemcell Technologies, a company which since its start in the 90’s has grown into Canada’s largest biotechnology firm.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.