UCalgary’s Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking brings 10 startups to Web Summit 2025

Later this month, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking will be at the 2025 Web Summit, a gathering of the world's tech community, in Vancouver. 

The Hunter Hub is supporting 10 of the University of Calgary’s most promising startups at Web Summit. These ventures, founded by students, researchers and alumni, have been supported by the Hunter Hub through various programming, mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities, and a rich community driven by entrepreneurial thinking and creative innovation.

Read on to learn more about each UCalgary startup attending Web Summit. 

Bondr

Bondr is a social discovery platform on a mission to end digital loneliness by connecting students and young professionals through activities (bonds). Users effortlessly create bonds using personalized activity suggestions, instantly reaching others with matching interests. By shifting connections from screens to shared experiences, bondr builds vibrant, authentic communities offline.

Leon Pluns, Founder, and Pablo Mugnaini, Operations, will represent Bondr at Web Summit. 

Maple Scan 

Want to shop Canadian-first? Maple Scan makes it easy. Just snap a picture of any product and instantly learn about its Canadian ties and discover local alternatives. By leveraging a growing database of products and companies, Maple Scan empowers consumers to support Canadian businesses, reduce reliance on imported goods, and make more conscious shopping choices.

Sasha Ivanov, Founder and CEO, and Setareh Aghel Manesh, HCI & AI Researcher, will represent Maple Scan at Web Summit.

CraftXR Technologies Inc. 

CraftXR Technologies transforms workforce training through AI-powered feedback and immersive XR simulations—extended reality, encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR)—equipping professionals with the emotional intelligence and skills to excel, starting in healthcare. Its vision is to build a world where emotionally intelligent professionals create workplaces where people and performance thrive together.

Farzana Aktar, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Hamza Afzaal, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, will represent CraftXR Technologies at Web Summit. 

MLCan

MLCan is developing the smart flow meter, an AI-driven multiphase flow measurement solution for the oil and gas industry. Its mission is to enhance operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and optimize resource management through cutting-edge AI and sensor technology. By providing accurate real-time flow data, MLCan empowers energy producers to make informed decisions, improving sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Mohammad Abbaspour, Co-founder and CEO and Mohammad Mansouri, Co-founder and COO, will represent MLCan at Web Summit. 

Fibrodynamx

FibroDynamx is a drug target discovery company. Its first product, a protein-based drug, prevents scar formation and promotes skin regeneration for severe skin injuries. The identification of its first drug candidate was informed by pioneering research using reindeer, where skin on the antler, called velvet, heals without scar. This regenerative model, combined with human datasets from burn patients and in silico modelling—using computer models to simulate physiological or pharmacological processes—functions as a platform to identify and rank potential drug targets.

Nicole Rosin, PhD, Co-founder & CEO, will represent FibroDynamx at Web Summit. 

SyncMed Technologies Inc. 

SyncMed Technologies Inc. is a healthcare innovation company led by clinicians and academics, focused on improving communication and continuity of care during emergency medical handovers. Its flagship product, the EMS2ED app, streamlines the transfer of critical patient information from paramedics to emergency department staff, enhancing patient safety and reducing cognitive load for frontline providers. SyncMed's mission is to bridge communication gaps in emergency care through practical, user-centered technology built by those who understand the challenges firsthand.

Kate Ewing, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, and Brandon Blondeau, Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder, will represent SyncMed at Web Summit. 

Campus Buddy

Campus Buddy is the ultimate student engagement platform, connecting university students to events, clubs, groups, and a campus marketplace. They make campus life more connected, accessible, and engaging while providing businesses with a direct way to reach students.

James Mtendamema, Co-Founder and CEO, Jennifer Igwe, Co-Founder and COO, and Yang Liu, Co-Founder and CBO, will represent Campus Buddy at Web Summit. 

Dev Search

Dev Search addresses the component selection problem in component-based software development (CBSD). Each piece of software is composed of hundreds or thousands of free or paid components that work in the background, providing services for code developed primarily in response to solving a problem. Given the variety of off-the-shelf options available, selecting the right one is a challenging task for developers. Manually collecting, reading, understanding, and comparing information is no longer feasible. Dev Search leverages AI to analyze developer discussions and extract insights about different options.

Mahdi Jaberzadeh Ansari, Founder and CEO, and Seyed Tauhid Ullah Shah, Founder and CTO, will represent Dev Search at Web Summit. 

Phanvic X

Phanvic X is an affordable AI-powered study companion that helps organize notes, create study materials, and expand knowledge beyond the classroom. Its primary solution, Study Season is designed to be a student’s ultimate study partner. Unlike general chatbots, it's curriculum-aware, understanding the context of coursework to provide more accurate help when summarizing complex lecture notes or answering specific questions.

Junyu Huo, Co-Founder and CEO, Ziad Hamed, Co-Founder and COO, and Adrina Sadeghian, Marketing and Operations Specialist, will represent Phanvic X at Web Summit. 

nLITEn Tech

nLITEn Tech gives artists and performers the power to engage with technology in ways that resonate without sacrificing creativity.

Sydney Pratte, Founder and Director of R&D, will represent nLITEn Tech at Web Summit. 

Planning to attend Web Summit? Visit Booth E122 to connect with the next wave of changemakers here at the University of Calgary.