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Mark Barnet P. Eng., CEO and Co-founder of Tightbeam Photonics Inc., and team are working to transform satellite-to-ground communications through laser-based technology to deliver faster, more secure and cost-effective connections between space and Earth. A Second Place and People's Choice Award winner in the Late-Stage category at the 2026 Desjardins Startup Prize, Mark credits the competition with helping validate Tightbeam's vision while building the connections, confidence and momentum needed to take the next step as a company. An active member of U of T's Entrepreneurship ecosystem through UTEST, University of Toronto, Tightbeam has continued to access mentorship, industry expertise and commercialization support as the company gears up for its next stage of growth. Hear from Mark on why the Desjardins Startup Prize was more than a competition in Beyond the Prize. Applications are now open for the Desjardins Startup Prize. Apply by November 18. https://lnkd.in/g_sGXxVC

After 17 cavities, Vishar Yaghoubian stopped asking how to prevent the next one and started asking why oral health hadn't evolved. The answer was Toothpod, the world's first dental smart gum. A U of T public health graduate and CEO and Co-founder of Toothpod, Vishar pitched on stage at the 2024 Desjardins Startup Prize, earning Third Place and using the award to bring the company's first products and packaging to life. But the impact went far beyond the prize money. The competition opened doors to mentors, advisors and valuable connections across U of T's Entrepreneurship ecosystem, helping Vishar gain the support needed to move her venture forward. Today, Toothpod has launched across North America and available in 400 clinics across the U.S while partnering with leading organizations in the dental industry. See how the competition helped Vishar go from prize to product in Beyond the Prize. Applications are now open for the Desjardins Startup Prize. Apply by November 18: https://lnkd.in/g_sGXxVC

Don’t miss your chance to learn from Reynold Xin, co-founder of Databricks – one of the world’s fastest growing tech startups. Register today for this free Desjardins Speaker Series talk during Toronto Tech Week.

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