Breakthrough science is only the beginning. This panel will explore how strong founding teams help translate promising life sciences research into venture-backable companies—and why the people behind an innovation are critical to attracting early-stage investment.
Hear practical perspectives from experienced founders and investors on what makes a team investable, how researchers can build complementary commercial capabilities, and the role of co-founders, advisors, and industry partners in advancing a venture.
This session is designed for researchers, faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, life sciences founders, investors, and commercialization professionals interested in building and supporting successful research-driven ventures.
UCeed is one of Canada’s most active pre-seed investors in health and life sciences, supporting researchers and founders at the earliest stages of venture creation.
Panelists:
Dr. Jehangir Appoo, MD (Founding Partner, AioT Health VC Fund)
Dr. Pere Santamaria, MD, Ph.D (CSO & Founder of Parvus Therapeutics Inc.)
Jord Cowan (VP Operations, Parvus Therapeutics Inc.)
Dr. John H. Wong, MD (Co-founder & CEO of Fluid Biomed Inc., Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at UCalgary)
Moderated By:
Pete Santosham (Executive Director, UCeed)
Curious about how people are actually using AI in filmmaking? Join us for the inaugural AI Film Club – Calgary, a relaxed evening of tool sharing, creative showcases, and conversation. Meet local filmmakers, artists, and curious creatives, see what others are experimenting with, and discover tools and workflows you might explore yourself. The focus is on showing, sharing, and comparing notes. You don’t need any AI experience, a finished project, or a laptop to join. Come to watch, ask questions, and connect. Opening talk: Beyond “AI Slop” Where does AI-generated media fit in filmmaking—and when do audiences care? Eric Gonzalez will open with a short talk exploring practical applications for AI-generated media and what makes it useful, meaningful, or forgettable. He’ll consider how audiences respond to AI-made work, ethical choices around creative references—including public-domain material—and the line between inspiration and imitation. An invitation to think more deliberately about what we make, how we make it, and who it’s for. What to expect Tools in context: Discover which tools people are using and how they fit into a creative workflow. Short showcases: Watch clips, demos, and works in progress, with a look at the process behind them. Honest conversation: Hear what worked, what didn’t, and what people are still figuring out. Community: Connect over food and drinks with others exploring AI and filmmaking. The evening’s schedule 5:30 PM — Arrive, grab a bite, and meet everyone Settle in, enjoy some food and drinks, and connect with fellow attendees. 5:45 PM — Welcome and introductions An introduction to AI Film Club – Calgary and what we hope to build together. 5:55 PM — Talks, tool walkthroughs, and creator showcases Eric Gonzalez — 15 minutes: Beyond “AI Slop” — practical applications, audience response, ethical references, and inspiration versus imitation. Nick Rogers — 10 minutes: A showcase from fellow HOUSE 831 member, Calgary organizer, and community build
Come enjoy Calgary’s monthly Grok Bot Meetup. Bring a laptop and a positive, collaborative energy. 📍 Location: ZayZoon HQ, 19th floor of TELUS Sky (685 Centre St S, Calgary) Agenda (America/Edmonton): 5:30 to 6:00 — arrivals and networking (light dinner provided) 6:00 to 6:45 — Grok Bot intro + bot templates and use cases 6:45 to 8:00 — build: bots that run a real workflow end to end with no human in the loop 8:00 to 8:30 — demos + community vote. Prizes: Grok Bot stickers and/or credits Founders, operators, builders, and knowledge workers welcome. No tech background required.
Celebrate Latin American Heritage Month with SOMOS LIT Calgary & ATB Financial 🌎 Join Somos Latinx in Tech Calgary and ‘HoLa’, ATB's Hispanic and Latin American Network for an evening celebrating Latin American Heritage Month and the vibrant contributions of the Latin American community in Calgary and across Canada. This special community gathering will bring together Latinx professionals, tech and business leaders, allies, and community members for an evening of connection, learning, and celebration. Expect an engaging conversation around career growth and navigating your professional journey in a changing world, along with opportunities to meet new people, exchange experiences, and build meaningful connections within the Calgary community. Whether you're looking to expand your network, learn from others, connect with the Latinx community, or simply celebrate our shared heritage, we'd love to have you join us. More details about the speakers and agenda will be announced soon. Stay tuned! Come celebrate where we come from, connect with where we are, and look ahead to where we're going. 💛 All welcome! We invite allies to join us at Somos Latinx in Tech events to celebrate, support, and uplift the Latinx tech community alongside us. About Somos Latinx in Tech Somos Latinx in Tech is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting Latinx professionals to thrive in tech. We host events and programs throughout Canada, encouraging learning, networking, mentorship, and sponsorship, helping them grow their careers and shape the future of tech. www.somoslatinxintech.com