Innovation Showcase Puts Ottawa Startups in the Spotlight
By: Bayview Yards
13-minute read
2635 words
Step inside the lobby of Bayview Yards and you might stumble upon something extraordinary, such as a fleet of autonomous drones, a snow-clearing robot, or a cutting-edge EV charger ready to change the way we power our world. This isn’t science fiction. It’s the Innovation Showcase & Demonstration Series – a new initiative designed to spotlight the brightest ideas and boldest technologies being developed right here in Ottawa.
Each month, Bayview Yards transforms into a launchpad for local startups to display their work, demo their inventions, and connect with the city’s innovation community. Whether it’s defence tech, robotics, clean energy, or AI, these aren’t just prototypes – they’re glimpses into the future.
In this blog, we’re highlighting the incredible companies that have already taken the stage and offering a preview of what’s coming next. Innovation lives here. And it’s just getting started.
What is the Bayview Yards Innovation Showcase & Demonstration?
Bayview Yards has launched an exciting new initiative this year: the Innovation Showcase & Demonstration Series. Designed to spotlight groundbreaking tech innovation, this opportunity provides a platform for local companies to share their latest advancements with the broader innovation community.
The program features two key components. First, the Innovation Showcase Display offers innovators the chance to feature their technology in the heart of Ottawa’s Innovation Hub. For one month, selected technologies are displayed in the high-traffic lobby space, complete with a table, stanchioned-off area, and a digital screen for promotional content or live demos.
To complement the display, participants also take part in a Demo Day—an opportunity to present their innovation in more depth, answer questions, and engage directly with the community.
Together, the showcase and demonstration create a dynamic environment for connection, visibility, and inspiration. For innovators, it’s a powerful opportunity to increase exposure, spark conversations, and expand their reach within Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem. For the Bayview Yards community, it’s a chance to stay ahead of the curve, discover emerging technologies, learn about local breakthroughs, and build new collaborations.
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Meet Ottawa’s Innovators Taking Centre Stage
Spotlight on InDro Robotics
Autonomous Tech that Moves the World
Company Overview: As a valued member of the Bayview Yards innovation community, InDro Robotics plays a leading role in advancing robotics and drone technology. With a strong focus on engineering and operations, the company is driven by a mission to make complex tasks easier, safer, and more efficient through the power of autonomous systems.
Their innovations span a wide range of applications, including data collection, surveillance, and delivery, helping to redefine what’s possible in industries where precision and speed are critical.
A key partner of both Invest Ottawa and Area X.O., InDro Robotics has contributed to high-profile events such as GCXpo, sharing their expertise and helping shape Canada’s autonomous systems landscape. In addition to their core work, they support early-stage robotics ventures by providing mentorship, strategic advice, and access to valuable resources, fueling the next generation of innovation.
Demonstration Overview: For their Innovation Showcase, InDro Robotics transformed the Bayview Yards lobby into an immersive, hands-on robotics experience. Attendees explored a diverse lineup of autonomous robots and drones, each designed to solve real-world problems with speed and precision. From delivery systems to surveillance solutions, the showcase emphasized the versatility and impact of InDro’s technologies.
The Demo Day session was led by Luke Corbeth, who delivered a dynamic, entrepreneur-focused presentation. Using visuals and live demonstrations, Luke walked attendees through the development, deployment, and potential of InDro’s systems, sharing behind-the-scenes insights from their innovation journey.
The interactive setup offered a glimpse into the future of autonomous tech and inspired the Bayview Yards community to envision how these tools could transform their own work.
“Bayview Yards is invaluable to our company. Through the community on site, we gain access to other innovative entrepreneurs developing state-of-the-art technology. The facility gives us the opportunity to build and test our technology effectively.”
- Luke Corbeth, Indro Robotics
Spotlight on Ottawa University
Student Innovation with Real-World Impact
Company Overview: A standout example of student-driven innovation, the Ottawa Autonomous Vehicle Group (OAVG)—in partnership with University of Ottawa Autonomous Vehicles (UOAV) and the John McEntyre Team Space (JMTS)—is developing cutting-edge autonomous technology while building the next generation of engineering talent.
These competitive student teams design and build complex prototypes, such as autonomous vehicles, rockets, and race cars, which are then showcased at national and international engineering competitions. Their mantra? Collaborate. Build. Compete.
The John McEntyre Team Space provides the infrastructure and collaborative environment needed to bring these ambitious projects to life. More than just a workshop, it’s a launchpad for experiential learning, mentorship, and innovation. Through our Bayview Yards Meetup Program, we’ve proudly supported OAVG’s work and cultivated strong ties with the University of Ottawa, one of our key post-secondary institution partners. This collaboration bridges academic excellence with real-world application, empowering students to push technological boundaries while connecting with Ottawa’s broader innovation ecosystem.
Demonstration Overview: For their Innovation Showcase appearance, OAVG brought their ingenuity to life in a truly Canadian way – with a live demo of their autonomous snow plow. Held in the Bayview Yards parking lot, the demonstration allowed attendees to witness the prototype in action as it autonomously cleared snow while navigating its environment with precision.
The student-led team didn’t just show off the tech – they shared their entire journey, from ideation to execution, offering an inspiring look at what can be achieved through collaboration, dedication, and innovation. With hot chocolate in hand, members of the Bayview Yards community gathered outdoors to celebrate this exciting achievement and experience firsthand how local talent is shaping the future of autonomous mobility.
“The Innovation Showcase & Demonstration series at Bayview Yards was a terrific way to connect with the community and share the Autonomous Snowplow project. People were very engaged, asking questions and sparking imagination.
The showcase helped with project visibility. At the time, the snow clearing crew were in full force with their gargantuan machines in front of Bayview Yards. One operator shouted out hoping we could pause for a picture.
The team met with other users of the space, some involved in startups. The reception was fantastic and some people offered advice and encouragement for future work.”
- Nick Schmidt, Ottawa Autonomous Vehicle Meetup Group, University of Ottawa
Spotlight on AirShare
Reimagining Defence with Smart Counter-UAS Systems
Company Overview: AirShare is redefining the future of autonomous defence. As the threat of low-cost, commercially available drones continues to rise, particularly for surveillance and tactical attacks, traditional countermeasures have struggled to adapt. AirShare responds to this critical challenge with the OVERWATCH® Interceptor missile system: a non-lethal, low-collateral solution designed to disable drones of all sizes with remarkable precision and cost-efficiency.
What sets OVERWATCH® apart is its patent-pending CASPER™ countermeasures, which physically disrupt a drone’s flight by entangling propellers, blocking air intakes, or interfering with onboard sensors. Designed for rapid deployment and priced under $5,000 per unit, the system is accessible to both military and civilian operators, offering a new standard in drone defence.
As a corporate tenant at Bayview Yards and a key player in the Invest Ottawa and Area X.O ecosystem, AirShare is helping shape the national conversation around autonomous systems and counter-UAS innovation. Their presence at events like GCXpo further underscores their role as a leader in Canadian defence tech.
Demonstration Overview: AirShare’s participation in the March Innovation Showcase left a powerful impression, turning the Bayview Yards lobby into a showcase of tactical technology.
Their semi-static installation featured a turret with cutaway launch tubes displaying mock-up interceptor missiles, as a nearby screen ran a live simulator of the OVERWATCH® system in action, giving attendees a chance to explore its capabilities in real time.
Demo Day on March 27 took things to the next level. Outside Bayview Yards, AirShare presented an operational vehicle equipped with a functional turret and C2 system, giving participants a rare, up-close look at how the technology would be deployed in the field. A dynamic 20-minute presentation guided the audience through the system’s features, complete with video demonstrations and interactive elements that encouraged engagement. The session offered a compelling look into the future of drone defence and showcased how Canadian innovation is rising to meet global challenges.
“For us, the Showcase & Demonstration opportunity was very unique and timely as it preceded CANSEC, one of the largest trade shows in our space. By having a month of showcase at Bayview Yards, as well as an interactive demo day our team was able to practice our pitch and refine our display.
We found out what works and what doesn’t, made changes throughout the month, and on-boarded our tradeshow team. So, in addition to exposure to potential collaborators and government, we were able to leverage the Showcase & Demonstration to have an even larger impact at CANSEC.
Our messaging was tighter, our display was more impactful, and our team was ready, and it showed: we nailed two contracts during CANSEC (these usually take months or years). We couldn’t have been this ready and had this impact without the Bayview Yards showcase.”
- Rick Whittaker, co-founder and ceo, AirShare
Spotlight on Four DRobotics
Security Solutions for the Most Demanding Environments
Company Overview: Four DRobotics is a powerhouse of innovation in autonomous security systems, combining expertise in robotics, physical defence, AI, and mechatronics to bring forward-thinking technology to life. Their core mission? To replace traditionally manned patrol vehicles in demanding environments with intelligent, autonomous alternatives.
As a proud Canadian-owned company, Four DRobotics is conducting advanced research, development, and testing at Invest Ottawa’s L5 Testing Facility, North America’s only all-season autonomous vehicle test site.
At the heart of their innovation is the Four DRobot®, an AI-enabled autonomous vehicle designed for continuous, unmanned physical security patrols. Their unique Autonomous Vehicle as a Service platform transforms conventional vehicles into intelligent, uncrewed systems capable of operating as a coordinated team. Built for environments that are dull, dirty, or dangerous for humans, Four DRobotics’ solutions aim to improve safety, reduce operational costs, and enable round-the-clock functionality 365 days a year.
Demonstration Overview: At the Innovation Showcase, Four DRobotics presented their flagship product, the Four DRobot®, offering an up-close look at its real-world potential. This all-season autonomous patrol vehicle demonstrated how AI and robotics can modernize and enhance physical security systems in high-stakes settings like airports, critical infrastructure, and even extraterrestrial terrain.
Set up in Bayview Yards’ front lot, the demonstration highlighted the vehicle’s intelligent navigation, sensor systems, and mission capabilities. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with the Four DRobotics team and learn about the complex systems behind the technology, from embedded software to autonomous decision-making. It was a compelling demonstration of Canadian ingenuity in motion, showcasing how Four DRobotics is leading the charge in redefining what’s possible for autonomous mobility and security.
Spotlight on Yarmand
Sustainable Tools for Everyday Life
Company Overview: YARMAND has been a trusted name in Ottawa for over 20 years, specializing in high-quality outdoor power equipment for both residential and commercial use.
Whether it’s light construction tools, lawn care essentials, or garden equipment, YARMAND serves homeowners, landscapers, and property managers with top-tier products, expert servicing, and reliable parts.
As a participant in GCXpo 2024 and a dedicated member of Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem, YARMAND is committed to both excellence and sustainability. Their business is guided by a simple but powerful belief: peace of mind should come standard.
YARMAND’s customer-first philosophy makes property maintenance easier and less stressful, helping people spend more time with the ones they love. The company also takes environmental stewardship seriously, planting a tree for every piece of equipment sold through its Plant a Tree Project—an initiative rooted in their vision of sustainable growth and community well-being.
Demonstration Overview: As part of the Innovation Showcase, YARMAND highlighted the evolving role of outdoor power equipment in modern life. Their presence featured cutting-edge tools and technologies designed to make property care more efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly.
The demonstration allowed guests to engage with some of their most advanced offerings, sparking conversations around eco-friendly solutions and smart equipment for the future. YARMAND’s showcase wasn’t just about machinery—it was about a movement. Their interactive display reinforced their mission to simplify life for customers while staying deeply connected to environmental and community values.
Whether for backyard maintenance or large-scale landscaping, YARMAND showed how innovation in outdoor equipment can make a meaningful difference.
“Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the Innovation Showcase & Demonstration series at Bayview Yards. It was a fantastic platform for us to share our vision for the future of grounds care and demonstrate how battery-powered and robotic solutions can transform landscaping.
The event gave us valuable exposure to a diverse audience – from innovators and partners to potential clients. and the real-time feedback and interest we received were incredibly validating. Participating also helped us strengthen local connections and reaffirmed the growing demand for sustainable, tech-forward solutions in our industry.
We’re proud to be part of Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem and appreciate the chance to contribute.”
- Masood Yarmand, Co-founder, YARMAND ePowerd
Spotlight on JPlug
Plugging Into the Future of EV Charging
Company Overview: JPlug is revolutionizing the EV charging experience with its compact, mobile, and user-friendly electric vehicle charging units.
Designed and built in Ottawa, their chargers offer a flexible alternative to permanent charging infrastructure—ideal for events, temporary installations, pilot programs, and spaces not yet equipped for long-term EV solutions. Their mission is to make EV charging more accessible and adaptable, helping municipalities, businesses, and property owners accelerate their shift to electrification with minimal barriers. Backed by a strong team of engineers, product designers, and entrepreneurs, JPlug is currently beta testing and refining its technology with real users across the region.
As a proud participant in the Invest Ottawa ecosystem and a rising voice in Canada’s cleantech community, JPlug is positioning itself as a leader in next-generation charging innovation. With sustainability at the core of their mission, they’re building smart solutions for a smarter energy future.
Demonstration Overview: For their Innovation Showcase, JPlug brought a fully functional EV charging unit into the Bayview Yards lobby space, offering a hands-on experience that combined form, function, and future thinking. Sleek, compact, and plug-and-play ready, the system was designed to demonstrate how easy it can be to bring EV infrastructure to places where traditional chargers are impractical or cost-prohibitive.
Their Demo Day session included a walkthrough of key features, live Q&A, and real-world use cases—from city festivals and workplace parking lots to off-grid locations. The JPlug team also shared early usage metrics from pilot sites, illustrating how their flexible solution is already making an impact.
For attendees, it was a powerful look at how Ottawa’s cleantech startups are driving forward climate-friendly innovation – one plug at a time.
Looking Ahead
We extend our sincere thanks to the incredible companies who participated in the inaugural Innovation Showcase & Demonstration Series. From student-led breakthroughs to industry-shaping technologies, each participant brought forward bold ideas and real-world solutions that are shaping the future of innovation right here in Ottawa.
This is only the beginning. Starting this fall, we’ll be welcoming a new wave of local startups into the spotlight, featuring advancements in defence, virtual reality, autonomous technology, and more. These innovators are building the future, and we’re proud to provide a platform for them to share their work with our community.
Stay tuned as the Innovation Showcase continues to grow, spotlighting the people, technologies, and big ideas driving change across our ecosystem.
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