Eighteen months ago, Ashish Deshmukh was stocking shelves at Home Depot, working part-time while pursuing his Master's in Management at Crandall University. Today, he's the Founder and CEO of Clearance Central AI Solutions Inc., Canada's first AI-powered clearance discovery marketplace — with over 800 active users within the first 15 days of deployment and a team of six.

The Venn Innovation Garage is no longer just an incubator. It’s a force multiplier for innovation in Atlantic Canada.

When Youssef and Younes Outahajala first stepped through the doors of Venn Innovation a year ago, they weren’t yet entrepreneurs, they were high school students full of curiosity and ambition. A year later, they returned to Venn with their own experimental project to participate in the SparkChange Pitch Competition, their very first experience pitching an idea.

Amibola and Franck’s stories embody what Tech Connect is all about building bridges between international talent and Canada’s growing tech industry. Through collaboration, mentorship, and real-world project experience, they’ve not only gained valuable skills but also enriched their teams with fresh perspectives and cultural insight.

On September 17th, our space came alive as Venn Innovation hosted two incredible gatherings: the Startup Global Pop-up Pitch Competition with Startup Canada and the Startup Atlantic Kitchen Party: Collide & Connect.

As Ali and Oleksandra take their next steps toward careers in software development and quality assurance, their stories remind us of the importance of creating opportunities that bridge skills, cultures, and communities. Tech Connect is proud to have supported their journeys, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in Canada’s tech sector and beyond.

This inaugural group of participants has spent the past months immersed in paid work placements, mentorship, and training, while making real contributions to our community. Through projects with the Family Resource Centre and the BCCCNB, they’ve shown just how quickly skilled IT professionals can step in, solve problems, and create meaningful impact when given the opportunity.

Sixteen Indigenous founders took the stage in the first round, presenting ideas that ranged from early-stage concepts to businesses already making an impact. For us at Venn Innovation, the Elsipogtog Pow Wow Pitch was more than a competition. It was a reminder that innovation is not only about technology—it’s about people, culture, and community.

Venn’s Tech Connect program is designed to help internationally trained professionals gain Canadian work experience, strengthen technical and professional skills, and connect with the local tech community. Today, we’re excited to highlight two recent graduates who made a big impact during their time in the program.

When it comes to beauty, sustainability is often left out of the conversation. For Aaliyah Lahai, that gap was impossible to ignore.