10 Years of Innovation – Members Throughout the Years
In honour of Planet Hatch’s 10 Year, we wanted to highlight some of the amazing talent and innovation that generated successful businesses in our region. Check out the stories of some of Planet Hatch’s members, past and present, to hear how these successful businesses got their start.
Phil Curley – HotSpot Parking
“One time I thought a wall was a white-board wall. It wasn't and I had to get varnish remover to remove the marker from the white wall directly beside the whiteboard wall LOL” - Phil Curley, Founder of HotSpot Parking inc.
Phil joined Planet Hatch in its inaugural year in 2013 with the beginnings of an app that would let users pay for parking on their phone.
“At the time Planet hatch gave us $25,000 and office space which was huge,” said Phil.
With the financial support from Planet Hatch through grants and loans, HotSpot was able to evolve into a full parking management service for over 150+ cities, universities, hospitals, and other parking operators.
While you may have used the HotSpot app to pay for your parking or try and locate the bus that’s running late, you might not have realized the app got its start with an office space at Planet Hatch.
And while Phil had to learn the hard way that not all the white walls at Planet Hatch were whiteboard walls, he has done an excellent job of growing his business and giving back to the business community.
Asif Hasan – NeuroAI
“[Planet Hatch’s] commitment to fostering an inclusive community has not only helped me but also countless other newcomers turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.” - Asif Hasan, Co-Founder of NeuroAI
Asif has been actively involved in Planet Hatch and Ignite since the early days of the acceleration space. Through several programs and accelerators at Planet Hatch, Asif was able to launch and grow several companies including Climative (formerly SimpTek) and NeuroAI.
“A pivotal moment was participating in an early accelerator program at Planet Hatch,” said Asif, “The connections made and the mentorship received there played a crucial role in transforming our ideas into successful ventures.”
Through his leadership, Climative is now a leading company in low-carbon solutions, and NeuroAI is revolutionizing neurodiversity assessment using AI.
Alongside his involvement in the entrepreneurial space, Asif has also become an active and dedicated member of the community. He is a supporter of entrepreneurship, a recipient of Fredericton’s Community Recognition Award, and a dedicated foster parent.
“The Startup Visa program not only secured my status but also fostered a deep sense of belonging, enabling me to thrive as an entrepreneur in New Brunswick,” said Asif.
Asif's journey not only highlights the significant role that immigrant entrepreneurs play in driving innovation and economic growth, but also highlights the commitment and contribution that immigrants make to our communities.
Kenneth Kent, Amir Akbari, and Farough Motasemi – Anessa Biogas Software
“Amir, Farough and I have fond memories of our early days at Planet Hatch where we sat at two tables that were in a row on the back wall. Each time one of us received a call, needed a bio break or a refill on our coffee, we would have to file out in order so the person on the inside could get out and then file back in to our seats to continue work!” - Kenneth Kent, Co-Founder of Anessa Biogas
While the Anessa team was only at Planet Hatch for a short time after their breakthrough moment of receiving funding, they made the most of their time at the space.
“The large network of people that we met and engaged through our time at Planet Hatch had a big impact on where we are today,” said Kenneth.
They spent their time preparing, planning, and learning all they could to help prepare for their entry in the 2017 NBIF Breakthru competition. Their placement as runners-up gave them a starting point to meet more investors and ultimately find the investments they needed.
“While we moved out of the Planet Hatch space shortly after receiving investment, we stayed close by in Knowledge Park so that we could benefit from the ecosystem that Planet Hatch brings together,” said Kenneth. “Today, I still visit Planet Hatch to meet people in the community and attend various sessions.”
The expert team at Anessa continues to work hard to fulfill their mission of fostering success and sustainability in the biogas sector, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy. By helping clients turn waste into valuable resources, Anessa is making a substantial impact on local and global sustainability efforts.
Natasha Dhayagude – Chinova Bioworks
“Their in-kind resources were crucial in our early stages, and their commitment to fostering a strong community in Fredericton has been invaluable to our continued success.” - Natasha Dhayagude, Co-Founder of Chinova Bioworks
Natasha started out at Planet Hatch as the Entrepreneurial Servies Coordinator. In this role she was able to learn about the ecosystem, make connections, and discover valuable resources for growth.
“This experience was instrumental, offering me incredible opportunities for both personal and professional development,” said Natasha. “It was during one of the events I organized there that I met my co-founder, David Brown.”
Their shared interest in reducing food waste and creating sustainable, clean-label ingredients sparked a partnership that sprouted Chinova Bioworks.
“With Planet Hatch’s ongoing support, we’ve been able to expand our team and leverage the protective qualities of our mushroom fiber extract to enhance product quality, freshness, and shelf life across various food and beverage categories,” said Natasha.
In Chinova’s continued growth and success, the company has also made strides in their promotion of gender diversity in STEM with 90% of their staff being female. They are committed to advancing sustainable practices and driving meaningful change in the food and beverage industry.
Ray Harris – DataWazo
“In 2020 after the world of in person networking had been rocked by the pandemic and people were desperately fed up with Zoom, Planet Hatch creatively hosted the founders forum event in the parking lot behind the building. The always excellent event was even more remarkable with the outdoor setting, massive tent and lovely opportunity to see people face to face again.” - Ray Harris, Founder of DataWazo
As a member since 2018, Ray is the longest standing member currently at Planet Hatch. He has become a pillar of the community and a mascot for our fun office space.
“In the beginning, Planet Hatch saved me from myself, offering a professional workspace that allowed me to get out my home office and find comfort in an organized environment with people who shared my entrepreneurial interests,” said Ray.
From his fun t-shirts to his generous donation of the treadmill desk, Ray is always happy to help make Planet Hatch a fun and inviting place to work.
“[Planet Hatch] allowed me to be flexible in my space so that I could grow a team without worrying about where we were going to collaborate,” said Ray. “They are also always quick with a helpful name from their network of partners when I hit a business roadblock that I cannot overcome alone.“
During his time at Planet Hatch, we’ve seen Ray not only expand his business to include 100 clients over 5 continents, but we’ve also been able to see him expand his team and welcome new members to the Planet Hatch space.
Kevin Leboeuf – Educated Beards
“If you want to start a business, this is where you need to be.” - Alicia Phillips, co-founder of Educated Beards
Kevin and his wife and co-founder, Alicia, began their entrepreneurial journeys in 2016 when Kevin was released from the Canadian Armed Forces after 14 years of service and started to grow a beard for the first time.
The need for functional beard grooming products that were free from harsh toxic chemicals sparked the creation of Educated Beards.
With help from Planet Hatch programs and funding, Kevin and Alicia have now expanded the brand into an all-natural and organic men’s grooming company that is sold internationally. It includes beard oils. Their lineup includes all-natural beard and hair care essentials including oils, balms, and grooming accessories.
Kevin, dubbed a serial entrepreneur, is also the owner of Bark Media a Full Funnel E-commerce Growth Agency.
The Educated Beards team continues to give back to the community and have been involved in several of our workshops and programs that will help the next generation of entrepreneurs successfully grow their businesses.
Cindy Lidster – Atlantic College of Applied Health Sciences ACAHS
“At that time Adam was working with PH and he told me "In all my years of doing this I have never seen the team approve someone for funding, with a unanimous vote, so quickly. You are a Rockstar." Those words still are locked in my head today so that when those little doubts creep in, I remember those words and I carry on vagabond!” - Cindy Lidster, Founder of the Atlantic College of Applied Health Sciences
Taking her years of experience working in the healthcare system, Cindy is transforming the future of healthcare education with the Atlantic College of Applied Health Sciences (ACAHS).
ACAHS is a regulated career college registered under the Private Occupational Act. It is also a Designated Learning Institute where they can work with international students to obtain their Study Permits from IRCC.
Her innovative model combines the best of online learning and in person practicums in the student's community. Cindy aims to remove barriers and cater to the individual students' learning needs.
She started her journey at Planet Hatch, making cold calls and working hard to realize her dream.
“Planet Hatch gave me the physical space, positive energy, money, connections, motivation and validated my dream every chance they had,” said Cindy.
Her passion and dedication to her work is evident in the success and accomplishments of ACAHS. She has since grown out of her corner office at Planet Hatch and has moved on to a larger space within Knowledge Park but is always present to support other entrepreneurs at various networking events and workshops.
She has even started a bursary in Planet Hatch’s name to help further break down barriers to education.
Colum Connolly – Bloom Funding
“A special highlight for me was the sense of community and support I felt from day one. The team at Planet Hatch has been both friendly and helpful, making it our Fredericton home away from home.” - Colum Connolly, Founder of Bloom Funding
Colum is an entrepreneur driven by continuous learning and a passion for making a positive impact.
“My experience with Planet Hatch has been transformative in both my personal and professional journey,” said Colum.
Not only was Colum able to fulfil his love of learning through our various programs and accelerators, but he was also able to find the opportunity for him and his wife, Elizabeth, to grow their business in a supportive and innovative environment. “The startup ecosystem at Planet Hatch provided just that,” said Colum.
“Planet Hatch was instrumental in helping us secure an impact loan, which allowed us to hire our first employee in 2020.”
With the growth of Bloom Funding (formerly Colum Consultants), Colum and his team have empowered others to thrive while making a lasting impact on the world around them.
They have raised over 16 million dollars for their clients and continue to grow their impact in the region through consulting on social and environmental sustainability.
“We are particularly proud to be the fundraising partner of the Center for Youth Care in Saint John, as they launch a capital campaign to build supportive housing for youth ages 19-25,” said Colum. “We are passionate about leveraging our expertise to help organizations thrive and make a positive impact on society.”
Xavier Hebert-Couturier – Picketa Systems
“Planet Hatch and their team have been present and helpful in the launch of our company, Picketa Systems. Providing space, connections and resources to establish ourselves as a startup.” - Xavier Hebert-Couturier, Founder of Picketa Systems
There has been rapid growth of the Picketa team during their time at Planet Hatch. From the growth of the team itself to the growth of the company and the production of their new LENS device, Picketa continues to use the resources at Planet Hatch to drive the success of their business.
“We've benefited from the Planet Hatch spaces to plan our company's trajectory, work collaboratively and even develop hardware,” said Xavier.
There’s always at least a few members of the Picketa team that can be found at Planet Hatch working hard in the coworking space. While the success of the company can be based on the dedication of the team, it also stems from their ability to work well together and have fun at the same time.
Planet Hatch witnessed the progression of their portable LENS device, which involved lots of boxes, some intimidating-looking equipment, and several ears of corn. But the Picketa team, in their confidence and expertise, were able to create a truly impressive and innovative product.
Picketa Systems offers real-time plant analysis for precision nutrient management. The innovative LENS device transforms nutrient assessment and empowers agronomists and farmers with rapid, accurate insights to optimize crop health and yields.
Ray Fitzpatrick – Profitual
“The support from the Ignite team truly helped us get Profitual started.” Ray Fitzpatrick, Co-Founder of Profitual
Ray Fitzpatrick is a seasoned expert in the entrepreneurial landscape. Ray knows what investors are looking for and helps founders nail down the essentials like team-building, product development, and navigating the market.
With support from Planet Hatch and Ignite, Ray was able to expand Profitual with the hiring of their early development team.
“Having the ability to bring on an additional hire maximized what we were able to build as an MVP, and played a crucial role in our ability to raise our first round of financing,” said Ray.
Profitual is a web-based financial planning platform built for startup founders. They help startups build their financial models and operate their businesses better.
In its first year, Profitual has already made a significant impact, supporting early-stage founders in closing over $20M CAD in equity financing.
By growing Profital, Ray and his team are able to guide founders through the complexities of team-building, product development, and market strategy, empowering them to attract investment and achieve sustainable growth.
Ashwini Oke – ASETS-CA
“[Recently] several of our team members graduated from their programs and we were super excited to celebrate with them. Even though there was a bigger event happening at Planet Hatch, Tara still invited us out to use the public space to celebrate with our team. It's the little things like this that make a big impact on a small (but growing!) company like ours.” - Ashwini Oke, Founder of ASETS
Ashwini is the visionary behind ASETS, a company revolutionizing engineering design with innovative 3D CAD alternatives and factory design software.
“At the core of our mission lies the belief that engineers are the architects of a better tomorrow. They are the problem-solvers and innovators who drive progress,” said Ashwini.
There has been amazing growth in the ASETS team since they joined Planet Hatch and it has been a pleasure to join them in celebrating their success. Ashwini and her team are also actively involved in the community and greatly appreciate the welcoming atmosphere at Planet Hatch. They find it an inspiring environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.
“We're especially grateful for having Tara and the team take the time to do introductions with every member of our own team,” said Ashwini. With so much growth in the last year, the personal introductions and friendly faces have been pivotal for the team to ease into their new location.
“Having this as part of our onboarding has made a huge impact in making our team feel like part of the company.”
ASETS is committed to fostering a culture that embraces change and adaptation. Through continuous learning and collaboration, they aim to equip engineers with the resources and support they need to tackle the world's most critical challenges and contribute to a brighter future for all.