Following yesterday’s Waterloo Region Aero Expo 2026, the energy and innovation thriving within our region and across this country has never been more apparent. Our aviation, aerospace, and defence ecosystem is built on the collaboration between forward-thinking entrepreneurs and the infrastructure that supports them. As AeroWR continues to foster strategic growth across the sector, our commitment to the next generation of aerospace technology remains the foundation of our mission.
Empowering Innovation in Waterloo Region
The Aerospace Accelerator program, developed in partnership with the Accelerator Centre, Skywise (an Airbus Digital Services Company), and the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF), serves as the launchpad for early-stage startups and scale-ups. Since our inaugural cohort graduated in July 2025, the program has provided founders with crucial mentorship, industry connections, and the resources necessary to commercialize their technologies.
With YKF as a partner, participants have potential access to a real-world airport testing environment. This growing infrastructure allows our cohort members to safely push the boundaries of advanced air mobility, ground operations, and sustainable flight right in their own backyard.
Meet the Cohort 3 Visionaries
After an extensive review of many applications, we have selected 10 exceptional companies ready to transform the industry. We are proud to welcome:
AeroGalactica
Developing a computational-engineering platform connecting design, meshing, simulation, and optimization for aerospace teams, with an initial focus on rapidly testing hypersonic vehicle designs (https://aerogalactica.com)
Aerova
Establishing an autonomous air-logistics service for remote communities by integrating established aircraft with fleet software and ground infrastructure for medical deliveries, community resupply, and Arctic operations. (https://www.aerova.ca)
AutoAlign AI
Creating Visor, a tool that captures practical knowledge from experienced technicians and translates it into standardized, point-of-work guidance for aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, and repair teams. (https://www.autoalign.ai)
Control Core
Providing an inline cybersecurity gateway that protects APIs and AI systems within digital aerospace supply chains by applying real-time access rules and blocking unauthorized actions. (https://controlcore.io)
Forward Robotics Inc.
Building the U9HL, an autonomous electric fixed-wing VTOL aircraft designed for precise, on-demand, and pilotless aerial crop spraying across large agricultural acreages. (https://forwardrobotics.com)
GlycoTech
Designing field-deployable electrochemical monitors to track ethylene glycol in airport stormwater, providing continuous real-time data to manage de-icing runoff and ensure environmental compliance. (https://www.glycotech.ca)
MMSENSE Technologies Inc.
Developing compact millimetre-wave imaging sensors mountable on robots to automate runway and taxiway debris scanning, significantly improving airport safety and operational efficiency. (https://mmsense.com)
Stratodynamics Aviation Inc.
Building HiDRON, a balloon-launched high-altitude RPAS platform carrying a 5G payload to act as a stratospheric cell tower, targeting improved connectivity for rural and remote telecom networks. (https://www.stratodynamics.ca)
TensorOne Inc.
Delivering a modular counter-UAS platform for airports and critical infrastructure that combines optical, acoustic, RF, and optional radar sensors with edge AI to neutralize low-flying drone threats. (https://www.tensor-one.com)
Xubin Aerospace
Creating Eagle Vision, a passive detection system that tracks small drones by observing air disturbances, adding a crucial security layer for airports and defence sites without relying on radar or radio signals. (https://xubinaerospace.com)
We are incredibly excited to welcome these 10 companies to the AeroWR community. We look forward to working closely with them over the coming months as they develop their technologies and scale their businesses here in Waterloo Region. Stay tuned to our channels; we can’t wait to share their milestones and progress with you as their innovative ideas take off!
