ventureLAB has appointed Garry Chan as its new Head of AI Initiatives, reinforcing its mission to propel Canadian innovation in AI, Semiconductor, and MedTech sectors.
Empowering AI Innovation in Canada
ventureLAB, a global leader in supporting enterprise software and hardware startups, has officially named Garry Chan as the Head of AI Initiatives. Since joining ventureLAB in 2019, Chan has played a pivotal role in accelerating AI-driven ventures, and his new position will further solidify Canada’s standing as a global AI powerhouse.
This appointment aligns with ventureLAB’s broader strategy to enhance national competitiveness in AI, MedTech, and semiconductor industries. With over 40 AI startups already benefiting from ventureLAB’s Accelerate AI program, Chan’s leadership will focus on expanding crucial development resources such as the AI Compute Lab and the AI Commercialization Hub.
Ethical AI & Global Collaboration
One of Chan’s primary goals is to drive ethical and responsible AI growth while helping startups overcome the infrastructure and development challenges that often hinder progress. He believes that Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, coupled with strategic investments, can transform AI startups into globally competitive enterprises.
In December 2024, Chan represented ventureLAB at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in Serbia, underscoring the organization’s commitment to ethical AI development. Following the summit, ventureLAB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Serbia’s Science and Technology Parks, fostering international collaborations in AI and semiconductor technology.
Bridging Infrastructure Gaps
ventureLAB’s three-pillar strategy—focusing on AI, MedTech, and Semiconductor industries—aims to close critical gaps in infrastructure, talent, and commercialization. Chan’s leadership will further enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale AI-driven solutions through cutting-edge resources and global partnerships.
This approach is in line with other industry advancements, such as ThisWay Global’s recent leadership expansion to drive AI and high-performance computing innovation, demonstrating a broader industry push toward responsible AI scaling.
Shaping the Future of AI
Jane Gertner, Chief Growth Officer at ventureLAB, expressed her enthusiasm for Chan’s appointment, stating, “AI is at the forefront of global innovation, and Garry’s experience will be invaluable in helping Canadian founders scale AI solutions ethically and responsibly.”
With over 30 years of experience in technology leadership, including roles as CTO at AI Partnerships and founding Managing Partner at Procase Consulting, Chan is well-equipped to guide ventureLAB’s AI initiatives. Earlier this year, he led the organization’s submission to the Canadian government’s AI Compute consultations, advocating for continued investment in Canada’s AI ecosystem.
By bridging hardware, AI, and entrepreneurship, ventureLAB is positioning Canada as a leader in AI-driven innovation, enabling startups to tackle global challenges with cutting-edge solutions.
