Ultracoustics Technologies, a University of Alberta-born company that has developed an "optical microphone" that uses light to detect sounds, ranked first on Scale Up Canada's Edmonton50 list of the region's most scalable companies. The company's Broadsonic sensor is smaller than a grain of rice. "We're using it for things people didn't think were measurable," founder Kyle Scheuer posted after making the list. "Non-contact thickness mapping. Semiconductor cleaning. Transducer testing."
The juried list recognizes startups whose Canadian-made innovations have high potential for global commercialization and export, make a positive impact on the world, and have the ability to advance the local economy. Several health-related startups made the list, including Fringe Field Technologies, which is working on a needle-free, wearable biomarker monitor; RNARevive, which was recently accepted into a Plug and Play accelerator; and ArmLock, whose device treats tennis elbow. Another was Proholistic Discovery, an inference-powered drug development engine. "This recognition motivates us to continue advancing AI-driven drug discovery technologies that can accelerate the development of safer and more effective therapies for patients worldwide," the company posted.
Two members of the Edmonton50 — Polymorph and Aqtiva — were recognized at the YEG Startup Community Awards last week. Others have been in the news for other positive reasons: RoBIM Technologies for a significant grant; Gummy Nutrition Lab for an award nomination, and Fairly Staffing for an investment to fuel growth. Applications open for the 2027 list in January.