Inside the Medtech Innovation Highway: Founder Stories from Alberta’s Innovation Frontlines
What does it really take to build a medtech company?
No two commercialization journeys are the same.
Hear firsthand from Alberta founders who have transformed promising innovations into growing ventures through the Medtech Innovation Highway (MIH). Through rapid-fire founder spotlights and a moderated panel discussion, speakers will share the challenges they faced, pivotal decisions they made, lessons learned, and the support that helped move their technologies toward commercialization.
Whether you're just beginning your journey or navigating your next milestone, you'll gain practical insights into what it really takes to bring a medtech innovation to market.
Moderator: Mack Male
Mack is the co-founder and CEO of Taproot Publishing. The company's flagship outlet, Taproot Edmonton, delivers reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region. Prior to becoming an entrepreneurial journalist, Mack spent more than a decade working in software development.
Panellists:
Amber Mack
Amber Mack, R.SLP, is the CEO of Kids Included, an early childhood service provider committed to building communities where all children belong. A speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience across health, education, and community settings, Amber is a passionate advocate for the meaningful inclusion of children with disabilities. Her leadership spans clinical practice, rehabilitation, and community-based services, bringing a unique perspective on innovation, systems change, and the real-world impact of technology on children and families.
Claire Dixon
Claire Dixon, MBA MEng MA (Cantab.) is the CEO and co-founder of Neuraura, a Calgary-based company developing LoOoP, a bioelectronic platform for the treatment of PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome).Claire has 25+ years’ international leadership, strategy and operational experience, including 15 years as a strategic consultant to capital and technology-intensive businesses, 5 years in senior operational roles and 8 years as a deeptech founder.
She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a MEng/MA (Cantab.) in Mechanical Engineering from Cambridge University.Claire has twice been named one of the Top 200 Trailblazing Leaders in Women’s Health and FemTech by Women of Wearables and was recognized as one of the Top 30 Female Founders globally by VivaTech.
Karen Murdock
Karen Murdock is the founder of Voiced Memories Inc. and President of the Silver Longevity Business Association. Born in rural Manitoba, Karen brings decades of lived and professional experience working with older adults and senior-serving organizations. She developed Voiced Memories to use personal stories, photographs and technology to strengthen social connection and well-being among older adults. Through the MedTech Innovation Highway, Karen gained valuable support in advancing Voiced Memories, strengthening its evidence base and preparing it for broader implementation. She is now leading the development of a SilverTech ecosystem that brings older adults, researchers, innovators and industry together to build technology with seniors, not simply for them.