London Inc. Early Summer 2024 - 16

Upfront TechAlliance
THE FUTURE OF CLEAN AIR
Utilizing innovative proprietary technology, Jenessa Olson aims
to bring about a clean air revolution
AIR QUALITY HAS become a growing concern over the
last decade. Whether you live in a congested city, suffer
from airborne allergies, work in an office or a factory or like
to run outdoors, you may already be aware when the air
that you're breathing is of poor quality. And with increased
pollution and wildfires, the problem will get worse before it
gets better.
From a young age, Jenessa Olson suffered seemingly
random respiratory illnesses multiple times a year. Some of
those illnesses even resulted in hospitalization. As she aged,
Olson sought answers. By narrowing down possible causes
through a process of elimination, she was able to pinpoint
where and why she was getting sick and suffering allergic
reactions.
Jenessa Olson
Ecologicca's five-stage air purifying system utilizes
hydroxyl radicals and oxidizers that can decompose
airborne chemicals, pollutants and organic contaminants
- the same air filtration technology that's been used in the
International Space Station for over 40 years.
With customer network help from Andrew Leest,
manager of venture growth at TechAlliance, customers
began contacting the company almost immediately. The
connections that were facilitated by TechAlliance helped
shape the company's direction and how Ecologicca's products
were communicated to other businesses.
When the opportunity to apply for the i.d.e.a. Fund was
presented to Olson by Leest, she jumped at the chance and
was successful.
Supported by a $10-million Government of Canada
investment, through the Federal Economic Development
Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the i.d.e.a.
Fund is led by Boundless Accelerator in partnership with
five regional innovation centres: Wetech Alliance, Haltech,
Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory and TechAlliance of
Southwestern Ontario. The program helps high-potential
ventures access the tools they need to succeed by providing
financial and business advisory supports to develop or
redesign products, services, processes and technologies
that reduce impacts on the environment and create madein-Canada
solutions.
With i.d.e.a. Fund and TechAlliance's support, Ecologicca
The answer was bad air quality.
Olson discovered that bad air quality isn't just limited to
one type of building or location. Unhealthy air is a worldwide
problem that exists in restaurants, offices, hotels and
homes. And it affects more than just people with allergies.
She thought that there had to be a way to make better air
easier to access, and with this motivation, Ecologicca
(www.ecologicca.com) and its air-purifying technology
launched.
The first industry that Ecologicca approached was
hospitality - specifically hotels. Using its proprietary technology,
the company collected data on harmful particles and
toxins throughout the select buildings, which showed how
bad air results in disturbed and unhealthy sleep patterns.
The next step was to install Ecologicca's air-purifying
units to improve guests' sleep and have a better experience
overall.
16 | londonincmagazine.ca | EARLY SUMMER 2024
is expanding its data collection monitoring and analytics,
focusing on the environmental determinants of health. Using
this data monitoring and collection, the team hopes to communicate
this key information to increase awareness around
air quality, and how to know when you shouldn't be running
outside or when bad air quality exists in your home or office.
The funding also supports investment readiness and
business development, and Olson has been attending health
and clean tech conferences across North America. At these
conferences, she has met countless industry experts and
refined Ecologicca's pitch as an Internet of Things company.
" Jenessa and Ecologicca have recognized the need to
adapt over time, reinventing the business and finding the
best strategy, " says Leest. " From her initial venture to starting
Ecologicca, Jenessa is staying ahead of the curve and
narrowing down the ideal opportunity to help the business
grow and improve the future of air quality. "
http://www.ecologicca.com http://www.londonincmagazine.ca
London Inc. Early Summer 2024

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