Brock LINC’s newest Navigate pitch winners are pushing forward with cutting-edge business ventures in advanced cooling technology for heat management and medical education driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Master of Science in Kinesiology student Matthew Hodgkinson (BSc ’23) along with undergraduate Computer Science students Ebad Khan and Subquat Siddiqui stood out with their innovative business pitches, which each received $2,500 and a ticket to attend the DiscoveryX conference — a premier innovation event.

Hodgkinson, who works with Brock’s Exercise and Thermal Physiology labs, captured the judges’ attention with Frost Fit. Still in early development, the supplementary cooling device targets key areas of the body identified in firefighter safety research. It may benefit athletes training or competing in the heat, workers in hot conditions and individuals with disabilities who are sensitive to heat stress.

“Navigate paired me with a great mentor and a supportive group of entrepreneurs,” said Hodgkinson. “I feel motivated knowing that others recognize the need and potential of Frost Fit.”

He plans to join Brock LINC’s Blueprint program to collaborate with industrial designers and engineers and to use the Navigate award to develop a functional prototype. He will be conducting clinical research once the device is available.

Khan and Siddiqui pitched their idea of an AI chatbot tailored to Ontario university curricula. The goal of Met-Bot Al is to help pre-medical students study more effectively, achieve higher grades and improve their chances of getting into postgraduate health-care programs. Currently in beta, Med-Bot AI will launch soon, empowering students to succeed.

“Winning the pitch prize from the Navigate program was an incredible experience,” Khan said.

“It has been transformative for our team, teaching us how quickly a business can evolve,” Siddiqui added.

They plan to use the Navigate award to enhance the beta model and work towards a full version, making it accessible to Ontario universities within the next two years. Additionally, they aim to market Med-Bot AI to undergraduate medical students and reach their first 500 users in the coming months.

Brock LINC’s Navigate program is an 11-week intensive program that helps entrepreneurs test and develop early-stage business ideas through market research and feedback from potential customers. At the end of the program, participants can pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.

Applications are now open for the Navigate program’s Fall Term. Navigate is open to all Brock students, staff and faculty as well as members of the Niagara community. While there is no cost to participate, enrolment is capped to ensure participants receive personalized mentorship and support.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. For more information about the program, email Cassie Conte, Brock LINC Program Manager, at cconte@brocku.ca