In 2016, Shalini Gupta's life took a turn when doctors removed one of her ovaries after an ultrasound raised concerns about the risk of cancer. Although the biopsy results were inconclusive, the experience prompted her to stay on top of her health with regular tests. She also witnessed the challenges faced by several cancer survivors in her family, which motivated her to find ways to make cancer diagnostics more accessible and efficient for others.

“I’ve seen the journey of cancer survivors quite closely, and this is a growing field. I feel like not enough is being done,” said Gupta. “People who are sort of healthy are de-prioritized on the list because there isn’t enough capacity for getting tests done as part of a standard of care, and it’s costly.”

Gupta founded Asima Health, a startup focused on improving cancer screening through molecular diagnostics. Based in Kitchener, the company is developing a liquid biopsy test for early cancer detection, especially for cancer survivors who often don’t have non-invasive blood testing options. While traditional screenings like MRIs, CT scans and mammograms are critical, they can also be expensive, time-consuming and stressful. Asima Health wants to offer a more accessible and less invasive alternative with a low-cost, high-speed blood test that can be performed locally, offering same-day or next-day results.

Gupta has over 20 years of experience in vitro diagnostics and holds a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. From 2010 to 2022, she was a faculty member in the engineering department at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. After moving permanently to Canada in 2023, she founded Asima Health, launching the company with support from Velocity, which provided access to lab space and resources to help her get the startup off the ground.

“I had a previous startup in India, but I don’t think I could have gotten this far,” she said. “There’s no comparison. This is so much better. It requires a tech ecosystem that is here.”

Gupta is now one of 10 founders selected for the latest cohort of Communitech Fierce Founders Uplift, which supports women and non-binary founders from equity-deserving groups by providing them with the mentorship, funding and networks they need to scale their companies.

The founders joining Gupta in this cohort include:

  • Ailsa Blair, founder of Drag Me, a platform that allows drag fans to discover events, book tickets and buy merchandise. It provides drag performers with a dedicated platform to promote their brand and manage event bookings and features an extensive marketplace of drag performers across the United States and Canada.
  • Ankita Sharma, founder of Philer Inc, a platform that leverages AI to deliver legal services and simplify real estate closings for home buyers, real estate professionals, and lawyers. Philer's mission is to eliminate complexity, enhance transparency, and bring efficiency to the property closing process, ensuring a stress-free experience for everyone involved.
  • Dayna Voisin, co-founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO) of QuickCasa, an AI lead qualification platform for property managers. QuickCasa is redefining rental communications by leveraging AI to streamline lead engagement and tenant pre-qualification.
  • Fion Lee-Madan, co-founder and Head of Strategic Partnerships at Fairly AI, which provides a governance, risk and compliance (GRC) solution to help organizations accelerate their safe, secure and compliant adoption of AI systems.
  • Fuseinat Brimah, founder and CEO of Cangro Agrifoods Inc., a social enterprise revolutionizing how we grow and eat food through modern agriculture solutions. The company specializes in sustainable growing innovations, including hydroponic systems like the HydroZen, which make growing food accessible for anyone, anywhere.
  • Lynn Doughane and Nanette Sene, founders of Juno Technologies, which is developing a wearable medical device designed to alleviate menstrual pain. This innovative solution offers women a convenient alternative to medication and heating pads.
  • Shazia Akbar, founder of Okare AI, a company that leverages imaging technology to improve oral health care worldwide by developing AI-powered software solutions for early disease detection and workflow optimization.
  • Stephanie Lipp, founder of MycoFutures, a cleantech startup developing sustainable, mycelium-based materials as alternatives to traditional leather to create a durable and luxurious textile for the fashion industry and beyond. Using mycelium, which is the root system of fungi, MycoFutures is providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional leather and petroleum-based synthetic materials.
  • Tina Safaei, founder of Pahk Solutions, a platform dedicated to personal carbon footprint management. This solution aims to help municipalities and corporations reduce their environmental impact by engaging their community in sustainability and managing their carbon emissions.

Fierce Founders Uplift supports women and non-binary founders from equity-deserving groups by providing hands-on support, customized content, networking opportunities and access to funding. Fierce Founders Uplift launched in 2021 and this is the fourth cohort for the program. Founders are partnered with a lead growth coach and meet weekly to develop and execute a customized growth plan. Founders also participate in monthly group coaching sessions with other founders in the program.

During these monthly sessions, which are facilitated by an executive coach, founders have the opportunity to connect, build a community with other founders and feel supported. Founders participating in the program receive $10,000 in non-matching funds to help them execute their growth plans and grow their businesses. Fierce Founders is made possible by the City of Kitchener, Google for Startups, the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario, and the Province of Ontario.

“Having those connections and being part of the ecosystem, it’s nice to be a part of that,” said Gupta. “The ecosystem is helping you build or think through your startup. When you see other founders going through the same journey, it’s nice to see that.”

Gupta and her team are focusing on building out their product’s clinical testing phase. Asima Health aims to conduct its first cohort study in a clinical setting by mid-2025, which will provide valuable data to refine its technology.

For Gupta, transitioning from academic research to startup founder has been a leap of faith, but one with many familiar parallels. With the backing of the tech ecosystem and the support of her family, she now has the tools and resources to turn her vision into a reality.

“My husband continues to support me, and I want to thank him and my daughter,” said Gupta. “All of this comes together because you have the support of all of the people. Don’t hesitate to ask for support if you need to, because people will provide it if you ask.”