Parth Mahendru is a co-founder of Prandtl Dynamics, a startup building non-lethal technologies to neutralize rogue drones. Competing against corporate giants like Boeing, Mahendru's team won 2nd place at Alberta's UAS competition—an impressive feat for a student-founded company.
Yet even in a startup hub like Toronto, Mahendru found support hard to come by.

"Accessibility is the biggest challenge. Even university incubators are hard to navigate without connections."

He believes government-backed competitions and grants specifically for student and micro-startups could be game-changers.

"Right now, you need a sales record or prototype to qualify for many programs. That locks out the most innovative ideas."

Mahendru emphasizes the power of digital platforms in reaching young innovators. "We live online," he notes. "So should the government's outreach."

His vision: a Canada where entrepreneurial ecosystems are truly accessible, especially to students and early-stage builders. He calls for more inclusive incubators, easier pathways to funding, and a government presence on platforms where youth already are.