For Yaser Maddahi, CEO and Founder of Tactile Robotics, the journey to build a groundbreaking company in AI-powered robotics mirrors his personal journey of immigration and adaptation. Just nine years after learning a new language upon moving to Canada from Tehran, Iran, Maddahi found himself navigating the complexities of intellectual property (IP)—a challenge that ElevateIP helped him conquer.
Pioneering Robotics for Education and Telehealth
Founded in 2018, Tactile Robotics specializes in developing innovative robotic solutions for dental education, telehealth, and research. Their flagship product, DenTeach, integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI, haptics, and robotics to provide simple, effective, and measurable training for dental students. Another key product, PrepScanner, enhances skill evaluation for dental professionals, transforming how skills are practiced and assessed.
Despite early successes, scaling their innovative technologies required robust IP protections.
“I filed my first patent in 2018 or 2019, and the experience reminded me of when I had to learn English after immigrating to Canada. It was like decoding a language from Mars,” said Maddahi.
The Turning Point: Joining ElevateIP
In 2023, Tactile Robotics’ revenue was $500,000. By the time the company joined North Forge’s ElevateIP program in 2024, they had already launched products and built a strong pitch for investors. However, their ability to compete on a global scale was hampered by gaps in their IP strategy. That’s where ElevateIP made all the difference. This year, revenue is on track to exceed $1 million.
“This program helped us refine every aspect of our IP strategy—something that’s vital for entrepreneurship but rarely understood. Now, we are ready to scale even more. The program isn’t just about filing patents—it’s about building an IP strategy that fits our business,” said Maddahi.
Since 2018, Tactile Robotics has:
Secured seven patents and initiated research for one additional patent. ElevateIP has assisted with the two most recent of these patents.
Protected trade secrets and trademarks to safeguard their innovations.
Gained the expertise to draft patent applications in-house, saving time and money.
Attracting Investors and Driving Global Growth
The IP strategy developed through ElevateIP was pivotal in attracting U.S. investors, a key milestone for the company’s growth. The company is actively raising US$1.3 million in seed funding, with 20 per cent already committed.
“U.S. investors want to see novel technologies that are well-protected. They want to know, ultimately, that if a giant company comes and tries to duplicate your technology, you can defend and protect yourself. We wouldn’t be able to do that as easily if it weren’t for ElevateIP.”
This robust IP foundation has also enabled Tactile Robotics to:
Commercialize two product families, with one currently undergoing clinical trials.
Secure sales to prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, and the University of Manitoba.
Compete effectively with unicorn companies in the field of robotics and AI.
Empowering Entrepreneurs
For Maddahi, ElevateIP was more than just an IP program—it was a transformative experience that empowered his team to take control of their innovations.
“Lawyers aren’t in our office. They don’t know if we develop something, or if we have a trade secret or trademark to protect. If we design something, we need to understand if it’s patentable or not. We need to understand if it needs to be protected or not. Through ElevateIP, now we do.”
By mastering the IP process, Tactile Robotics is poised for a future of growth and innovation.
“Through ElevateIP, we’ve gained the skills and confidence to draft patents in-house—up to 90% complete—saving both time and investor money. This program gave us the confidence and capability to protect our ideas. That competitive edge is invaluable in our field.”
Looking Ahead
With a solid IP strategy in place, Tactile Robotics is dedicated to further growth. Programs like ElevateIP demonstrate the importance of supporting Canadian startups with the tools they need to succeed on a world stage.
“The guidance from ElevateIP has been a game-changer for us. It’s the reason we can confidently say we’re ready to grow and bring meaningful innovation to education and healthcare to an even wider global audience.”
North Forge is an ElevateIP Recipient: a national program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, leading in intellectual property support for startups in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
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