The Best Defence Conference, happening on October 22-23 in London, Ontario, has quickly become a premier event in Canada’s defence sector. Vanguard is proud to serve as this year’s official media partner.
The conference covers key capability areas, including air, land, naval, C4ISR, IT/IM, and public safety, offering a comprehensive platform for industry leaders, military officials, and government procurement decision-makers to discuss important issues. With a strong focus on networking, the event also provides attendees with new business prospects, especially for aerospace and defence companies, advanced manufacturers, and technology firms specializing in AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.
We are excited to showcase below some of the companies that will be featured at the conference. For more information about the Best Defence Conference or to register, visit www.bestdefenceconference.com.
Rob Arntfield, MD, Founder & CEO
London, ON
rob@deepbreathe.ai
www.deepbreathe.ai
Deep Breathe is set to revolutionize the identification and management of torso trauma through its innovative combination of ultrasound technology and advanced AI. Designed for portability and precision, the company’s AI-driven system enables real-time diagnostics, providing rapid and accurate assessments in critical situations. Its flagship solution targets pneumothorax detection, but Deep Breathe is already expanding its capabilities to include conditions like torso hemorrhage in both the chest and abdomen.
The company’s technology is particularly suited for military and defense applications, offering essential support for trauma assessments on the battlefield or in remote, resource-limited settings. By providing frontline medics and military physicians with advanced diagnostic tools, Deep Breathe enhances operational readiness and enables faster interventions in the field. With a clear roadmap to extend its AI capabilities, Deep Breathe is poised to transform trauma care in both civilian and military sectors, making a significant leap forward in portable, AI-powered diagnostics.
Deltek Herndon, Herndon, VA USA
Nima Derakhshanrokni
www.deltek.com
nimaderakhshanrokni@deltek.com
GovWin is the market leader for U.S. and Canadian contractors seeking to confidently manage and grow their government business. Our industry-leading market intelligence platform is uniquely built, backed, and continuously updated by market analysts and industry experts that gather and analyze first-hand information from government decision-makers. Learn how you can gain early access to opportunities, network with teaming partners and buyers, and leverage powerful market intelligence – all supported by our team of experts – to beat the competition and win more government contracts.
Brian Freed, CEO
Cobourg, ON / Edmonton, AB
bfreed@illuminex.ai
illuminex.ai
Illuminex AI is on a mission to redefine airfield inspection through the transformative power of sensor fusion AI. The U.S. Navy estimates that FOD alone costs more than $40,000 annually per aircraft in repairs and maintenance, along with incalculable risk to personnel and operational readiness. Our InspectEx platform deploys plug-and-play AI detectors to identify and geo-locate anomalies such as Foreign Object Debris (FOD), human and animal intrusions, and compromised integrity of perimeter fence lines, delivering real-time alerts of critical safety and security risks. Our InspectEx Cloud collects time-series data for trending, analysis and root-cause identification. The Illuminex AI portfolio revolutionizes airfield inspection, increasing aircraft readiness, decreasing unplanned maintenance, enhancing airfield security and enabling risk-based decision-making to reduce operational risk for airfield personnel.
Rahul Goel, CEO, NordSpace Corp.
rahul@nordspace.com
Markham, ON, Canada, L3R 9R3
nordspace.com
NordSpace is developing sovereign space launch capabilities for Canada, a first for Canada as the only G7 nation without launch capabilities. NordSpace’s end-to-end solution includes its workhorse orbital launch vehicle (Tundra, 500 kg to LEO, JetA/SAF), private commercial spaceport (Spaceport Canada), and small satellite solutions to enable Canadian assets to launch from a Canadian vehicle and spaceport. NordSpace’s responsive and portable launch system runs on conventional aviation fuels, and its vehicles are largely additively manufactured. Pan-domain situational awareness, rapid response, and deploying assets of national importance are critical capabilities to secure Canada’s interests on the ground, air, sea, and space.
Andrew Service, Canadian Business Development Manager
London, Ontario
servicea@gdls.com
gdlscanada.com
General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada is a global leader in transformational defence innovations, including land combat vehicle solutions.
Designed and manufactured in London, Ontario, Canada the Light Armoured Vehicle or LAV 6.0 remains the highly capable and protected baseline vehicle that is the backbone of the Canadian Army’s combat vehicle fleet.
It is the platform on which General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada continues to develop and build new technologies that anticipate threats, meet future needs, and protect soldiers.
It includes a foundational digital architecture with scalable and modular hardware and software for next-generation capabilities, all with embedded cyber resilience.
General Dynamics is committed to supporting the Canadian Army as a strategic solution provider to meet future LAV and non-LAV program requirements. Through a substantial export business, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada maintains a strong domestic-based business as the Canadian Army’s largest supplier of armoured military vehicles and the cornerstone of Canada’s defence industry. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is responsible for thousands of high-quality, innovative jobs that are deeply linked to Canada’s knowledge economy.
Whether it is responding to the Canadian Army’s need to digitize, supporting the Government of Canada’s donation of Armoured Combat Support Vehicles to the Government of Ukraine, or providing the solution for the Army’s Logistics Vehicle Modernization program – General Dynamics Land Systems‐Canada stands ready with Canada.
Please visit gdlscanada.com for additional information.
Tim Van Holst, President Defence Sector
Metro Supply Group, Toronto, ON
tvanholst@metroscg.com
From setting up and optimizing operations with efficient storage solutions to managing complex transportation networks, Metro Supply Chain has been tailoring its suite of innovative logistics solutions to the unique needs of leading defence organizations in Canada and the United Kingdom for 30 years. Operating 19 million square out of more than 175 sites across North America and Europe with a team of 9,000, it is Canada’s largest privately owned supply chain solutions company and is a 2024 winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.
Partner with Metro Supply Chain to optimize your supply chain with its expertise in automation, security compliance and time critical logistics.
Contact: Tim Van Holst, President, Defence Sector at tvanholst@metroscg.com or Chris Fenton, CEO, Metro Supply Chain at cfenton@metroscg.com.
Drew Miller, Chief Technology Officer
Toronto, ON
dmiller@thornhillmedical.com
Drew brings over 30 years of product development experience in electronics and software design, as well as engineering management and FDA/regulatory expertise, to the Thornhill Medical team.
A global innovator in respiratory and oxygen-related scientific research and advanced technologies, Thornhill Medical is transforming the delivery of critical care in austere and unpredictable combat casualty care and humanitarian environments. Its flagship micro-integrated life support system with built-in oxygen supply, MOVES® SLC™, and its companion anesthesia solution, MADM™, are solving critical care capabilities gaps to save lives.
Drawing on 20 years of pioneering science and engineering, Thornhill Medical collaborates each day with customers, innovation leaders, industry, hospital, and military partners in more than 19 countries and in 65+ research institutes.
SIMWELL
Sylvain Gazaille, Director Business Development
Montreal, QC
sgazaille@simwell.io
simwell.io
SimWell Consulting and Technologies is a global company specializing simulation, optimization, and digital twin technology. Our core mission is to unlock simulation at scale.
We empower leaders and operators to maximize their current resources, optimize their operations, and elevate their performance with simulation. We build models of our customers operation, test scenarios, and predict how it will perform in a risk-free environment.
With SimWell as your partner, your team will have the tools to make confident decisions, optimize your process, and press fast forward on your business.
TDG TRANSIT DESIGN
Marc J. Gagné, CEO
Toronto, ON
marcg@tdgdesign.com
tdgdesign.com
Since 1989 the TDG group of companies has specialized in custom design, R &D and the manufacture and qualification of interior plus exterior lighting systems. Alongside this we have focused on energy storage systems, cyber secure smart lighting controls, and antimicrobial UV solutions for the transportation, national security, defence, and health sectors. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, TDGC has facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, France, India, and Ireland, certified to ISO 9001 and DIN 6701. Our industry leading LED drivers are providing over 250,000 hours of operation with over Four Million installations worldwide. TDGC strive to improve energy efficiency, recyclability, and carbon reduction across all designs and systems throughout our industries. Our Engineers aim to provide world leading green tech solutions to an ever-changing world.
With our R&D efforts focused on the increased efficiency and life of conventional lighting systems, we develop systems that operate the entire functional life of both application and installation, before exceeding their L70 Life. TDGC energy storage systems offer enhanced life and recyclability, utilizing both conventional battery chemistries as well as modern graphene capacitors. TDGC has also developed revolutionary products using UVA and UVC technology, delivering ‘human safe levels’ of UVA/C to effectively reduce a cross-contamination risk; this new tech can reduce and denature microbial content, on a variety of surfaces.
Jean Filion – Founder of Canada’s Special Warfare Laboratory
Vancouver, BC
jfilion@urnd.ca
urnd.ca
Jean Filion, President and Founder of Uncharted Research and Development Incorporated, is at the forefront of Canadian innovation in the national defence sector. With a career spanning over two decades, Filion has transformed his vision into reality by establishing a Canadian special warfare laboratory dedicated to supplying the Canadian Forces with cutting-edge clandestine technologies that deliver the element of surprise during special military operations.
Under his leadership, Uncharted Research and Development Incorporated has become a beacon of progress in the realm of Canadian defence and security. Filion’s unique blend of engineering expertise, strategic insight, and relentless drive has positioned the company as a key player in the defence sector. The company has a proven track record of fielding purpose-built technologies that respond to, and exploit, surprising new tactics observed in the field.
Filion has worked on numerous high-profile projects, both nationally and internationally. His dedication to excellence and innovation has earned him recognition as a visionary in his field.
In addition to his technical acumen, Filion is known for his commitment to ethical considerations in technology development. He ensures that his team’s advancements are as environmentally friendly as possible and that his products are designed from the cradle to the grave for safe environmental absorption. Filion’s work enhances Canadian national security by providing tactical overmatch through unexpected technological implementations.
Best Defence Conference 2024: Connecting Canada's Defence Leaders and Innovators
