Providing USask entrepreneurs with the support to succeed
USask alumnus, Tayab Soomro (BSc, Bioinformatics ‘20), attributes much of his business success to Opus—USask’s new entrepreneurship and startup incubator that was funded through the Horizons Project.
By Erica Schindel, USask Communications Specialist“We joined Opus in 2023 as part of the i2Build cohort. The programming, events, mentoring and networking opportunities have really impacted our business trajectory,” said Soomro, CEO and founder of PathoScan, a revolutionary crop diagnostic tool.
“Up to 30% of crop production is lost worldwide every year due to absolutely preventable plant diseases,” says Soomro. “Current methods of pathogen detection are extremely costly and take too long to produce results. This can be detrimental for farmers—especially those in remote areas with limited access—who want to be proactive in protecting their crops.”
PathoScan’s crop diagnostic is a portable device that allows farmers, without any technical background, to test for pathogens in even the remotest of fields. Because of its simplicity, the device is both cost effective and allows for farmers to turn results around within an hour.
“Our device allows farmers to test for crop diseases quickly and cost effectively, reducing yield losses and increasing prosperity.”
As a scientist, Soomro admitted that before working with Opus he had limited knowledge of core business fundamentals such as finance, marketing, patent protection, and more. Opus helped in providing foundational knowledge and mobilizing the right mentors to support him at different stages of his venture.
As Soomro continues to build PathoScan, the support he has received and will continue to receive through Opus has been key to his company’s success.
“Opus has truly been PathoScan’s incubator in every sense of the word, nurturing our journey from a mere concept to tangible reality. Providing us with a workspace, invaluable business development training, and opportunities to network at key events, Opus has gone above and beyond.”
Soomro believes that Opus is more than just a program, it has become PathoScan’s family. The conversations and unwavering support have helped propel his company forward with a sense of belonging and encouragement that’s unparalleled.
“With Opus’ support, we have secured over $100,000 in funding and have established connections with mentors and key figures in the agriculture industry and network of business accelerators, which has been a lifeline for the company.”
Soomro is excited for PathoScan’s future and for the future of the startup ecosystem in Saskatchewan as a whole.
"The greatest value of Opus is its ability to mobilize innovation and inventions out of the University of Saskatchewan through startup companies that create jobs, economic impact, and generate value for the province and the world,” said Alix Hayden, USask director of innovation mobilization and partnerships.
For more information about USask’s Entrepreneurship and Startup Incubator, visit Opus’ website.