STEM Meets Startups: From Tech to Transformation

Wondering how to take your STEM background into the startup world, or curious how science and technical skills translate into innovation and entrepreneurship? You’re in the right place! This article is part of an 8-part series supported by RBC Foundation, spotlighting Fellows who are shaping their careers by blending analytical training with entrepreneurial curiosity and action.

To get some advice, we spoke with Dasha Istomina and Aimen Akbar, two 2025 Venture for Canada Fellows whose stories show how clarity, confidence, and entrepreneurial drive often emerge when you apply what you know in new and unexpected ways.

Meet the Fellows

Dasha Istomina

Meet Dasha, a dual Computer Science and Forensics graduate who launched an automation-focused startup inspired by her Fellowship experience.

“I joined the Venture for Canada Fellowship while completing my final term at Trent University, where I earned a BSc Honours with a dual major in Computer Science and Forensic Science. I’ve always been curious, driven, and eager to apply what I learn in meaningful and innovative ways. The Fellowship gave me the environment to do that with more focus and clarity. Being part of a community of people who were pursuing meaningful work reinforced my mindset and gave me the momentum to move forward.”

For Dasha, the Fellowship was about momentum and self-trust. “It pushed me to think more openly, act with intention, and shape the path I’m committed to. VFC reminded me that clarity often follows action, and that meaningful work begins with self-trust.”

Her interest in entrepreneurship deepened especially during sessions with founder speakers. “Listening to them share how they navigated challenges was incredibly inspiring. I realized I resonated with their mindset—problem-solving, adapting, and growing through uncertainty. It made me feel like I could do this too. The journey started to feel less like a distant path and more like a challenge I wanted to take on, almost like a game where you unlock new levels as you grow.”

Her advice? “Start before you feel fully ready. You don’t need to have everything figured out to take your first step. Focus on learning quickly, staying curious, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to think bigger. The clarity, confidence, and momentum will come as you move. Trust that you’re allowed to build something meaningful, even while you’re still becoming who you want to be.”

Aimen Akbar

Meet Aimen, a life sciences researcher who joined the Fellowship to explore how health innovation translates from research to real-world impact.

“In life sciences & healthcare, many aren’t exposed to the go-to-market side of innovation, and I wanted to bridge that gap. I joined the Fellowship driven by a deep curiosity about how startups operate and bring ideas to life. I wanted to understand how functions like marketing, sales, operations, and customer success come together to understand customer needs and transform ideas into real-world solutions.”

The Fellowship opened new doors for Aimen, both personally and professionally. “It gave me space to gain hands-on experience, build meaningful connections, and develop the confidence and practical skills to contribute immediately to ventures shaping the future. Personally, it pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and connect with people building impactful ventures. Professionally, it exposed me to the inner workings of startups, from sales to customer success, and clarified how I can bring value in fast-paced environments.”

Her entrepreneurial spark came from seeing the gap between lab research and market-ready solutions. “My interest in startups began when I noticed how many in life sciences and healthcare struggled to translate their work into real-world solutions. Around the same time, a conversation with a founder about how their small team directly impacted people’s lives by removing lab workflow bottlenecks deeply inspired me. It sparked my curiosity to explore the entrepreneurial mindset and understand how startups bring ideas to market by collaborating across functions. Since then, I’ve been actively learning and aligning my path toward contributing to mission-driven teams that are bringing impactful solutions to the world.”

Her advice? “Stay curious and keep learning. Startups can be chaotic, and roles often aren’t clearly defined, so being adaptable and willing to take on new challenges is really important. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try different things. Also, focus on building good relationships and keeping an open mind — that’s how you truly grow and create opportunities for yourself in startups.”

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