Ink Innovation
Making electronics like solar panels, sensors, and smart packaging is still a tough, expensive, and wasteful process. The materials are costly, manufacturing methods don’t scale well, and many of the components are toxic or short-lived. It’s holding back the growth of flexible, next-generation tech.
PINA Creation is tackling this head-on with a cleaner, cheaper way to make electronics. The cleantech startup develops eco-friendly nano-inks—liquid materials that can be printed like ink but act like high-performance electronics once dried.
PINA’s inks use safe, earth-abundant metals like zinc and tin. They’re designed to work with high-speed printing systems (think roll-to-roll printers), making it easier for manufacturers to build flexible devices at scale—without the usual trade-offs in cost, durability, or performance.
The Burnaby startup’s approach could change how electronics are made—shrinking costs, cutting waste, and unlocking new uses for printed tech in energy, health, and packaging.
Manufacturing Success
What they’ve done: PINA Creation has moved fast. Since launching, they’ve secured more than 870K from F&F and over 300K in non-dilutive funding from IRAP, Mitacs, and NSERC, developed two commercial nano-ink products, and filed patents for their tech. They’ve launched more than 15 pilot projects with partners across North America, Europe, and Asia—and grown their team to 14+ experts in science, engineering, and commercialization.
Why NVBC: They entered this year’s competition to raise their profile, connect with cleantech investors, and sharpen their go-to-market strategy. For a startup solving real manufacturing problems, NVBC is a launchpad to scale impact and build industry partnerships.
Up next: PINA’s top priority: turn pilots into paying customers. They’re scaling up production, expanding field testing, and building out sales and marketing to drive adoption. They’re also exploring licensing deals to reach more markets—from solar to sensors and beyond.
Built to Bend, Ready to Scale
One of the biggest lessons PINA Creation has learned is the importance of staying adaptable. Building a deeptech startup comes with uncertainty, and success often depends on being flexible, listening to feedback, and adjusting course when needed. For PINA, that meant refining their product and business model based on real-world input from partners and customers.
While securing pilot projects with global companies has been a major win, converting those pilots into commercial sales has proven to be a longer journey—requiring deeper integration, extended validation cycles, and proof of long-term reliability. In response, the team has doubled down on technical support, expanded field testing, and focused on building strong, trust-based relationships to accelerate adoption.
Meet The Team
Dr. Maryam Bari, Founder & CEO
Dr. Maryam Bari is the Co-Founder and CEO of PINA Creation Inc., where she leads the development of scalable nano-inks for printed electronics. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Simon Fraser University, with a research focus on nanomaterials and optoelectronic devices, and is a graduate of SFU’s Invention to Innovation (i2I) program. Maryam has authored 15+ peer-reviewed publications and guided PINA to over $1M in funding, multiple global pilots, and key patent filings. She’s a champion of cleantech innovation, inclusive leadership, and building Canada’s next materials success story.
Dr. Zuo-Guang Ye, CTO & Co-founder
Dr. Zuo-Guang Ye is a Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science at Simon Fraser University and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and IEEE. With over 30 years of international experience, he is a leading expert in advanced materials, piezoelectrics, and electronic ceramics. As CTO of PINA Creation Inc., he guides the scientific direction and development of high-performance nano-inks for next-generation printed electronics.
Fabian de la Fuente, Innovation Director & Co-Founder
Fabian de la Fuente is an inventor, investor, and 6-time serial entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in business development, entrepreneurship, and scaling high-growth ventures. As Innovation Director and Co-Founder, he advises startups and drives strategic growth.
Company Cheatsheet:
City: Burnaby
Founded: November 18, 2024
Sector: Advanced materials; Cleantech; Printed Electronics
