Laetech gains recognition at international pitch competition

Dr. Brian Webb delivering Laetech’s elevator pitch at the Ion in Houston, Texas as part of the 2026 Rice Business Plan Competition.

Laetech, a Santerre Lab spin out company, recently gained international recognition as a semi-finalist at the Rice Business Plan Competition, at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The RBPC is one of the world’s most prestigious startup competitions, and the largest and richest student startup competition. Here, Laetech showcased their next-generation regenerative biomaterials to leading investors, clinicians, and industry experts. This milestone reflects growing validation of Laetech’s approach to engineering functional soft tissue using advanced biomaterials and patient-derived cells.

Dr. Brian Webb and Kate MacQuarrie at the Rice Business Plan Competition.

In parallel, Laetech has secured funding through Mitacs, supporting continued development and translation of their technology. This grant accelerates Laetech’s R&D efforts, strengthens academic-industry collaboration, and advances the path toward clinical impact in reconstructive and regenerative medicine.