SmartTO Client Impact Stories highlight how Ontario-based innovators are advancing smart mobility and related sectors with support from SmartTO, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) ecosystem, as well as our valued partners at Centennial College and YSpace. Each story showcases the venture’s journey, key challenges, measurable progress, including Technology Readiness Level (TRL) growth and the role SmartTO and its partners played in accelerating their path to commercialization.
About Moon Trades Technologies
Moon Trades Technologies, founded by Wintta Ghebreiyesus, is developing AI-powered solutions and custom rover hardware to transform how we explore for critical minerals on Earth, and eventually in space. By combining geospatial intelligence with non-invasive scanning techniques, the company helps geologists minimize boreholes, reduce costs, and lower environmental impact. Their vision is dual-use: supporting mining automation here on Earth while preparing for future lunar and asteroid exploration.
SmartTO Programs Engaged
Venture Mobility Catalyst
Applied Technical Project (ATP)
Innovation Challenge
The Challenge
When Wintta founded Moon Trades, the company was newly incorporated with a clear vision but only early conceptual designs. The team had not yet built a working prototype and needed access to facilities, technical expertise, and research support to accelerate development. At the same time, they were navigating questions of market fit, straddling both aerospace and mining applications, and wanted to ensure their technology could demonstrate value in both sectors. Limited resources and lack of specialized tools made it difficult to move quickly, while their commitment to sustainability pushed them to validate non-invasive methods that could reduce drilling and make exploration more precise.
SmartTO Support
Through SmartTO’s Applied Technical Project (ATP), Moon Trades began working with Centennial College to prototype its lunar rover. Guided by Professors Florin and Elvira Nijloveanu from the School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science and project coordinator Milad Hoorzad, the team carried out most of the work at Centennial’s Landing Gear Innovation Lab at the Downsview Campus. With access to Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software and support from faculty and students specializing in navigation, sensors, and AI-driven components, Moon Trades advanced its rover from TRL-2 to TRL-5, significantly accelerating development.
Wintta also won first place in the inaugural SmartTO Innovation Challenge, which provided her with funding, mentorship, and visibility to industry stakeholders. As part of this program, Wintta received direct mentorship from Yanky Li, Technology and Entrepreneurship Advisor at YSpace, whose guidance helped refine their business strategy and strengthen her value proposition.
While SmartTO was a central enabler, Moon Trades also benefited from broader ecosystem support through programs such as ELLA, YSpace, TieQuest, Tie Toronto, Spark Centre, Nobellum, and VentureLab, as well as mentorship from leaders like Hannah Lau (ELLA). These complementary supports provided business guidance, pitching opportunities, and community connections alongside the technical momentum gained through SmartTO.
“SmartTO gave my startup the launchpad it needed. Centennial’s labs, Siemens software, and student expertise helped build my first rover prototype. With added mentorship and funding, Moon Trades moved from early designs to a validated startup ready to grow.”
Wintta Ghebreiyesus, Founder & CEO, Moon Trades Technologies
Key Support Areas
Prototyping & Facilities
SmartTO connected Moon Trades with Centennial College’s Landing Gear Innovation Lab at the Downsview Campus, where Professors Florin and Elvira Nijloveanu oversaw the project. This partnership provided the facilities, Siemens PLM software, and research expertise needed to move from a conceptual design to a working rover prototype, while ensuring the team maintained ownership of their IP.
Research & Student Expertise
Centennial researchers and students worked alongside Moon Trades on systems integration, navigation, and sensor design. Using Siemens Product Lifecycle Management software, they supported hardware and AI-driven development while gaining experiential learning opportunities in building complex rover systems. In total, over 300 students have been impacted through Moon Trades’ outreach and hands-on collaborations, extending the value of SmartTO’s support into broader talent development.
TRL Advancement
Through SmartTO’s Applied Technical Project with Centennial College, Moon Trades advanced from conceptual design (TRL-2) to TRL-5. Access to Siemens PLM software, student engineers, and expert faculty support allowed the team to accelerate development, integrate complex systems, and move closer to market readiness.
Mentorship & Funding
Through SmartTO’s Innovation Challenge, Moon Trades secured 1st place and was awarded $15,000 in value, including $5,000 cash from Megalab Group, a $5,000 YSpace support bundle, and $5,000 in business services. The program provided business mentorship from YSpace's Yanky Li, helping refine the company’s strategy and strengthen its technology roadmap.
Looking Ahead
Moon Trades is now preparing for its next stage of growth by completing and testing its rover prototype in October, expanding mining-focused pilots in Sudbury, and advancing AI-driven data collection to optimize exploration processes. The company is also positioning its technology for dual-use applications in future lunar and asteroid missions, building on its expertise in geospatial intelligence and non-invasive scanning.
Momentum is also reflected in Wintta’s growing recognition across the innovation ecosystem. In 2025, Moon Trades was named a General Stream Winner at TiEQuest, one of Canada’s most trusted startup competitions and was honored at the Nobellum Accelerate Durham program with a 2nd place finish. Wintta was also recognized as a Top 10 Finalist for the FEMWORX Engineer Woman Award at Hannover Messe, one of the world’s largest industrial trade fairs.
Through outreach and experiential learning opportunities, Moon Trades has already engaged over 300 students, furthering its mission to inspire the next generation of innovators.
With strong momentum, growing partnerships, and recognition for leadership and innovation, Moon Trades is paving the way for sustainable exploration on Earth and beyond.