Omid
Latifi.
Builder, product leader, and award-winning innovator.
I build software where the stakes are real — for governments, militaries, manufacturers, and NASA. My work has won 15+ competitions, taken home $20,000+ in prizes, and made national news.
I won Canada's first-ever military Defense Tech Hackathon, was named a NASA Space Apps Global Nominee twice, and became the first person in RISE history to win multiple awards in a single year of the competition.
15+ awards, $20K+ in prizes
NASA, Canadian defense, municipal innovation, and industry. A track record of shipping under pressure.
Featured in national media
The Globe and Mail, CTV News, and local outlets have covered the work.
As Featured In
City of Barrie
2025 Youth Innovator of the Year.
Honored by the City of Barrie with the Mayor-presented Youth Innovator Award, recognizing exceptional contributions to innovation, technology, and community impact by young leaders in the region.
Recognition
Streaks, records, and firsts that don't get handed out twice.
2025 · Defense Tech Hackathon
Winner of Canada's
first-ever military
Defense Tech Hackathon.
Grand Prize for Arctic Overwatch — an end-to-end dark-vessel detection system for Canadian Arctic surveillance. Hosted by Build Canada, DMZ Toronto, and SkyWatch.
2025 · City of Orillia
Signed letter of recognition from Mayor Don McIsaac.
Personally recognized by the Mayor of Orillia after winning the Bright Minds Innovation Challenge for Smart Capacity Management — a $1,500 award from the City of Orillia and Fuel Innovation.
3×
Consecutive RISE Wins
2024, 2025, 2026 — three years running at RISE & INNOV8.
2×
NASA Global Nominee
Top 900 out of 94,000 competitors worldwide — two years in a row.
1st
RISE Record Holder
First ever to win multiple research awards in a single year of the competition.
The Timeline
A year-by-year record of awards, honors, and recognitions.
Lakehead Luminary & Lakehead Leader Award
LeadershipLakehead University's highest student leadership distinction — awarded for exceptional leadership, innovation, and community impact.
2nd Place — RISE & INNOV8 Capstone Symposium
ResearchThird consecutive year winning research awards at RISE. Arctic Overwatch — an end-to-end Canadian Arctic dark-vessel detection system.
Grand Prize — Canada's First Defense Tech Hackathon
Defense$3,000 for Arctic Overwatch, alongside Build Canada, DMZ Toronto, and SkyWatch. Featured in The Globe and Mail.
Youth Innovator of the Year — City of Barrie
MunicipalMayor-presented award recognizing exceptional contributions to innovation, technology, and community impact by young leaders in the Barrie region.
Mayor's Letter of Recognition — City of Orillia
MunicipalSigned letter from Mayor Don McIsaac recognizing the Bright Minds Innovation Challenge win.
1st + 3rd Place — RISE & INNOV8 (Record-Setting)
ResearchFirst competitor in RISE history to win multiple research awards in a single year. 1st for Smart Capacity Management, 3rd for Project Abel.
NASA Space Apps — Global Nominee
SpaceTop 900 of 94,000 competitors for Project Impact. Regional Winner ($1,000) and NASA Innovation Recognition Award.
Bright Minds Award — City of Orillia
Municipal$1,500 for Smart Capacity Management from the City of Orillia and Fuel Innovation.
Grand Prize — Drone Defense Hackathon
Defense$1,000 for AALIS. Backed by Invest Ottawa, AVSS, IceBreaker, and Kongsberg Geospatial.
Best Use of Emerging Technology — TerraHacks
HealthArnold AI won at Toronto Metropolitan University — a 3D fitness and physical rehab companion.
NASA Space Apps — Global Nominee
SpaceTop 900 of 94,000 competitors for Project Orbit. Regional Winner ($1,000) and NASA Innovation Recognition Award.
1st Place — RISE & INNOV8 Capstone Symposium
ResearchINNOV8 Award for DriveMind — a real-time traffic light optimization ML model.
Automotive Innovation Prize — AutoHack
Manufacturing$1,500 from Honda Canada Manufacturing for Otto — a 3D interactive industrial training platform.
Let's work
omidlatifi2002@gmail.com