NEXT GENERATION PROTECTION
Protecting Those Who
Protect Us
Every time a firefighter answers the call, they put their life on the line for us.
But the greatest danger they face isn’t the flames – it’s the very gear meant to keep them safe.
✓ PFAS Free
✓ maintains functionality
✓ protects without compromise
The Hidden Killer in Gear
The Problem
Cancer is now the #1 cause of death for firefighters.
In Canada, 94% of firefighter work-related deaths are from cancer. The culprit?
A class of chemicals called PFAS — known carcinogens, nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they never break down. They build up in the environment. They build up in the body. And for decades, they’ve been hiding inside the most critical part of firefighting suits: the moisture barrier.
The gear designed to save lives is silently taking them.
Why We Fight
This mission started at the University of Waterloo – but the spark came from home.
Our co-founder Drew Davidson’s mother served over 30 years as a firefighter. Her courage inspired us, but so did the risk she carried every single day.
When we learned that her protective gear was laced with PFAS, we knew we couldn’t stand by. With Drew’s background in nanotechnology and chemical engineering, and a founding team passionate about bridging science and business, ArcticEdge Technologies was born.
Our Breakthrough
Our Material
At ArcticEdge Technologies, we’ve developed the first PFAS-free moisture barrier that protects firefighters without compromising on durability, breathability, or performance.
- PFAS-Free – No toxic exposure, no banned materials
- High-Performance – Just as strong, breathable, and reliable as the current standard
- Seamless Fit – Designed to integrate into existing gear manufacturing
Firefighters shouldn’t have to choose between safety on the fireground and safety from cancer. Now, they don’t have to.
Why It’s Different
For decades, moisture barriers have relied on PFAS because they seemed unbeatable for water resistance and durability. The cost? A lifetime of toxic exposure for the people wearing them. Our breakthrough proves that protection doesn’t have to come with a hidden price.
By rethinking the material at the molecular level, we’ve created a barrier that blocks water, chemicals, and pathogens while staying flexible, breathable, and light. It performs under extreme heat, survives repeated wash cycles, and maintains its integrity in the harshest conditions. In short: everything firefighters expect from their gear, minus the cancer risk.
Find us in the News
i.d.e.a Fund Cohort 4: Boundless Accelerator
“This cohort represents a dynamic cross-section of companies driving forward clean technology and circular economy solutions,” said Alison Crumblehulme, CEO of Boundless Accelerator.
UN Sustainable Development Cohort of AC:Studio
Selected startups will receive up to $100,000 in seed funding and work with the AC and innovation partners from CarbonGraph, Conestoga College, SnapPea Design, WEtech Alliance, to launch, grow, and scale Ontario-made solutions that drive both economic growth and the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Rice Business Plan Competition Top 15 Finalist
The RBPC is the world’s largest and richest intercollegiate student startup competition and is hosted annually by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship.
Stu Clark New Venture Championships: Finalist
The Stu Clark New Venture Championships is a premier business plan competition for student entrepreneurs across the globe. Compete for over $72,000 in cash prizes, connect with industry leaders, and pitch your big idea on April 30 – May 2, 2026 hosted at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Velocity 5K Win
The Summer 2024 Velocity Pitch Competition saw eight finalist teams who showcased their innovative solutions in front of a panel of judges.
CityNews Feature
UW grad student researching alternatives to PFAS in firefighter gear.
CambridgeToday Feature
Retired Cambridge firefighter’s toxic gear inspires son to find a safe alternative.
Deep Tech Scholarship Win
Chemical engineering graduate student Drew Davidson is working to develop novel material to create firefighting gear that will not degrade and cause occupational cancer.
Education News Canada
Reducing cancer risk with new firefighting gear
Solicitor General Visits
The Honorable Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s Solicitor General, visited the Department of Chemical Engineering to show support for a graduate student’s project.
Velocity Feature
Drawing inspiration from his mother’s 32-year career as a firefighter, Drew is developing safer alternatives to PFAS-infused gear, which are known to increase the risk of cancer among firefighters.
Our Team
Co-Founder
Drew Davidson, BASc, MEng, PhD
Nanotechnology & Chemical Engineering expert, inspired by his mother’s firefighting career.
Co-Founder
Kade Truman, BSc, MBET
Science & Business background with a passion for turning deep science into real-world solutions.
Research Associate
Estatira Amirieh, MEng
Chemical engineer dedicated to sustainability and safety.
Research Co-op
Lewis Crighton, BASc
Nanotechnology student committed to applying science for impact.
Advisor
Milad Kamkar
Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo. Expert in soft materials science.
Recognized and Backed by Leaders in Innovation
Our breakthrough hasn’t gone unnoticed. ArcticEdge Technologies is proud to be supported by some of Canada’s top innovation hubs, including League of Innovators, the Accelerator Centre, Velocity, and the University of Waterloo.
These partnerships give us access to world-class mentorship, funding, and resources — helping us move faster from lab to market, and ensuring our PFAS-free barrier reaches the firefighters who need it most.
More Than an Innovation, A Movement
Our vision is bigger than firefighting.
We see a future where no protective gear contains chemicals that harm the people who wear it in any industry, anywhere in the world.
Starting here. Starting now.
