Leading the advancement in touchless interaction with custom technological solutions. Our deep understanding of user behavior drives us to design intuitive and practical products for diverse medical and industrial sectors.
Leadership Team
Dr. Nima Ziraknejad is a distinguished leader in technological innovation and entrepreneurship, serving as the Founder and CEO of NZ Technologies (NZTech). With over 24 years of experience, he has successfully transformed cutting-edge R&D into commercially impactful solutions across multiple industries, including healthcare, automotive, mining, oil & gas, and retail. His pioneering work in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-machine interaction technologies has redefined digital surgery and touchless control systems.
Under his leadership, NZTech has developed and commercialized groundbreaking products, including the FDA-approved TIPSO AirPad™ and HoverTap™ MD. These innovations enable hospitals to improve patient throughput, enhance surgical precision, reduce infection risks, and achieve cost savings—ultimately leading to higher efficiency and increased revenue for healthcare facilities. Under his guidance, the company has successfully navigated complex regulatory pathways and secured strategic partnerships with global industry leaders such as Barco, Stryker, Olympus, Shimadzu Medical, Siemens, and Philips.
A serial entrepreneur and Professional Engineer, Dr. Ziraknejad holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia. His research and innovations have earned him over 45 international patents. Before founding NZTech, he was one of the key founding members of Motion Metrics International, which was later acquired by Weir Esco for nearly $200M. His prior work also includes leading the development of a 3D machine vision system for military de-mining excavators at Defence R&D Canada (DRDC).
His leadership has positioned NZTech as a pioneer in medical technology, earning the company recognition as BC Tech's Company of the Year – Startup Success in 2020. His ability to align engineering innovation with market needs continues to drive advancements in healthcare technology worldwide.
Pranav Saxena is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at NZ Technologies Inc. (NZTech), where he has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s technological advancements and global impact. As a Professional Engineer in British Columbia, Canada, Pranav brings over 13 years of experience in technology innovation, with a focus on cutting-edge hardware and software solutions for medical and industrial applications.
As one of the founding inventors of NZTech’s flagship touchless technologies, TIPSO™ and HoverTap™, Pranav has been instrumental in developing groundbreaking human-machine interfaces designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and usability in healthcare and other industries. His expertise spans embedded systems, AI-driven interfaces, machine vision, sensor development, and user-focused technology design, positioning NZTech as a leader in contactless interaction solutions.
Throughout his tenure, Pranav has spearheaded the company’s engineering developments, clinical trials, and international regulatory approvals, ensuring NZTech’s innovations meet stringent healthcare standards. His contributions have led to over 15 patents and the successful commercial deployment of touchless technology in hospitals worldwide. Under his technical leadership, NZTech has secured strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Philips, Olympus, Barco, Siemens, Shimadzu, and many more, further reinforcing the company’s position in the medical technology space.
Pranav’s technical journey began with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Physics (Electrical Specialization) from the University of British Columbia, where he honed his skills in electrical engineering, robotics, and computational modeling. He is deeply passionate about solving complex technical challenges, pushing the boundaries of human-machine interaction, and transforming research into practical, real-world applications.
Beyond engineering, Pranav is an entrepreneur at heart, actively engaging in business strategy, industry collaborations, and market development. His leadership extends to managing NZTech’s highly skilled engineering team, composed of experts in biomedical engineering, IT, manufacturing, embedded software, PCB design, and sensor technology. Together, they have propelled NZTech’s touchless interface solutions to the forefront of the healthcare industry.
With a track record of leading product innovation, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and forging strong industry partnerships, Pranav continues to play a crucial role in shaping NZTech’s growth and technological impact. His vision for the future involves expanding the application of touchless technology beyond healthcare, leveraging AI and robotics to redefine how humans interact with digital systems in various environments.
Nasim is a highly experienced UX and Interaction Designer with over 19 years of expertise in crafting intuitive and high performance user experiences. As the Director of UX Design at NZTech, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the way users especially doctors and clinicians interact with cutting edge medical technologies. Her work ensures that NZTech’s innovative solutions not only meet the highest industry standards but also provide a seamless, efficient, and intuitive experience in demanding healthcare environments where precision and accuracy are critical.
Nasim’s journey into UX design began with a background in Architecture before transitioning to New Media Design and later specializing in UX and Interaction Design at Simon Fraser University School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SFU SIAT). Over the past 9 years at NZTech, she has been fully dedicated to Human Computer Interaction, leading the design and development of graphical user interfaces that power FDA approved products now actively used in hospitals and clinical settings. She has played a key role in transforming complex medical workflows into streamlined, user friendly experiences, enhancing both patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.
Her expertise spans the entire UX design process, from conceptualizing low fidelity prototypes to refining high fidelity interfaces for final deployment. By implementing user centric design methodologies and conducting extensive usability testing, she ensures that clinicians can rely on NZTech’s solutions with confidence, optimizing their ability to make fast, informed decisions in high stakes environments.
As healthcare technology continues to evolve, Nasim remains at the forefront of UX innovation, ensuring that NZTech’s products maintain their reputation for reliability, precision, and ease of use. Her leadership in UX design not only enhances the functionality of medical technology but also empowers healthcare professionals to deliver better patient care.
Board of Directors
Dr. Nima Ziraknejad is a distinguished leader in technological innovation and healthcare-focused entrepreneurship, serving as the Founder and CEO of NZ Technologies (NZTech). With over 24 years of experience, he has successfully transformed cutting-edge R&D into commercially impactful solutions, particularly in healthcare. His pioneering work in robotic manipulators, artificial intelligence, image processing, and touchless technologies has redefined digital surgery.
Under his leadership, NZTech has developed groundbreaking products, including the FDA-approved TIPSO AirPad™ and HoverTap™ MD, enabling touchless interaction in sterile environments. These innovations enhance surgical precision, reduce infection risks, and optimize clinical workflows. He has successfully navigated complex regulatory pathways and secured strategic partnerships with global industry leaders such as Barco, Olympus, Shimadzu Medical, Siemens, and Philips.
A serial entrepreneur and Professional Engineer in British Columbia, Dr. Ziraknejad has a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia. His research and innovations span healthcare, mining, oil & gas, automotive, and military sectors, earning him over 45 international patents. Before founding NZTech, he was one of the founding members of Weir Esco, a company later acquired for $200M. His prior work also includes leading the development of a 3D machine vision system for military de-mining excavators at Defence R&D Canada (DRDC).
Dr. Ziraknejad has successfully secured $9 million in dilutive and non-dilutive funding for NZTech, supporting R&D, commercialization, and global market expansion. His leadership has positioned NZTech as a pioneer in medical technology, earning the company recognition as BC Tech’s Company of the Year - Startup Success in 2020. His ability to align engineering innovation with market needs continues to drive advancements in healthcare technology worldwide.
Under his leadership, NZTech has developed groundbreaking products, including the FDA-approved TIPSO AirPad™ and HoverTap™ MD, enabling touchless interaction in sterile environments. These innovations enhance surgical precision, reduce infection risks, and optimize clinical workflows. He has successfully navigated complex regulatory pathways and secured strategic partnerships with global industry leaders such as Barco, Olympus, Shimadzu Medical, Siemens, and Philips.
A serial entrepreneur and Professional Engineer in British Columbia, Dr. Ziraknejad has a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia. His research and innovations span healthcare, mining, oil & gas, automotive, and military sectors, earning him over 45 international patents. Before founding NZTech, he was one of the founding members of Weir Esco, a company later acquired for $200M. His prior work also includes leading the development of a 3D machine vision system for military de-mining excavators at Defence R&D Canada (DRDC).
Dr. Ziraknejad has successfully secured $9 million in dilutive and non-dilutive funding for NZTech, supporting R&D, commercialization, and global market expansion. His leadership has positioned NZTech as a pioneer in medical technology, earning the company recognition as BC Tech’s Company of the Year - Startup Success in 2020. His ability to align engineering innovation with market needs continues to drive advancements in healthcare technology worldwide.
Dr. Lesley Esford, the former President of LifeSciences BC, received her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from UBC and has spent many years in academia, industry and government in positions supporting the growth of the Life Sciences sector. Since 2006, she has worked as an ITA for NRC-IRAP, helping over 100 entrepreneurs developing a wide array of products and services, at every stage of the innovation process, from concept to commercialization.
Dr. Kaley Wilson is the Principal and Director of Business Development at Quark Venture, a global health science venture capital group based in Vancouver. She is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities in collaboration with Quark's Investment Committee. Dr. Wilson also served as the interim CEO of ARTMS Products Inc., where she played a pivotal role in securing significant financing and implementing a global sales and marketing strategy. She served as interim CEO at Sitka, a biotherapeutics company with innovative nanoparticle technology.
In addition to her role at Quark Venture, Dr. Wilson is an Advisor and Mentor for Ontario Bioscience's Capital Access Advisory Program, a member of various committees including GlycoNet's Commercialization Committee and Nanomedicines Innovation Network's Research Management Committee. She holds director positions on the boards of Canary Medical, Microbion, IOME, and Crohn's and Colitis Canada, where she chairs the Research Committee. Dr. Wilson is also an Observer on the Boards of ARTMS, Oculogica, and Alpha-9.
Before joining Quark Venture, Dr. Wilson worked as the Associate Director of Partnerships at the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD), where she played a vital role in establishing and maintaining strategic alliances with industry, academia, and government. Her expertise includes drug discovery in the areas of infection, inflammation, and immunity.
Dr. Wilson earned her Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, specializing in lipid-encapsulated nucleic acids' immunomodulatory activity and vaccine potential. Her achievements during her Ph.D. include prestigious scholarships and awards, such as the Doctoral Research Award from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Gattefosse Canada/Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Award in 2008.
Dr. Liu is an Interventional Radiologist and the Associate Professor of Radiology at UBC. He holds appointments at VGH, UBC Hospital, and the BC Cancer Agency. He is active in clinical research in novel embolic platforms, and cancer related thromboembolic disease.
Michael is a seasoned and accomplished professional in the medical device space, starting in the early 1990’s with sales of neurosurgical instruments. He is the CEO at Pacific Surgical. Upon taking on the ownership of PS 10 years ago, he has grown the company which now holds 6 subsidiaries that cover a wide range of surgical devices and services. He brings a wealth of knowledge of the Canadian healthcare market and beyond to guide NZTech’s commercial expansion effort.
Scientific Advisors
Dr. Liu is an Interventional Radiologist and the Associate Professor of Radiology at UBC. He holds appointments at VGH, UBC Hospital, and the BC Cancer Agency. He is active in clinical research in novel embolic platforms, and cancer related thromboembolic disease.
Dr. Robert E. Beasley is a board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist. He obtained his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowships at the University of Miami. He specializes in amputation prevention, carotid artery stenting, and vascular treatments. Dr. Beasley has participated in numerous clinical trials and is a member and Fellow of the Society of Interventional Radiologists and Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions.
Dr. Vitor Mendes Pereira is a renowned neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive procedures for brain and spine conditions. He trained in Brazil and France before working in Switzerland and later Toronto. He focuses on complex neurovascular diseases, pioneering treatments for conditions like arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms. Dr. Pereira is a leader in clinical research and runs the RADIS lab, exploring innovative technologies in neurosurgery. He's also deeply involved in education and has contributed over 260 publications to his field. His recent appointment as the Director of Endovascular Research and Innovation at St. Michael's Hospital showcases his commitment to advancing patient care.
Dr. Chung is an Interventional Radiologist and Clinical Instructor of Radiology at UBC. He is the director of the UBC Interventional Radiology Fellowship Program. He holds clinical appointments at VGH and UBC Hospital.
Prof. Peter Lawrence is a Professor Emeritus in the UBC ECE Department with long-standing research interests and publications in human interface devices and their evaluation. He has relevant experience in image processing, eye/gaze tracker design, mobile machine hand-control design, machine motion simulators, and human coordinated control.