ecosystem / people / daniel-choi
D

Daniel Choi

Co-founder, Penta Medical

HealthTech

Daniel Choi co-founded Penta Medical with Alexa Roeper. The Waterloo-region startup built PentaVO, a wearable cold-laser therapy device. The University of Waterloo reported in 2016 that he started the company as a mechatronics engineering student, and in 2019 that he designed the device's hardware. PentaVO received U.S. FDA approval in 2018.

Daniel hasn’t spoken on a TechTO, TechVancouver or TechWaterloo stage. This profile is here because Daniel co-founded Penta Medical, which appears in 1 talk in the archive.

Around the web ×1

Quick answers

Did Daniel Choi co-found Penta Medical?

Yes. Waterloo Engineering reported on September 8, 2016 that "Penta Medical was founded by Daniel Choi, a Waterloo mechatronics engineering student, and biomedical sciences student Alexa Roeper." Velocity's company page for Penta Medical, checked September 23, 2026, lists its founders as Alexa Roeper and Daniel Choi.

What was his part in building PentaVO?

The hardware. A University of Waterloo story dated December 9, 2019 says Roeper "teamed up with Daniel Choi, a Waterloo mechatronics engineering alumnus, to design the hardware", and that they also employed a developer to build the device software and a recovery-tracking app.

What did Penta Medical make?

PentaVO, a wearable cold-laser therapy and data-collection device. BioTuesdays reported on November 27, 2018 that it had received FDA approval that July "for the improvement of circulation and the reduction of joint pain and stiffness", and that the company was targeting professional sports teams, orthopedic doctors and physical therapists.

Did the company win early recognition?

Yes. Waterloo Engineering reported on September 8, 2016 that Penta Medical, then based at Velocity Science, made the top five in Canada for the James Dyson Award. Velocity reported on December 2, 2016 that Penta Medical won a $25,000 prize and an additional $10,000 at the Velocity Fund Finals.

Suggest an edit
This is you? Claim this profileAsk to be removed
Know someone who belongs here? Suggest a profile
Maintained by TechTO · facts sourced and dated · last reviewed Sep 23, 2026