Simavai's AI Simulation Platform Targets the Engineering Lab and the Classroom

Two years out of a University of Toronto lab, Simavai is trying to sell AI-powered simulation to two different buyers. The first is an industrial engineer, frustrated by the time and data required for complex multiphysics modeling. The second is a university professor, looking for an affordable way to give students hands-on lab experience. The startup’s bet is that the same core technology can serve both, a dual-market approach that is either ambitious or unfocused, depending on the quarter.

Forge AI, the flagship product, is pitched as an AI-native environment for engineering simulation. It combines generative AI, multiphysics solvers, and physics-informed machine learning to automate workflows for tasks like digital twin creation [ALL IN, 2026]. The platform runs on cloud infrastructure, with an AI agent guiding users through model setup and result interpretation [Flypix.ai, August 2026]. Target sectors include aerospace, automotive, and energy [ALL IN, 2026].

Its sibling product, LABonWEB, is an EdTech platform. It uses similar simulation and AI techniques to create virtual learning modules for educational institutions [F6S, August 2026 update]. Pricing starts at C$15 per user for a four-month cycle, with a free trial cycle also offered, positioning it as an accessible entry point [F6S, August 2026 update].

The Academic Wedge

The company’s origins are academic. Founders Morteza Javid and Ali Rahimi are PhD alumni from the University of Toronto, and the initial concept appears rooted in bridging gaps in digital education [F6S, August 2026 update]. Javid, the CEO, is an engineering scientist whose profile lists interests in high-performance computing and scientific simulation [LinkedIn, retrieved 2026]. He won an Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in 2023, and the company was nominated for an Excellence in Tech & AI award, providing early external validation within the Canadian SME landscape [LinkedIn (LABonWEB page), June 2024] [LinkedIn (Ali Rahimi), retrieved 2026].

The team structure reflects the dual-product focus. Public profiles list a Chief Operating Officer and a President specifically for LABonWEB, suggesting operational separation for the EdTech arm [LinkedIn (Behrang Mohajer), retrieved 2026] [LinkedIn (Panagiotis Fotopoulos), retrieved 2026]. According to one source, LABonWEB itself operates with a team of two [RocketReach, retrieved 2026].

A Table for Two Markets

Simavai’s strategy places it in two distinct competitive arenas, with different sets of players and customer expectations.

Product	Primary Market	Key Competitors
Forge AI	Industrial R&D & Engineering	Established CAE software vendors (ANSYS, Siemens)
LABonWEB	Educational Institutions (EdTech)	Labster, Lab4U, Science Practical Simulator [F6S, August 2026 update]

Forge AI enters a market dominated by legacy computer-aided engineering (CAE) giants. Its wedge is speed and accessibility via AI-assisted workflows, aiming to reduce the expertise barrier for complex simulations. LABonWEB, meanwhile, competes in a niche of virtual science labs, where its AI and simulation tech could differentiate it from more static educational content.

The Capital and Traction Question

Public traction metrics for the industrial platform are not disclosed. The clearest signal is investment from LabEight* Ventures, a venture-building initiative [F6S, August 2026 update]. The round size and valuation are undisclosed. For the EdTech side, the accessible pricing and free-trial model are classic SaaS growth levers, but scale is unproven. The identified competitors,Labster, Lab4U,are established in the virtual lab space, making customer acquisition a key hurdle.

The most immediate risk for Simavai is not technological but strategic: resource dilution. Engineering simulation and educational software have different sales cycles, compliance needs, and feature roadmaps. A small team splitting focus risks building two adequate products instead of one category-leading one. The company’s answer likely hinges on shared R&D. The core simulation engine and AI models could theoretically power both products, creating efficiency.

What Comes After the Seed

The next twelve months will test that thesis. Key milestones to watch include:

• Industrial pilot deals. A named design win in aerospace or automotive for Forge AI would validate the industrial product beyond academic research.
• Educational institutional contracts. Landing a multi-department deal at a university for LABonWEB would prove the EdTech model can scale.
• Follow-on funding. An undisclosed seed from LabEight* Ventures sets the table. The next round will need to show convergence or decisive leadership in one of the two lanes.

For now, Simavai operates with the latitude of an early-stage bet. It has backing from a venture builder, a technically credentialed founding team, and a product live in two forms. The question for LabEight* Ventures, and for any future investor, is whether the next check finances a focused attack on one market or a continued double play.

Sources

1. [ALL IN, 2026] ALL IN | 2026 Industries - All In AI Event | https://allinevent.ai/pages/2026-industries
2. [F6S, August 2026 update] F6S - Simavai (LABonWEB) | https://www.f6s.com/company/simavai-labonweb
3. [Flypix.ai, August 2026] Top 20 AI Simulation Companies (2026) | https://flypix.ai/blog/top-ai-simulation-companies-2026/
4. [LinkedIn, retrieved 2026] Morteza Javid | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/morteza-javid-phd-p-eng-07205110/
5. [LinkedIn (LABonWEB page), June 2024] LABonWEB LinkedIn Post - Immigrant Entrepreneur Award | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7077651016603072512
6. [LinkedIn (Ali Rahimi), retrieved 2026] Ali Rahimi - Centre for Advanced Coating Technologies | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alire/
7. [LinkedIn (Behrang Mohajer), retrieved 2026] Behrang Mohajer - Chief Operating Officer - LABonWEB | https://ca.linkedin.com/in/behrang-mohajer-19511537
8. [LinkedIn (Panagiotis Fotopoulos), retrieved 2026] Panagiotis Fotopoulos - President at LabOnWeb | https://www.linkedin.com/in/panagiotis-fotopoulos-6a2a2916/
9. [RocketReach, retrieved 2026] LABonWEB Information | https://rocketreach.co/labonweb-profile_b70557d9c50ff0ea