Electronic Products & Technology

Accessibility Tech Pitch competition open for applications

Stephen Law   

Electronics Engineering tech innovation tech innovation

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) recently announced the opening of applications for the next Accessibility Innovation Showcase (AIS) and Accessibility Tech Pitch Competition, which includes $20,000 in prize money available. 

The AIS is presented as part of OCE’s annual Discovery Conference, which runs April 30-May 1, 2018 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The AIS bridges many sectors and brings together industry and entrepreneurs, showcasing and promoting groundbreaking technologies that are improving the lives of people with disabilities.

“The Accessibility Innovation Showcase is an inspiring mix of brilliant minds sharing creative ideas that can help fuel future technologies. These technologies will improve the lives of people with disabilities. We are proud to support this prestigious and pioneering event,” says Tracy MacCharles, Minister Responsible for Accessibility.

At this year’s Discovery, 35 companies will have a platform to present their innovative assistive devices and technologies to the broader innovation ecosystem, with five of those companies becoming finalists in the $20,000 Pitch Competition. During the competition, each company is given 10 minutes to pitch their innovative product or service to both the accessibility community and a panel of judges, with the winner being awarded $20,000 to further develop their assistive technology innovation.

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“Ontario’s entrepreneurs are unlocking the potential of accessibility technology and the Accessibility Innovation Showcase is an excellent celebration and demonstration of these breakthrough innovations,” says Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. “Our government is proud to support this event each year as part of our commitment to creating an inclusive province where people of all abilities can thrive.”

For more information on the application process for the Accessibility Innovation Showcase (AIS) and the Accessibility Tech Pitch Competition, please visit the application page.  While improving the lives of people with disabilities, technologies such as speech-to-text, which start as assistive devices, often find broader application and wider audiences, making Discovery an exciting space for the convergence of

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