Activate!Vaughan Innovation Challenge focuses on healthcare innovation

Dec. 9, 2020 10:00 a.m.
City of Vaughan
​Seventy-eight startups competed for the chance to win grant funding
 
Earlier this year, the City of Vaughan launched the second round of the Activate!Vaughan Innovation Challenge in search of groundbreaking health-tech solutions. The City, in partnership with presenting sponsors the Province of Ontario and Sterling Industries, and program partners Mackenzie Health, the Mackenzie Innovation Institute (Mi2), SE Health, ventureLAB, York Region and The Hub, called on entrepreneurs to present innovative business solutions that will advance a technology-enabled healthcare system in its delivery of high-quality, effective and patient-focused care.
 
A total of 78 startups and more than 100 entrepreneurs participated in the Activate!Vaughan Health Innovation Challenge. Finalists were selected to pitch their solutions to one of the four problem statements for a chance to win provincial and private grant funding from a pool of $45,000.
 
The judges selected a winner for each of the four problem statements. The top eight companies overall will receive a $5,000 provincial grant ($40,000 in total provincial funding). The top companies overall were:
 
  • Caribou – a platform that elevates the home care experience for agencies, professional caregivers, and families by creating a more responsive connection between those who need care and those who provide it.
  • Swan Cytologics –the SWANglide ultrasound-enhanced needle biopsy improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs by solving the problems of needle biopsy inadequacy and inefficiency, making it essential for oncology care and precision medicine.
  • Phyxable – an end-to-end virtual physical therapy platform that empowers people in pain to quickly diagnose, self-care, and prevent their injuries from coming back without stepping outside of their home.
  • Hyivy Health – a pelvic rehabilitation device with trackable data for women who have pelvic cancers and diseases to help alleviate pelvic health symptoms after a devastating diagnosis, treatment or surgery.
  • Steadiwear – a compact and battery-free stabilizing glove that is designed to intelligently reduce hand tremors that may result from Essential Tremor or Parkinson’s Disease.
  • Rekammend – an innovative Augmentative and Alternative Communication software for individuals who face challenges communicating using verbal speech.
  • Fero International Inc. – pressurized mobile medical units creating additional capacity for ICUs, operating rooms, long-term care, triage centres and other care needs.
  • Verto – a Digital Twin Platform enabling care team to co-ordinate and collaborate to improve patient outcomes by streamlining patient data-sharing throughout care journeys and across care organizations.
The winners of the challenge were:
 
  • Challenge #1 – The Immersed Patient Experience: Phyxable
  • Challenge #2 – Breaking Down Communication Barriers: Rekammend
  • Challenge #3 – Toward Smarter Scheduling: Caribou
  • Challenge #4 – Innovative Medical Devices: Swan Cytologics

The winner of the Sterling Industries Award was Swan Cytologics, which will receive an additional $5,000 grant. The winners of the Jonah Group prizes were Phyxable, which will receive two weeks of services, and Fero International Inc., which will receive a $5,000 credit to be applied to consulting services. 

In addition, winning ventures from the pitch challenge will receive dedicated support, including specialized workshops and focused mentorship from experienced advisors at ventureLAB.
 
QUOTE
 
“Ideas have the power to transform the way businesses operate. In Vaughan, we are committed to providing entrepreneurs with the tools required to drive innovation and achieve the ultimate goal of creating a successful business. Participants in the City’s Activate!Vaughan Innovation Challenge presented groundbreaking business solutions to advance a technology-enabled healthcare system that delivers high-quality, effective and patient-focused care. Programs like Activate!Vaughan catalyze Vaughan’s economic prosperity, showcase our entrepreneurial spirit and promote healthcare innovation.  I want to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our emerging entrepreneurs for their efforts to advance world-class healthcare in our city and offer my congratulations to all the winners of this competitive challenge. By fostering connections between Vaughan’s corporate leaders and our resilient entrepreneurial network, together, we are laying the foundation for a bright and promising future for all.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • This is the second of five challenges in the Activate!Vaughan program that will take place by the end of 2022.
  • Through the challenge, local startups received mentorship from experts at the partnering organizations to help them develop and refine their solutions.
  • The continued support of innovation programs likeActivate!Vaughan, which connects entrepreneurs to market-driven entrepreneurship opportunities and mentorship from industry leaders, aligns with the City’s Economic and Cultural Development department’s Business Resilience Plan.
  • Programs like Activate!Vaughan catalyze Vaughan’s economic prosperity, showcase its entrepreneurial spirit and promote innovation – all priorities outlined in the Council-approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
  • In the spring of 2021, the City will host a Demo Day where a final $10,000 grant will be awarded to one of the winning ventures.
  • To stay up to date on the latest updates as they happen, residents are encouraged to sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
  • Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health at 1-877-464-9675 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19. 
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