Have a solution to advance the City’s smart technology?

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Have a solution to advance the City’s smart technology?

2/16/2021 10:00 AM

Collaborate with industry leaders through the Activate!Vaughan Smart City Challenge

The City of Vaughan is looking for groundbreaking smart city solutions! A first-of-its-kind program in Ontario, the Activate!Vaughan Smart City Challenge is calling on entrepreneurs, startups and scale-up businesses to propose innovative smart city technologies to enhance the quality of life in Vaughan and beyond.

The City, in partnership with the province of Ontario, York Region, The HUB, Alectra Utilities, Mackenzie Health, Mackenzie Innovation Institute (Mi2), ventureLAB and Vaughan Public Libraries, is calling on entrepreneurs to pitch smart city solutions in four challenge areas: Electric Mobility, Municipal Services Route Optimization, Age-friendly Communities and Intelligent Placemaking. Applications are open until Friday, March 5.

This is the third of five challenges presented through the Activate!Vaughan innovation program. The Smart City Challenge will kick off with a rapid scoping period launching today. Ventures accepted to the program will be invited to access one-on-one mentorship with industry experts beginning March 15. Participants will pitch their ideas at a virtual pitch event the week of May 3, judged by industry experts, for the opportunity to win up to $5,000 in provincial grant funding. A total of $25,000 is available through the program.

All programming will be delivered virtually throughout the following phases:

1. Reverse Pitch and Rapid Scoping

Entrepreneurs must apply to be accepted to the program.
Entrepreneurs gain access to reverse pitch videos by challenge partners to develop background knowledge relating to the challenge statements.
Live Q and As with subject matter experts the week of Monday, March 8.

2. Expert Mentorship – Monday, March 15 to Friday, April 9

Entrepreneurs will gain access to one-on-one mentorship from partners and business mentors.

3. Pitch Challenge – Entrepreneurs apply to be selected for final pitch by Friday, April 16

Selected entrepreneurs will be invited to pitch their innovative smart city solutions to a panel of judges for the opportunity to win provincial grant funding and other prizes.
Pitch challenges during the week of May 3.

4. Commercialization Program – May to August 2021

Winning ventures from the pitch challenge will receive dedicated support, including specialized workshops and focused mentorship from experienced advisors. Selected ventures will also be invited to engage in deeper consultation with program partners regarding potential applications for their solution. Demo Day is scheduled for late August 2021.

The Activate!Vaughan program is powered by the Province of Ontario through the Starter Company Plus program. The continued support of innovation programs like Activate!Vaughan that connect high-potential 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.

The Business Resilience Plan, which was presented to the City’s Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee of Council on June 23, focuses on securing Vaughan’s place as the Region’s largest employment centre, enhancing Vaughan’s key strategic economic drivers like the city’s downtown commercial zone, manufacturing and logistics, the health and tourism industries, and leveraging public spaces by supporting community events and the arts community.

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.

For program details and to register, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/activate.

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