What is active mobility?
Active mobility is the autonomy of movement that allows people to independently engage with their surroundings, such as maintaining a regular exercise routine, commuting to a fulfilling job, visiting family and friends, or exploring a new part of the world.
Active mobility combines assistive, accessible and rehabilitative technologies to create a more sustainable and self-reliant experience for people living with disabilities.
Examples of eligible active mobility technologies include:
- AI or robotics that support physical or cognitive independence
- Smart wearables that enhance body awareness, balance, energy use, gait or motion
- Tools that personalize the way someone interacts with their environment
- Voice, gesture or alternative-input systems for hands-free control
- Transportation tech: micro-mobility, inclusive rideshare, adaptive devices
- Sensors or IoT systems that make homes, vehicles or cities more intuitive
- Systems that support healthy aging, workplace inclusion or remote care
- Tech for inclusive gaming, sports or recreation
- And many other innovations that improve how we live, move and communicate
Members of this exclusive cohort will be given access to a suite of benefits, including:
- Funding: Selected ventures will receive up to $100,000 to participate in the two-year cohort.
- Advisory support: Guidance from sector experts and experienced entrepreneurs in Canada and from TMF’s ecosystem.
- Commercialization workshops: Structured curriculum customized to a venture’s sector, stage and needs, focusing on building the business, communication and leadership skills.
- Public Relations (PR) Accelerator: The MaRS PR Accelerator amplifies brand and product awareness by refining messaging and securing media coverage, as well as building visibility throughout the ecosystem.
- Tailored strategic introductions: Meetings and showcases with collaborators, investors, strategic partners and other ecosystem partners.
- A community of collaborators: Participants join a vibrant community of active mobility entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
- Access to physical space: Startup founders will have access to coworking space in the MaRS Centre where they can collaborate, network and continue to advance their innovations.
Members of this exclusive cohort will be given access to a suite of benefits, including:
Timeline
Submissions open: May 1, 2025
Informational webinar: May 30, 2025
Submissions close: June 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST
First-stage screening: June 16–20, 2025
Assessment interviews: July 7–July 18, 2025
Successful applicants announcement: August 1, 2025
Onboarding and cohort kickoff: August 4, 2025
Cohort completion: July 31, 2027
Timeline
Cohort program eligibility
The following criteria will determine if an applicant (also referred to as the Venture or Company) is eligible for the cohort program, and which applicants would be the best fit:
- You are the main technology innovator, individual leading/co-leading or part of a business venture that is registered or in the process of registering as a Canadian corporation by July 18, 2025*.
- For ventures not currently located near the Toronto Hub, collaborator Toronto Global is able to assist with localization resources.
- Your venture has successfully validated its product or service in the market, progressing towards expansion and commercialization.
- You have limited applications or sales consistent with a pre-growth stage.
In addition to applicant eligibility, your technological innovation should:
- Fall under the definition of “active mobility” which, for the purposes of this cohort, is defined as “provides effective and fair participation in society, particularly for persons with disabilities — defined as the enhancement of personal autonomy and active independence, resulting in increased participation in out-of-home work, social activities, education and healthcare access, and lifelong opportunities..”
- Be proprietary and/or patentable.
- Have the potential to scale globally for major impact.
- Directly improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities.
- Fall within TRL6 and TRL9 on the nine-point Technology Readiness Level spectrum as per described:
- TRL6: System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment.
- TRL7: Prototype ready for demonstration in an appropriate operational environment.
- TRL8: Actual technology completed and qualified through tests and demonstrations.
- TRL9: Actual technology proven through successful deployment in an operational setting.
About the hub
The Mobility Unlimited Hub is for startups that have had initial success developing active mobility products, but face challenges bringing these innovations to market. The hub offers a path to successful commercialization, serving as a bridge from pre-growth stage success to entering the mass market.
Ventures that specialize in active mobility solutions encounter such complex barriers as awareness, stigma, funding support, resistance to change and adoption that make their go-to-market journey even more challenging than that of other startups. Addressing these issues requires a holistic and human-centered approach. The Mobility Unlimited Hub is a launchpad to fast-track active mobility ventures through the product development and proof-of-concept phase.
About the hub
Eugene Cherny, Cheelcare
Cheelcare - An Ontario-based startup that designs advanced mobility solutions, including power add-ons and complex rehab wheelchairs, to enhance mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities. Their products feature intuitive controls, customizable settings, and robust specifications for improved quality of life.
Francois Beauchamp-Verdon, AWL-Electricity
AWL-Electricity - A Quebec-based startup designing the world’s first autonomous and wireless charging station for motorized mobility aids and the micro-mobility sector. This solution increases user autonomy and integrates into public and commercial spaces without the need for human intervention.
Manmeet Maggu, Trexo Robotics
Trexo Robotics - An Ontario-based startup developing wearable robotic exoskeletons for children with mobility disabilities, enabling them to walk independently. Their Robotic Gait Trainer transforms lives by making walking accessible for children across the world.
Pooja Viswanathan, Braze Mobility
Braze Mobility - An Ontario-based startup offers the world's first blind spot sensors for wheelchairs, providing audio, visual, and vibration alerts to help users avoid obstacles. This solution enhances safety and confidence for wheelchair users by preventing accidents and injuries.
Mehdi Masoumi, Deaf AI
Co-founder
Deaf AI - An Ontario-based startup aims to make society and the digital world more inclusive for Deaf people by providing AI-based real-time voice-to-sign language interpretation. This initiative enhances public and digital accessibility for people with hearing loss.
Tracey McGillivray, Axtion Independence Mobility
Axtion Independence Mobility - A Nova Scotia-based startup that developed the RAYMEXTM Lift, a portable, personal mobility device designed to assist with everyday activities, fall prevention, and recovery.
