About the Hubs

Mobility Unlimited Hubs are for startups that have had initial success developing active mobility products, only to run into challenges taking these innovations to market. Mobility Unlimited Hubs offer a path to successful commercialization, serving as a bridge from early-stage success to entering the mass market.

Ventures that specialize in active mobility experience a distinct go-to-market journey, encountering multifaceted barriers (e.g., stigma, awareness, funding support, resistance to change, adoption) that set them apart from other startups. Addressing these barriers requires a holistic, communal and human-centered approach, and Mobility Unlimited Hubs act as a launchpad to fast-track active mobility ventures through the product development and proof-of-concept phase.

About the Hubs

What is active mobility?

Active mobility is more than getting from A to B. It’s having the autonomy of movement that allows us to be actively independent, like maintaining a favourite exercise routine, commuting to a fulfilling job, visiting family and friends, or setting off to see a new part of the world.

Active mobility combines assistive, accessibility, and rehabilitation technologies to create a more sustainable and self-reliant experience for people living with disabilities.

Assistive Technology: Devices or software designed to help improve a person’s functioning and independence.

Accessibility Technology: Solutions to make digital content, products, services and physical environments more inclusive for a wider range of people, including those with disabilities.

Rehabilitation Technology: Tools and equipment specifically designed to aid individuals in maintaining their independence by reducing, managing or preventing injuries and/or reclaiming control over their environment.

Examples of active mobility technology include: advanced prosthetic limbs, artificial intelligence, chatbots, exoskeletons, e-textiles, haptic technology, motion or eye-tracking technology, robotics, sensors, speech-generating devices, telerehabilitation, virtual and augmented reality, voice assistants, wearables, etc.

Toronto Hub Goals

The inaugural Mobility Unlimited Hub is focused on advancing active mobility solutions. It has three main objectives:

  • Identify the most promising active mobility ventures and help them overcome stigma, funding, and commercialization barriers.
  • Build support for their success via a curated mix of mentorship, educational programming, access to market intelligence, and a community of collaborators.
  • Activate the community of organizations and networks of experts to support growth and commercialization.

Toronto Hub Goals

COHORT
Eugene Cherny, Cheelcare

Eugene Cherny, Cheelcare

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

Francois Beauchamp-Verdon, AWL-Electricity

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 Robotica

Manmeet Maggu, Trexo Robotica

Manmeet Maggu, Trexo Robotica

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

Pooja Viswanathan, Braze Mobility

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.

Shubh Mittal, Seleste

Shubh Mittal, Seleste

Shubh Mittal, Seleste

Seleste Innovations - A Western Canada-based startup that develops smart glasses specifically designed to assist the blind and visually impaired, enhancing their navigation and interaction with the environment.

Mehdi Masoumi and Azadeh Bojmehrani, Deaf AI

Mehdi Masoumi and Azadeh Bojmehrani, Deaf AI

Co-founders

Mehdi Masoumi and Azadeh Bojmehrani, Deaf AI

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

Tracey McGillivray, Axtion Independence Mobility

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.

PARTICIPANT BENEFITS

As part of this exclusive cohort, you get access to:

 

Funding

Selected ventures will receive between $35K to $50K to participate in the one (1) year cohort. The total amount will be dependent on the number of ventures selected.

Advisory support

Guidance from sector experts and experienced entrepreneurs in Canada.

Commercialization workshops

Participate in a structured curriculum customized to your venture’s sector, stage and needs — focusing on building your business, communication and leadership skills.

Public Relations (PR) Accelerator

The MaRS PR Accelerator goes beyond traditional media coverage — amplifying brand visibility at media dinners and speaking engagements and fostering thought leadership.

Access and introductions

Participate in meetings and showcases with collaborators, investors, strategic partners, and other ecosystem partners.

A community of collaborators

Participate in a vibrant community of active mobility entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

Who we are looking for

The Mobility Unlimited Hub Toronto is seeking startups that are ready for the next level of support to take their personal mobility inventions to market. Specifically, we’re looking for:

  • Business ventures that are registered as a Canadian corporation.
  • Solutions that directly improve life for people living with disabilities.

Who we are looking for

Timeline

Application Launch: March 7, 2024
Informational Webinar: April 4, 2024
Application close: April 18, 2024 11:59 p.m. EST
Assessment Interviews: May 2024
Successful Applicants Announcement: May 30, 2024
Onboarding & Cohort Kickoff: June 3, 2024
Cohort completion: May 2025

Timeline

CRITERIA

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 or individual leading/co-leading a Canadian business.
  • You are part of a business venture that is registered as a Canadian corporation by June 3, 2024.

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 equal participation in society, particularly persons with disabilities — defined as the enhancement of personal autonomy and active independence, resulting in increased participation in out-of-home work, social activities and lifelong opportunities. Active mobility combines assistive, accessibility, and rehabilitation technology to create a more sustainable and self-reliant experience for all people independent of ability.”
  • Be proprietary and/or patentable.
  • Have the potential to scale globally for major impact.
  • Directly impact people with disabilities.

  • Fall within TRL5 and TRL9 on the nine-point Technology Readiness Level spectrum as per described:
    • TRL5: component and/or validation in a simulated environment
    • 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.
Mobility Unlimited Hub Community Members

Contact

If you would like to get in touch with us or are interested in joining our community, please contact us at
mobilityunlimitedhub@marsdd.com.