SmartTO

🚀 Applications Now Open: SmartTO Innovation Challenge! 🚀   We’re excited to announce that the SmartTO Innovation Challenge Competition is officially open! After months of open ideation, featuring 123 ideas, 132 comments, and contributions from 68 participants, we've finalized our challenge statement:   🔑 Challenge Statement: How can your startup leverage smart materials and enabling technologies to advance mobility and transportation while enhancing Ontario's position in innovation across: - Sustainable Energy - Intelligent Systems - Last-Mile Delivery This is your chance to create solutions that will help shape the future of urban mobility!   🗓 Important Dates: Info Session: February 19, 2025, 12pm - 1pm (Online) Applications Deadline: March 7, 2025 This competition is open exclusively to startups in Ontario. If you're ready to tackle these challenges and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you!   👉 Apply today: bit.ly/4g9RGIe #SmartTOChallenge25 #SmartTO #InnovationChallenge #Mobility #OntarioStartups #TechSolutions #Entrepreneurship

Are you working on the next big thing in automobility or smart mobility? Whether it's electric vehicle technology, autonomous systems, or smart infrastructure, ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is designed to support innovative hardware startups working on transformational smart mobility solutions With access to a $11M hardware lab, expert mentorship, and support from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, the Hardware Catalyst Initiative can turn your automotive tech ideas into reality. The Hardware Catalyst Initiative supports semiconductor startups with: ● Expert mentorship ● Investment readiness ● State-of-the-art $11M advanced hardware lab Access to a vast partner network including the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Applications open now. Apply today and accelerate your mobility innovations! Link: https://bit.ly/4gz59JE #Automobility #SmartMobility #ElectricVehicles #HardwareCatalyst #ventureLAB0[p;

🔍 Curious How our Innovation Challenge Statement Came to Life? 🔍 The evolution of the SmartTO Innovation Challenge statement was a collaborative journey, shaped by the collective insights of innovators like you! Over several months, we facilitated open ideation, which generated: 123 ideas 132 comments 68 participants These ideas, feedback, and discussions helped us identify the most impactful areas where smart materials and enabling technologies can transform mobility and transportation in #Ontario. As the conversations evolved, two central themes emerged: materials and technology.   From these core areas, three priority themes took shape: 🔋 Sustainable Energy 🤖 Intelligent Systems 🚚 Last-Mile Delivery   The ideation process not only clarified the focus of the challenge but also revealed how these themes will drive Ontario’s leadership in innovation.   Excited to be a part of this transformative journey?  Apply by March 7th to contribute your solutions to these key areas! 👉 bit.ly/4g9RGIe #SmartTOChallenge25 #SmartMaterials #TechInnovation #SustainableEnergy #IntelligentSystems #LastMileDelivery #OntarioInnovation #Mobility #Transportation #InnovationDevelopment

SmartTO Featured in the Toronto Star! 📰   We’re excited to share that SmartTO, York University’s leading smart mobility hub, has been spotlighted in the Toronto Star’s latest tech update! The article highlights our partnership with YSpace, York University and the launch of the Smart Mobility Tech Accelerator (SMTA)—a four-month program supporting eight pioneering startups working on AI-driven, EV, and autonomous mobility solutions.   SmartTO is proud to be an RTDS in the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) network, in partnership with Centennial College. By supporting early-stage ventures, we help bring sustainable, data-driven mobility solutions to life—whether through AI-powered accessibility tools, autonomous robotics, EV infrastructure, or last-mile delivery automation.   The Toronto Star feature showcases some of our groundbreaking startups:   🔹 Deaf AI – AI-powered sign language interpreters 🔹 Kevares Autonomous Services – Autonomous mowers & snow shovels 🔹 SCOOTY – Smart e-scooters & e-bikes 🔹 Kiwi Charge – EV charging solutions 🔹 RideAlike – Peer-to-peer car-sharing 🔹 Aeroport AI – AI-powered aviation ground operations 🔹 Quantity Analytics – Road safety tech 🔹 Real Life Robotics – AI-driven last-mile delivery   At SmartTO, we’re uniting academia, startups, and industry leaders to create smarter, greener, and more accessible urban environments.   Are you an innovator, investor, or policymaker passionate about urban mobility? Let’s collaborate to shape the future. 🚗⚡📡   🔗 Read the full Toronto Star feature: https://lnkd.in/grCv_pBz   #SmartTO #SmartMobility #Innovation #TorontoTech #AI #EV #Startups

This one is for you, Lions! Are you ready to tackle real-world challenges in electric vehicles (EVs), AI in transportation, and sustainable mobility? Join the Automotive Innovation Challenge (AIC), a two-week hackathon-style competition in partnership with SmartTO, Centennial College, and proudly sponsored by the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). What’s in it for you? ✅ Solve industry-sponsored challenges ✅ Gain hands-on experience with design thinking & prototyping ✅ Network with industry leaders & experts ✅ Compete for exclusive prizes, including an exclusive networking opportunity with an industry executive! 📅 When? March 22–29, 2024 📍 Where? Virtual + In-person opportunities 🔗 Apply now! Learn more and secure your spot. https://lnkd.in/gvhCPsMq Applications close March 7, 2024. Don’t miss this chance to innovate, collaborate, and make an impact in Ontario’s fast-evolving automotive sector. Let’s drive the future together! ⚡ #Yspaceyorku #AutomotiveInnovationChallenge #EV #SustainableMobility #Hackathon #YSpace #SmartTO #YorkU #StudentOpportunities #Innovation #FutureOfTransportation

🌟 What an incredible experience at Electric Autonomy's EV Innovation & Technology Conference at York University last Thursday! 🌟 A huge thank you to everyone who made the event such a success—the fantastic speakers, the dedicated organizers, and of course, all the attendees who stopped by our booth to learn more about SmartTO’s programming, resources, and expertise! 🙌 ✨ Key Moments to Remember: Paulina Karwowska-Desaulniers delivered a powerful land acknowledgment during the opening remarks, setting a meaningful tone for the conference and reinforcing SmartTO’s commitment to advancing EV innovation and sustainable energy solutions. We were thrilled to showcase the amazing work happening at Lassonde School of Engineering - York University, including exclusive lab tours of the Power Electronics Lab, Smart Grid Lab, Resilient Intelligent Sustainable Energy Lab (RISE), Freire-Gormaly Lab, and BEST Lab. Plus we had team members highlighting the amazing co-op programs from York's Faculty of Science, Lassonde, and LA&PS. Visitors had the chance to explore next-gen EV optimization, smart grid technology, and sustainable energy solutions firsthand—along with exciting innovations like the SARIT YorkU in action! 🚗💨 It was also fantastic reconnecting with our partners and friends, including Dan Ruby, Director of Sector and Regional Development at Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), and congratulating the winners of our SmartTO Innovation Challenge: Henry Agorua, founder of RenMobi Inc., and Mark Donaldson, Founder and CEO of Quantuity Analytics Inc. Thank you again to everyone who visited our booth, signed up for lab tours, and engaged in such great conversations. We are energized by the opportunity to collaborate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the mobility sector. 🌱⚡️ Let's stay connected and continue to drive forward the future of sustainable energy and EV innovation! #EVIT2025 #EVInnovationTech #SmartTO #SustainableEnergy #EVOptimization #ElectricVehicles #SmartGrid #YorkUniversity #ThankYou

🚗⚡ Final Hours at the Electric Autonomy EV Innovation & Technology Conference at York University! ⚡🚗 A huge thank you to Paulina Karwowska-Desaulniers, our Executive Director, for delivering the land acknowledgment during the opening remarks and setting a meaningful tone for the day. 🙏 SmartTO is proud to showcase the innovative work happening at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering - York University, including the Mobility Innovation Centre (MOVE), the Manufacturing, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Centre (MTEC), and the wonderful co-op programs from the Faculty of Science, Lassonde, and LA&PS. It's an exciting time for collaboration and research! 🌱 There’s still time to visit SmartTO’s booth! We’re showcasing our unique and comprehensive programming, labs, and expertise in the mobility sector to solve your technical challenges and reduce barriers to innovation. Plus, we’re offering exclusive lab tours at Lassonde, where you can explore: 🔹 Advanced Power Electronics Laboratory for Sustainable Energy Research & Smart Grid, Integration of EV with Power Grids 🔹 Resilient Intelligent Sustainable Energy (RISE) Lab 🔹 Freire-Gormaly Lab 🔹 BEST Lab And don’t miss the chance to test drive a SARIT YorkU and see the exciting new 4-wheeler in action! 🚗💨 🚀 Limited spots available—stop by our booth to register or click here- https://lnkd.in/gTgVfBA4 to sign up for a tour and dive deep into next-gen EV optimization, smart grid technology, and sustainable energy solutions. We can’t wait to connect with you before the conference wraps up! See you soon at our booth! #EVIT2025 #EVInnovationTech #SmartTO #SustainableEnergy #EVOptimization #YorkUniversity #ElectricVehicles #SmartGrid #LabTours #TestDriveSARIT #MOVE #MTEC #LassondeEngineering

🚀 Exciting Developments from the SmartTO Innovation Challenge! We are thrilled to share that our recent Open Ideation phase for the SmartTO Innovation Challenge has generated an impressive pool of ideas! 💡 Thanks to the valuable contributions from industry experts, we’ve received: ✅ 105 brilliant ideas ✅ 55 insightful comments ✅ 68 enthusiastic registrants. These ideas and insights are shaping the future of smart city solutions for #Ontario. The collaborative spirit and creativity displayed during this phase have been truly inspiring. 🙌 What’s next? Stay tuned for our Challenge Statement announcement on February 10th, where we will unveil the next exciting phase of this journey! 🚀 We’re excited to see where these ideas will take us as we work together to create a smarter, more sustainable future. 🌱💡 #SmartTOChallenge25 #SmartTO #InnovationChallenge #SmartCities #Toronto #Collaboration #TechInnovation

🌟 We’re Ready for the EV Innovation & Technology Conference! 🌟 SmartTO is thrilled to be part of Electric Autonomy's EV Innovation & Technology Conference tomorrow! 🚗⚡️ This is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase groundbreaking research and technologies that are shaping the future of electric vehicles and sustainable energy at York University. ✨ Special Highlight ✨ Our Executive Director, Paulina Karwowska-Desaulniers, will be delivering the land acknowledgment during the opening remarks—an important moment that reflects our commitment to inclusivity, community, and sustainability. 🧑🔬 Exclusive Lab Tours (12:30 PM) We’re offering four exclusive lab tours at 12:30 PM tomorrow. These tours will take you through some of the most innovative facilities at the Lassonde School of Engineering - York University: 🔹 TOUR 1: Advanced Power Electronics Laboratory for Sustainable Energy Research & Smart Grid, Integration of EV with Power Grids 🔹 TOUR 2: Resilient Intelligent Sustainable Energy (RISE) Lab 🔹 TOUR 3: Freire-Gormaly Lab 🔹 TOUR 4: BEST Lab We are also offering attendees the opportunity to test Drive a SARIT (and see the new 4 wheeler!) 🚀 Limited spots available—stop by our booth to register (or https://lnkd.in/gTgVfBA4) for a tour and dive deep into next-gen EV optimization, smart grid technology, and sustainable energy solutions. We can't wait to connect with fellow innovators, researchers, and industry leaders at the conference. See you there! 🙌 #EVIT2025 #SmartTO #EVInnovation #SustainableEnergy #ElectricVehicles #SmartGrid #LabTours #YorkUniversity #LassondeLabs #PowerElectronics #RISELab #FreireGormalyLab #BESTLab #EVTech

🏆 Congratulations to Our SmartTO Innovation Challenge Top Contributor Winners!   🎉 🎉 Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen incredible ideas pour in for the SmartTO Innovation Challenge—thank you to everyone who participated! Today, we’re thrilled to announce our top contributors, each winning a ticket to the EV Innovation & Technology Conference 2025 (valued at over $400 each!) for their outstanding engagement and visionary concepts: 1️⃣ Henry Agorua, Founder of RenMobi Inc. "RenMobi is a renewable energy and mobility development company. Our patented Thermal Storage System provides solutions for various types of properties, encompassing residential and commercial real estate, as well as industrial facilities and factories."   2️⃣ Mark Donaldson, Founder & CEO of Quantuity Analytics Inc. "Mark’s company has a PCT patent pending Edge AI wireless smart sensor solution called “Sentinel” used to help the commercial transportation trucking industry maintain regulatory compliance and predictive maintenance of foundation air brake systems, anywhere and everywhere using 5G connectivity. Mark has over 25 years of electronics and information technology industry experience including commercial trucking of 3.5 years as a licensed driver." 🌟 Join Us at the EV Innovation & Technology Conference 2025! Mark your calendars for February 6, 2025, at York University, hosted by Electric Autonomy. This one-day event will bring together the brightest minds in EV supply chain innovation and advanced manufacturing.SmartTO is proud to sponsor this must-attend conference—an incredible chance to learn, network, and shape the future of transportation in Canada!    #SmartTO #InnovationChallenge #EVConference #ElectricMobility #Sustainability #Ontario #FutureOfTransportation #TechInnovation