The Challenge Cup 2015 is a global competition that crosses 16 cities in 11 countries with a goal to seek out the most promising startups to solve the world’s biggest challenges, specifically in education, energy, health and “cities.” A partnership between INcubes and Washington-based 1776 brought the event to Toronto tonight and crowned four startups who will go on to compete against other regional winners in Washington this May for $650,000 in prizes and mentoring.
The winners selected in each category were:
Education: Permission Click, who provides digital permission slips, data and payment collection for K-12 schools that parents can approve anywhere, anytime, on any platform.
Energy: GridCure provides a smart-grid analytics solution with a system that is able to consume utility data from smart meters, combine it with utility external data such as weather or local population demographics, and return utilities insights.
Health: Limestone Labs has designed new medical technology that allow hospitals to rapidly sanitize portable electronics – from smartphones to thermometers – using an ultraviolet sanitizer so that they can be safely used in patient care.
Cities: RainGrid is a lot-level stormwater utility that offers a smarter, cost-effective alternative to conventional stormwater infrastructure that keeps urban stormwater out of the sewer, reduce the risk of floods, and extend the life of existing infrastructure.
“Toronto is home to an impressive community of innovators who are creatively addressing some of our world’s most complex challenges,” said Donna Harris, co-founder of 1776. “We celebrate the transformative ideas presented tonight and are proud to help identify these innovators and connect them to the resources they need to grow, scale and realize their full promise.”