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Let us delve into the remarkable collaboration between the MaRS Discovery District and the Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), a partnership that is redefining the landscape of innovation. If you are interested in understanding how the future of technology is being shaped, prepare for an enlightening exploration. We will examine how bold ideas and advanced technologies are revolutionizing lives and setting new benchmarks for progress.
Meet MaRS Discovery District
Located in the heart of Toronto, MaRS Discovery District, often simply referred to as MaRS, is not about chocolate bars or outer space adventures, but something more exciting: transforming early-stage technologies into market-ready solutions. With a focus on health and life sciences, cleantech and transformative tech, MaRS is North America’s largest urban innovation hub!
Imagine a place where startups, venture capitalists, government and corporate entities converge to foster technological advancements. That’s MaRS.
With a network supporting over 1,200 startups across Canada, MaRS provides the essential resources needed to scale groundbreaking ideas from university labs to global markets.
The birth of a partnership—MaRS and Toyota Mobility Foundation
The collaboration between MaRS and the TMF began over a year ago, driven by a shared vision to advance the field of active mobility. TMF, renowned for its contributions to innovation, sought a partner capable of fostering a thriving community around emerging technologies. Their search led them to MaRS, a natural fit with its established ecosystem of support and commercialization.
TMF had previously engaged in various activities to encourage innovation in active mobility. However, they realized that awarding prizes wasn’t enough. The technologies needed a supportive community to truly thrive. MaRS, with its holistic approach to innovation, emerged as the ideal partner to bring this vision to life.
Overcoming barriers—The Mobility Unlimited Hub
Together, MaRS and TMF embarked on a research phase to understand the barriers preventing innovation in active mobility. They discovered several key challenges, including the need for a more cohesive community approach to support emerging technologies. This insight led to the creation of the Mobility Unlimited Hub.
Launched in March 2024, the Mobility Unlimited Hub is designed to provide comprehensive support to companies focused on assistive, accessible and rehabilitation technologies. The aim is to help individuals with disabilities and seniors lead more independent lives. By bringing together diverse community members, the hub creates a nurturing environment for these technologies to grow and scale.
The inaugural cohort—A new era of innovation
The inaugural cohort of the Mobility Unlimited Hub was selected through a national call for applications. Over 50 high-quality startups applied, showcasing innovative solutions in the active mobility space. After a rigorous selection process, seven companies were chosen to join the Hub.
“We looked for innovations in three main areas: assistive, accessible and rehabilitation technology,” Ian McCarter, MaRS’ Director, Corporate Innovation shared. “All with the end goal of helping persons with disabilities, seniors or anyone seeking a more independent lifestyle.”
These startups are not merely ideas on paper. They are established companies ready to tackle the commercialization challenges of their technologies. The Hub provides them with a year-long program of tailored support, including manufacturing scale-up, refining pitches to investors, direct customer and venture capital connections and media training.
Nothing About Us Without Us—Inclusivity at its core
The core ethos of the Mobility Unlimited Hub is “nothing about us without us.” This principle ensures that individuals with lived experiences of disabilities are involved in every stage of the process. By incorporating their insights, the Hub ensures that selected technologies address real-world problems faced by people with disabilities.
This inclusive approach is evident in the design of the program, from the initial research phase to the support services offered. It’s about creating solutions that truly make a difference in people’s lives.
The journey ahead—Looking to the future
With the inaugural cohort now in full swing, the future looks bright for the Mobility Unlimited Hub. The program kicked off just weeks ago, starting with a needs assessment to identify how best to support each company. Whether it’s product development, market strategy, or capital acquisition, the Hub is dedicated to accelerating their progress.
The success of these startups will validate the community-based model pioneered by MaRS and the TMF. It’s about helping individual companies but also creating a sustainable ecosystem that fosters continuous innovation in active mobility.
MaRS Discovery District—A legacy of impact
MaRS is a catalyst for positive change. From healthcare advancements to climate solutions, they support ventures that aim to make a tangible impact on society. The Mobility Unlimited Hub is a prime example of this mission in action.
The collaboration with the TMF is just one of many initiatives MaRS is involved in. For instance, their work with CIBC focused on inclusive design and overcoming employment barriers for individuals with disabilities. They’re also engaged in projects to enhance accessibility standards in the built environment, ensuring that physical spaces are inclusive for everyone.
The power of collaboration
What makes MaRS truly special is its ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to address complex challenges. The Mobility Unlimited Hub exemplifies this collaborative spirit, with 13 partners from various sectors contributing their expertise. This collective effort amplifies the impact of each initiative, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
A call to innovators—Join the journey
As the Mobility Unlimited Hub continues to evolve, MaRS and TMF are eager to collaborate with more organizations and individuals passionate about making a difference. Whether you’re a startup, a corporate entity, or a community group, there’s a place for you along this exciting journey.
Towards a better future
The MaRS Discovery District and Toyota Mobility Foundation partnership is a movement towards a better future. By harnessing the power of innovation and community, they’re creating solutions that improve lives and drive progress, making the world a better place, one breakthrough at a time.