MaRS and Toyota Mobility Foundation announce first cohort of Mobility Unlimited Hub to advance personal mobility solutions in Canada

MaRS Discovery District (Mars), and Toyota Mobility Foundation, have announced the seven Canadian startups selected to participate in the Mobility Unlimited Hub inaugural cohort in Toronto. These ventures are poised to revolutionize personal mobility and bring innovative solutions to market.

After receiving numerous applications from across the country, MaRS and Toyota Mobility Foundation, along with their advisory committee, have chosen seven promising startups, all of which have at least one member from their management team identifying with underserved groups (persons with disability; BIPOC; female, non-binary, gender neutral; 2SLGBTQ+ community). This underscores the commitment to inclusive innovation and representation in the mobility sector.

Alison Nankivell, CEO, MaRS: "It's inspiring to see such strong interest from startups eager to tackle pressing mobility challenges showcasing the Canadian spirit of innovation and determination to create impactful solutions. We are thrilled to help  the Mobility Unlimited Hub cohort accelerate their innovations and bring transformative mobility solutions to market through our partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation." 

According to a 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and older – 8.0 million people – had one or more disabilities that limited their daily activities. Additionally, 30% of people with disabilities in Canada report unmet needs for assistive devices, highlighting the critical role of initiatives like the Mobility Unlimited Hub.

William Chernicoff, Head of Research & Innovation, Toyota Mobility Foundation: "For the Toyota Mobility Foundation, we prioritize people over technology. This is why we emphasize "active mobility" which is more than getting a person from A to B. It is helping a person develop, retain, or regain the autonomy of movement that allows them to be independent and live a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling life. By supporting the further development and growth of active mobility technologies, we aim to help bring people-centered solutions to those who need them most, while also positioning this market as one worth investing in."

The launch of the Mobility Unlimited Hub in Toronto is just the beginning. The Toyota Mobility Foundation envisions establishing a network of Hubs around the world, each dedicated to addressing local mobility challenges while contributing to a global movement towards inclusive mobility solutions.

The Mobility Unlimited Hub will work to foster innovation by offering a path to successful commercialization, serving as a bridge from early-stage success to the mass market, providing a range of resources including marketing and public relations support, funding opportunities, and avenues for collaboration. The selected startups are: AWL-Electricity, Axtion Independence Mobility, Braze Mobility, Cheelcare, Deaf AI, Seleste Innovations and Trexo Robotics.

The Mobility Unlimited Hub is launched with the support of several community members, including Access to Success, ClusterBridge, George Brown College, Global Startups, Linamar iHub, KITE UHN, Sheridan College, Sixty Degree Capital, Toronto Global, Ontario Home Health, University of Toronto, and Woven Capital, all united under the mantra, "Nothing about us without us". This community-driven approach is fundamental to the Hub's mission, ensuring that solutions are developed with direct input from those they aim to serve.

www.marsdd.com
www.toyotamobilityfoundation.org

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