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Published June 4, 2025

This article was written in April 2025 and published as part of our news section launch on June 4, 2025.

SmartTO, led by 91��ɫ in partnership with , celebrated the successful completion of its first year of operation with SmartTO Demo Day on March 26, 2025 at Index Exchange’s offices at The Well in Toronto.  

In partnership with YSpace, SmartTO Demo Day spotlighted startups developing breakthrough solutions in transportation, accessibility, and urban infrastructure. As a (RTDS) within the (OVIN), this inaugural event brought together over 140 leaders from government, academia, venture capital, industry, and the innovation community.  

Startups received more than $100K in total prizes with the top cash prize sponsored by .  

Driving Innovation Through Two Initiatives 

The eleven startup finalists showcased at the event emerged from two of SmartTO’s flagship initiatives designed to accelerate mobility innovation. The first initiative, the Smart Mobility Tech Accelerator (SMTA) program, delivered in collaboration with YSpace, supported innovative mobility companies through business advisory services, technical mentorship, and programming to help scale their transportation technologies. 

“This marked a milestone for YSpace as our first dedicated effort supporting mobility-focused ventures,” said David Kwok, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at YSpace. “Partnering with SmartTO, and working together as part of 91��ɫ, allowed us to apply our startup expertise to a new sector, one that’s critical to building more connected and sustainable cities.” 

The second initiative was the SmartTO Innovation Challenge Competition where Ontario-based startups were invited to propose bold, scalable solutions to mobility challenges in sustainable energy, intelligent systems, and last-mile delivery. The challenge statement was developed through an innovative open ideation process via a platform provided by its partner, , making SmartTO the first RTDS to apply this collaborative methodology to an innovation challenge. This approach helped ensure the challenge addressed real community needs and attracted solutions that support SmartTO’s vision for connected, inclusive, and sustainable mobility.  

“This was a defining moment for SmartTO,” said Paulina Karwowska-Desaulniers, Executive Director of SmartTO. “We set out to build inclusive, applied innovation pathways that address real mobility challenges, and these startups not only delivered, they set a new standard for what’s possible.” 

Judging the Future 

The judging panel brought together deep industry and technical expertise from across Ontario’s innovation ecosystem. John George, Sector Manager for Automotive and Mobility at the , brought significant experience in powertrain engineering and electric vehicle development, having previously led programs at McLaren Engineering. Helen Platis, a strategy consultant and sustainability expert, has worked across sectors from global energy to startups, helping organizations navigate market expansion, regulatory strategy, and tech commercialization. Mayuran Yogarajah, the founding CTO of Index Exchange and current Head of , contributed decades of experience building and scaling high-performing engineering teams and investing in early-stage ventures solving real-world problems through technology. 

Celebrating the Winners 

Six standout ventures were awarded at the event for their ingenuity, execution, and market potential. 

Smart Mobility Tech Accelerator Winners 

• First Place: - Hands-free EV charging for multi-unit buildings.  
  • Awarded $15,000 in value, including $5,000 cash from , $5,000 YSpace bundle, and $5,000 in business services. 
• Second Place: - AI to optimize airport ground operations.  
  • Awarded $20,000 in value, including $5,000 in services and $15,000 towards a co-op student placement. 
• Third Place: - Robotics for municipal services.  
  • Awarded $10,000 in services from and . 

SmartTO Innovation Challenge Competition Winners 

• First Place: - AI-driven surveying and terrain analysis.  
  • Awarded $15,000 in value, including $5,000 cash from Megalab Group Inc., $5,000 YSpace bundle, and $5,000 in business services. 
• Second Place: - Wireless EV charging using AI.  
  • Awarded $20,000 toward a SmartTO Applied Technical Project. 
• Third Place: - Recognized for Fenyx, a platform that simplifies traffic signal controller setup, reduces municipal costs, and improves operational efficiency.  
  • Awarded $10,000 in services from Bhole IP Law and FYELABS. 

All Innovation Challenge Competition Finalists: Awarded a Commercialization Readiness Assessment by Innovation 360 valued at $15,000 in total. 

As a designated RTDS within the OVIN network, SmartTO greatly benefits from sustained support that fosters collaboration between startups, municipalities, and researchers. This partnership has been central to advancing both the SmartTO Innovation Challenge Competition and the Smart Mobility Tech Accelerator, enabling ventures to address complex transportation challenges with measurable outcomes.  

 “SmartTO Demo Day shows what’s possible when government, post-secondary institutions, and startups come together to drive innovation,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “This kind of collaboration helps Ontario lead not just in mobility technology, but in how we bring innovation to market.” 

Showcasing Startup Excellence 

In addition to the winners, five other ventures took the stage with compelling, future-focused solutions. These included , which is advancing AI-powered sign language interpretation to improve transit accessibility; , a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform improving vehicle utilization; , offering e-scooter sharing for last-mile travel; Inc., focused on predictive transportation data; and , developing autonomous robotics for logistics and maintenance services. Each startup brought bold thinking and technical depth to Toronto’s mobility landscape. 

The evening was hosted by Rob Kenedi, a seasoned founder, advisor, and podcast host known for his work across Canada’s innovation space. With more than two decades of experience growing startups and supporting founder-led ventures, Rob brought an energetic and authentic tone to the event that set the stage for a celebration of real-world innovation and entrepreneurial progress. 

Powered by Partnership 

SmartTO Demo Day was made possible thanks to a group of generous sponsors and prize partners who helped bring the event to life: 

• Lead Sponsor:  

• Prize Partners: YSpace, , , , 91��ɫ  

• Venue Sponsor: , who generously hosted the event at Index Exchange at The Well 

Momentum Beyond the Stage 

From the pitch stage to the networking floor, the momentum was tangible and extended well beyond the room. SmartTO Demo Day wasn’t just about showcasing startups. It was about catalyzing real change. These ventures are not simply envisioning the future of urban mobility, they are building it collaboratively, sustainably, and right here in Toronto. 

Learn more about SmartTO Partners: 

YSpace 

YSpace is 91��ɫ’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans across scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like ELLA for women-led businesses and in partnership with Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses.  

Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) 

The (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies. 

Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies. 

91��ɫ

91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91��ɫ's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Centennial College 

 , founded in 1966, is Ontario’s first public college. Anchored primarily in the eastern part of the Greater Toronto Area, the college boasts five campuses and two satellite locations. Renowned for its outstanding teaching, creative curriculum, and robust network of partnerships, Centennial annually welcomes over 40,000 full-time and part-time students from over 130 countries. These students pursue their education in over 400 diploma, certificate, and degree programs across various fields, including business, media, arts, community and consumer services, engineering technology, health care, and transportation. 

Megalab Group Inc. 

is a Canadian leader in materials testing and analysis, providing advanced laboratory services for industries including automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and technical excellence, Megalab supports the development and validation of next-generation technologies across Canada’s industrial landscape. 

FYELABS

bridges the gap between startups and deep-tech product development by providing rapid, cost-effective engineering services across hardware, software, and AI domains. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, FYELABS specializes in turning early-stage ideas into market-ready solutions through an innovative "engineering-as-a-service" model. 

Bhole IP Law 

is a Toronto-based intellectual property law firm focused on helping startups and innovators protect and commercialize their ideas. With expertise in patents, trademarks, and IP strategy, the firm works closely with clients in emerging tech sectors to build strong legal foundations for growth and innovation. 

IX Labs 

is the investment arm of Index Exchange, a global advertising supply-side platform. We invest in early-stage, technology-first startups led by mission-focused leaders who are revolutionizing legacy industries. We're interested in founders driven by a passion to challenge the status quo, leveraging cutting-edge innovations to transform traditional sectors. We seek visionaries who combine startup agility with the ambition to disrupt established markets, creating lasting impact and unlocking new opportunities in industries that are ripe for digital transformation.