COMMUNITECH FAST TRACK CITIES
Call for solutions
Canadian tech companies with innovative solutions are encouraged to propose solutions for the following challenges.
Selected companies for this round will receive coaching and support from industry leaders and have the chance to win up to $25k at the Solutions Showcase pitch event.
Fast Track Cities: Movement of Goods in Cities
Challenge: Last Mile Delivery in Urban Centers
Existing infrastructure struggles to support the growing demand for last mile delivery of small parcels in urban centers leading to congestion, pollution, and inefficiencies. Streets were not built to accommodate current population densities, leading to congestion and economic losses. Interactions with pedestrians, cyclists, and other light mobility users also need to be considered to improve safety.
How can we innovate to create a more efficient, sustainable, and safe urban delivery ecosystem that addresses infrastructure challenges and considers interactions with other street users?
Challenge: Addressing Driver Labour Shortage and Skills Gap
Transforming human resources approaches within the transportation industry is essential to address labor shortages, improve retention rates, and optimize upskilling. The current and future generation of drivers seek work-life balance and desire more flexible working arrangements. Additionally, proper management is key to retaining employees and fostering a positive company culture but isn’t easily deployed with delivery drivers working outside the office.
How can we use technology to address the labor shortage and retention issues in the transportation industry, improving work-life balance, management effectiveness, and the overall driver experience?
Challenge: Enhancing Supply Chain Visibility
Modern supply chains can be highly complex, involving multiple suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers across different regions and countries. Lack of standardization and data silos further complicate the ability to monitor inventory and goods as they move through the supply chain.
How can we leverage technology to achieve greater visibility and transparency in the supply chain, enabling more efficient and responsive operations while addressing the challenges and complexities of modern supply chains?
General Open Call: Applicants with technology that can be applied to Supply Chain
This stream is open to any technology that enhances inventory management, optimizes transportation logistics, improves warehouse operations, or addresses sustainability challenges not aligned with the other challenges.
The general open call is for an application of your solution(s) that does not align with other challenges. Identical applications that have already been submitted to any of the other challenges will not be considered.
Ready to apply?
Applications are submitted through the Upplift Platform and involve a two-step process starting with setting up your profile. Once you’ve set up your profile, you will be able to apply to multiple challenges without re-entering information about your company or solution.
Applications close March 20th.
Watch the following video for step-by-step instructions for completing your application.
When submitting your innovation, please click Add solution and include description and details. No attachments will be reviewed.
FAQ
The program focuses on the challenges identified by municipal and transportation sector partners, in an effort to surface solutions with the end goal of commercialization through piloting and procurement opportunities.
- Working with both tech leaders and industry partners, we explore the landscape to shape the focus of the collaborative.
- Together, we define the most relevant and pressing challenges faced by the transportation industry.
- We issue a call for solutions to the tech community and select qualifying Canadian companies to address the challenges identified.
- Companies selected to pitch will be awarded a free Communitech membership* (for those not currently members) offering access to valuable feedback and connections with partners, coaches and advisors, all facilitated by the Communitech team.
- Companies selected to participate in the program will present their solutions at a hybrid showcase event designed to gain exposure and make connections with the invaluable community and industry leaders in attendance
- We facilitate introductions between founders and partners and provide support in navigating next steps, with the end goal of commercialization of made-in-Canada solutions through piloting and procurement.
*Free memberships will be offered until next renewal date following selection.
Fast Track programs are open to any Canadian tech company with a solution to the proposed challenges.
No. Those selected to pitch will be awarded a free Communitech membership until the next annual renewal date to ensure all selected companies have access to valuable feedback, growth coaching, and connections with partners and advisors before the showcase pitch event.
Challenge cycles from problem statement development to showcase pitch events are approximately 4 months long. Each challenge cycle will have a specific focus area (i.e., movement of goods). The process for companies successfully pursuing pilots with partners will vary in length of time depending on preparedness and needs of industry/municipal partners.
Yes. We strongly encourage you to re-apply should you not be selected for the first cycle.
Challenge statements will be different for each cycle
