About UDC
As we brace for the influx of our aging population, health care providers, professionals, organizations, and institutions globally must develop new and innovative universal strategies, products and services to meet this approaching demand.
We are excited to announce that we’ll be reintroducing the Design For Humanity Challenge this year, under its new name the Universal Design Challenge (UDC).
The UDC is a design Competition open to Post-secondary Undergraduate Students at the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U). Creating real life solutions to real life challenges.
Our Vision is to be a globally known initiative for fruitful and innovative Universal Design practice and implementation; recognized for its contributions to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and the aging population everywhere.
Our Partners
Combining the ingenuity of OCAD U’s design force, University Health Network (UHN) Research and Development powerhouse KITE, and March of Dimes (MOD) Canada’s avant-garde Design-ability we know we had a formula for success.
When we first ran the competition in 2008 it was very well received; we got some creative, well thought out entries from the participants.
We invite you to join us for this exciting pilot round of UDC; where OCAD U students will get the opportunity to take their class projects to the next level. With consultation from leading industry professionals; students will be equipped to bring their concepts into the real world.
Competition
As part of the UDC pilot this year, the selected entries from OCAD U’s Baycrest class collaboration, led by Ranee Lee; students will get the exclusive opportunity to enter in KITE’s Power Play Pitch Competition; under the Innovative Concept Category, with a chance to be awarded up to $5,000 to advance their concept.
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The Innovative Concept award is open to all new, existing, creative and innovative early stage change-making ideas that have the potential to make a transformative impact on all levels of the healthcare system. This is the only award for which innovators do not need to be in business; they just need to prove that they have a viable idea that’s going to make an impact.
The RBC Prizes
1st Place Prize $5,000
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2nd Place Prize $3,000
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People's Choice Award $2,000
In addition to the pre-seed funding the winning team will also receive: Research & Development , Finance, Branding, Marketing and Legal Consult to ensure the winning submission is incubator and accelerator ready.
Important Dates
March - Meet and Greet
TBD - Pre-Submission Workshop
TBD - Submission Deadline
TBD - Finalists announced
TBD - Consult Days
TBD - Consult Days
TBD - Consult Days
TBD - Kite Power Play Pitch Competition
TBD - Exhibition
Finalists
Finalists are expected to attend the live-pitch competition. If a finalist is not able to attend for whatever reason, the pitch competition will proceed with the remaining finalists. Each attending finalist will be given 5 minutes to pitch their concept to a judging panel of industry experts and investors, followed by a short Q&A session. Finalists may use PowerPoint slides and/or videos at the live-pitch competition if they submit them to Natalia Isak at natalia@axs.world
Meet and Greet
Students must attend the Meet and Greet on March time TBD taking place at TRI
Pre-Submission Workshop
To help you craft your best pitch and dive into the right entrepreneurial mindset, Kite Power Play has partnered with the Health Innovation Hub (H2i) to host a workshop to provide creators, entrepreneurs and innovators with the tools and mentorship to move their ideas and start-ups forward. This is a great opportunity to get started on your pitch deck and gather insights into entrepreneurial planning.
Stage 1
Online Application Submission
*Each team is required to apply online and submit a 2 to 3 page business plan.
The business plan should describe the specifics of the innovative concept/company’s operations and make evident to stakeholders, including donors and investors, of the potential for substantial and sustainable growth and market power of the innovative product or service offering.
Business Plan
Your business plan should contain the following:
1. Business Overview
Business overview - products/service offered (e.g. What is the unmet need? Why will people buy your product or service? What is the key benefit – the unique selling point? If the business is in the form of a company or partnership, how long has the entity been in operation and what has been accomplished to date?)
2. Target market
Who is your target customer and what is the size of this customer base in Canada and elsewhere? What are the competing products/services and advantages?
3. Marketing Strategy
Describe actual and/or contemplated marketing strategy and efforts
4. Management team
identify the key members of the team and their relevant experience/training and any additional positions, expertise, experience and training required
5. Funding required
How much money do you need to take the product/service to the next stage? What are your sales and expense expectations? If you win a prize in this competition, how will the funds be used?
* Please note that by submitting the business plan to the Universal Design Challenge Competition, you acknowledge that you have provided us with the necessary rights to evaluate your business product, solution, concept and strategy in connection with your participation in the KITE Power Play event.
Stage 2
Pitch Competition Grand Finale
The pitch competition will take place during ICAIR on the following date and venue:
Date
TBD
Venue
TBD
Judging
A finalist’s pitch will be judged on the following criteria​
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Team’s background and expertise
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Idea/Solution
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Development and business plan
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Market opportunity
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Competitive advantages
At the end of all of the finalists’ pitches, the judges will determine the winners from the Innovative Concept Category.
For questions relating to the usage of PowerPoint or videos to help describe the product, technology or service for the live-pitch competition, please contact Natalia Isak at natalia@axs.world.
**ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY –
Photographs and videos will be taken of attendees at the KITE Power Play competition event for publication on websites, newsletters, brochures, social media platforms and other media of UHN, KITE, Toronto Rehab Institute, UDC and the Toronto Rehab Foundation. As a condition of participating as finalists in the KITE Power Play competition event, all finalists (and their representatives), by their attendance at the event, will be deemed to have given their consent to have photographs and videos taken of them at the event and for publication on the specified websites, newsletters, brochures, social media platforms, and other media.