Innovation Challenge
The Innovation Challenge encourages technological solutions to public sector challenges.
Address Public Sector Challenges & Commercialize Your Tech
Intake Closed
The Innovation Challenge partners with a public entity to select a specific sector issue and host a pitch competition for proposed solutions from Saskatchewan startups. Winners are awarded a $10,000 grant, 16-week residency and full commercialization rights to develop their technologies in collaboration with the public partner.
Program Highlights
- Financing Type: Grant + pilot project
- Eligible Funding: $10,000 / startup
- Goal: Pilot technology to address specific public sector challenge
Eligibility
- Saskatchewan-based startups
- Startup technology applicable to specific public sector challenge
Overview
Compete to win a chance to develop your technology!
The Innovation Challenge harnesses the ideas and expertise of startup technology companies to rapidly solve public sector challenges and create enhanced citizen experiences.
We want the province’s best and brightest to propose innovative solutions for a chance pitch in this friendly competition.
Winner receive a 16-week residency period to develop their solution, a $10,000 grant, as well as the full rights to commercialize the solution and sell into the growing technology market.
There is currently no active Innovation Challenge. Please contact us if you are interested in future challenges.
Innovation Challenge Winners
Prairie Robotics Inc. - Waste Diversion Challenge
- Ministry of Environment
Project
Challenge
Develop an effective reporting mechanism to monitor the generation, diversion and disposal of waste throughout Saskatchewan.
Winning Solution
An innovative tool that leverages artificial intelligence to estimate the weight of waste entering landfills and create automatic waste reports.
What Happened Next
In 2021, the City of Regina re-engaged with Prairie Robotics to implement automated audits and focused educational initiatives. This innovative technology identified households improperly contaminating their recycling bins with non-recyclable materials. As a result, these households received a postcard detailing the significance of proper recycling, accompanied by a photo showcasing their specific collection, with the contaminated items clearly highlighted.
This targeted approach led to a remarkable 70 per cent of households improving their recycling practices, resulting in a significant 42 per cent reduction in contamination levels. Today, Prairie Robotics is busy enhancing recycling processes in over 20 cities across North America.
BeeSecure – Rural Crime Innovation Challenge
- Ministry of Justice
Project
Challenge
Address the personal and property security concerns of rural residents stemming from slow response times and limited police visibility.
Winning Solution
The BeeSecure app which is connected to a compact device and alerts property owners via text and GPS when movement is detected all while operating independently of permanent power or internet connectivity.
What Happened Next
After winning the Innovation Challenge and working with the government and RCMP to improve their pilot, BeeSecure was accepted into Co.Labs to further develop the hardware and software.
Shortly after, BeeSecure went on to create variations for decreasing the theft of agricultural equipment for the Ministry of Highways and a smaller model for bicycles. Today, BeeSecure’s theft-prevention tool is available for purchase at retailers across Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Have questions?
Contact us today to learn how Innovation Saskatchewan and our partners can support you.