Student entrepreneurs pitch startup ideas at the Velocity Fund Finals

Velocity is a comprehensive entrepreneurship program at Waterloo, and Velocity Garage is the largest free startup incubator in the world.

Ten companies will compete for four prizes of $25,000. Judges will present one winner with an additional $10,000 for the top hardware pitch. Another 10 early-stage startups will compete for one of three awards of $5,000.

Location: Great Hall, Student Life Centre, University of Waterloo

Date: Thursday, December 1, 2016

Time: The $5K competition starts at 11 a.m. The $25K competition starts at 1 p.m., with the event wrapping up at about 3 p.m.

Companies competing for the Fall 2016 Velocity Fund $25K are:

Avro Life Science is developing fun and colourful medicated stickers to deliver seasonal allergy medication to children without the hassle of pills and syrups.
Babylon VR allows condo developers to showcase pre-construction condominium units to customers using immersive virtual reality technology, while also making it easier to create VR content.
Curiato is developing Ceylon Systems, a combined smart mattress and patient management interface that leverages cloud, IoT and artificial intelligence to prevent the occurrence of ulcers.
HelpWear is developing the HeartWatch, allowing for 24/7 at home heart monitoring with an embedded emergency contact system to better prevent and treat heart related illness.
HITCH is developing a smart wireless mesh router that enables communities to build their own Internet platforms, accelerating sustainable broadband in emerging and developing markets.
Mirage VR is bringing your imagination into reality with a full-body tracking virtual reality experience.
Orbit Co. is a digital advertising platform that partners with major taxi and ride sharing companies and uses machine learning to determine the best parameters (e.g. time and location) to show advertisements.
Penta Medical is building wearables that integrate physiotherapy into your everyday life.
SpeakIoT is an Internet of Things (IoT) network operator looking to provide IoT and smart city connectivity, services, and solutions by solving issues related to power, reach, and cost of ownership.
WildType uses protein design technology to redesign and optimize commercial proteins at the molecular level, enhancing clinical effectiveness and making them simpler to produce and store.

Finalists pitching for the Fall 2016 Velocity Fund $5K are:

Chasr Athletics aims to use sports analytics to enhance training for athletes and coaches, by developing a system of “smart” athletic cones that can track and time athletes throughout their drills.
DropLab is automating lab work using the power of digital microfluidics.
Eggplantr is making it easier to establish and maintain food gardens by developing a digital tool to generate and print permaculture planting layout plans on biodegradable weed barriers.
Elementary is bringing bridge inspection out of the stone age.
Happen is a virtual reality simulation glove for stroke therapy, that help patients recover faster using a collection of sensors and actuators that helps patients train their hand movements.
Intelline is working to modernize power distribution infrastructure with an emphasis on integration between the current electrical grid, distributed power generation, and electric vehicles.
Kinetic Imaging is working to reduce the cost of high-speed cameras, which typically range in price from $1,000 to upwards of $100,000, by using a novel technique for capturing high speed video.
Sienci Labs is making rapid prototyping faster and more accessible for innovators with its Sienci Mill One, a desktop CNC machine that provides an affordable option for turning designs into real objects.
VivaSpire develops superior portable oxygen delivery systems for patients in need of oxygen therapy, increasing oxygen output, while also providing additional user comfort, and a more compact profile.
ZetoTec is developing a multi-platform application that allows tradespeople to operate their company or crew at maximum efficiency, by managing company resources and financial data in real-time.