Back to SearchKitchener, Ontario – Three Waterloo Region companies have been selected to pilot their innovative technologies as the winners of the Pitch Kitchener initiative. These local companies have been selected to test their solutions over the course of the summer to demonstrate their capabilities and allow staff to assess their potential for permanent use in City of Kitchener operations.
With $100,000 in funding available, the City of Kitchener solicited proposals for innovative solutions that could be valuable supporting service delivery. In partnership with Communitech’s OVIN-supported Fast Track Cities program, which connects Canadian tech founders with municipal and enterprise partners to address pressing challenges, a call was put out in the fall of 2024 for pitches from technology companies.
“Helping grow and support locally-grown technology companies is a great example of the City’s commitment to fostering economic resilience and prosperity,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Through efforts like Pitch Kitchener and the recently launched Support Local campaign, we are ensuring that our local economy remains strong and future-ready.”
ConeLabs will provide AI-powered drones to inspect bridges and roadways, with the goal of managing and assessing the health of our infrastructure while minimizing downtime and optimizing resources. It avoids the need for scaffolding and rope access when conducting visual inspections.
Real Life Robotics will integrate advanced software, hardware, sensors, and AI-driven machine learning to analyze the Doon Valley Golf Course operations. The insights this provides can support improvements in customer experience, optimizing flow, efficiency and service at the golf course.
TextGenetic’s AI-powered platform aims to improve vehicle fleet management, introducing maintenance predictions through real-time analysis and predictive analytics. This will allow the City of Kitchener to identify potential vehicle issues before they escalate – reducing downtime, extending vehicle lifespans and lowering overall maintenance costs.
"I applaud the City of Kitchener for its dedication to supporting and engaging with the startup ecosystem,” said Carleigh Johnston, Senior Program Manager of Communitech Fast Track Cities. “Collaborations like Communitech Fast Track Cities and Pitch Kitchener push Canadian entrepreneurship forward, strengthening our communities."
The technologies will be piloted over the course of the summer, and if successful, could be adopted by the City for a longer duration, pending approval of budget and resources. More information about the Pitch Kitchener initiative can be found on the Pitch Kitchener web page.
The Pitch Kitchener initiative is one of the ways that the City of Kitchener is advancing its strategic goal of creating an economically-thriving city together, as outlined in its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.
For more information:
Phil Price
Communications and Marketing Associate
City of Kitchener
philip.price@kitchener.ca
Nasreen
Strategic Communications Officer
Office of the Mayor and Council
City of Kitchener
nasreen@kitchener.ca
M: 226-753-6082
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