Destination Medical Center, a multi-billion dollar project intended to drive development and investment in Rochester, has announced plans for a startup competition intended to support people with disabilities.
Now in its second year, the Assistive Tech Challenge seeks to support entrepreneurs creating solutions relating to independent living, access to employment, improved public infrastructure, social skill development and support for care providers.
The competition is split into two divisions: the open division for community-based teams and students and the professional division for startups with annual revenue of less than $200,000.
First-place teams in each category will be awarded $5,000. Second-place teams will receive $2,500. All first and second place teams will be eligible to participate in the University of Minnesota's Walleye Tank pitch competition in Minneapolis in May.
"The Assistive Tech Challenge puts a spotlight on the region's innovative spirit," Chris Schad, organizer of the challenge and director of business development at DMC's Discovery Square, said in a statement. "It encourages entrepreneurs to develop their ideas while showcasing solutions for individuals with disabilities."
The winner of last year's open division was Adapt-A-Cart, a startup creating better options for wheelchair users at grocery stores and other retail outlets.
Vitals Aware Services, an app built to prevent situations between vulnerable people and first responders from escalating, received first place in the professional division.
The Minnesota Legislature created DMC in 2013 as an initiative between public and private organizations. Over the course of two decades, DMC plans to bring $6 billion and an additional 20,000 jobs to Rochester. It's an ambitious goal, but not impossible, the Biz Journal reports. In 2018, $250 million in new development flowed into the city.
Applications for this year's Assistive Tech Challenge are open until Feb. 10. The competition will take place in Rochester on April 4.
