MaRS partners with SCALE AI to launch new cohort of artificial intelligence ventures solving supply chain challenges

The 12 Canadian AI companies in the latest cohort are working on solutions in healthcare, shipping and food security.

TORONTO, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 – MaRS today announced phase three of its partnership with SCALE AI, the federal artificial intelligence (AI) supercluster, to support the growth and commercialization of 12 promising Canadian companies with supply chain solutions. These up-and-coming ventures will join the Supply AI program at the Toronto-based innovation hub to refine their products, create jobs, grow their brand awareness and attract investment.

“During the six-month program, startups will receive customized coaching from MaRS experts,” said Aoife Geary, the Supply AI cohort lead at MaRS. “The program will accelerate venture development and ultimately strengthen Canadian supply chains.”

With funding from the federal and Quebec governments, SCALE AI supports startups to take AI out of the lab and into the real world. It reshapes startup business models, enhances decision making and elevates workforce performance in order for companies to reach their full potential. The Supply AI program and access to the MaRS ecosystem will strengthen Canada’s position as a leader in smart supply chains.

This cohort of 12 AI-based ventures spans the areas of food security, zero-emission vehicles and healthcare. The group includes a startup that has developed a free directory of ERs, urgent care centres and walk-in clinics so users looking for same-day care can view current waiting times and pre-register. Another helps clients in the building and real estate industries discover projects at the earliest stages so they can pitch their services and products before the competition does, and a third company takes images and videos to assist players in the agriculture industry assess their yields and bring their products to market more efficiently.

The members of this cohort of Supply AI ventures are:

MaRS will work with the cohort of ventures to assist in growing their revenue, accessing capital, attracting the best talent, as well as tapping into new markets and enabling operations.

“Leaders of these Canadian AI startups will get the opportunity to grow their businesses while strengthening Canada’s supply chain,” said Hakim Merah, Senior Manager, Acceleration and AI Ecosystem at SCALE AI. “AI is a valuable tool in supply chain management because it can help reduce costs and increase efficiencies, giving people more time to think strategically.”

This is the third iteration of the Supply AI program between MaRS and SCALE AI. Success stories from previous cohorts include autonomous navigation technology company Cyberworks Robotics, vehicle maintenance company Preteckt Canada and mining asset management company Symboticware.

About MaRS

MaRS is North America’s largest urban innovation hub. A registered non-profit, MaRS supports high-growth startups and scale-ups tackling key issues in health, cleantech, fintech and other sectors. In addition, MaRS convenes all members of the tech ecosystem to drive breakthrough discoveries, grow the economy and make an impact by solving real problems for real people — in Canada and around the world.

About SCALE AI

The Canadian supercluster specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), based in Montréal, SCALE AI acts as an investment and innovation hub that accelerates the rapid adoption and integration of AI and contributes to the development of a world-class Québec and Canadian AI ecosystem. Funded by the federal and Québec governments, SCALE AI has nearly 120 industry partners, research institutes and other players in the AI field. SCALE AI develops programs aimed at supporting investment projects of companies that implement real-world AI applications, the emergence of future Canadian flagships in the sector, as well as the development of a skilled workforce.

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