Tuckamore Tech, which is developing augmented reality technology for firefighters, placed first at Newfoundland and Labrador startup hub Genesis’ Evolution Pitch Showcase this week.
Founded by mechanical engineering student Tyler Yard, Tuckamore aims to let firefighters view a thermal camera feed via a heads-up display, creating a hands-free version of a type of device already used by firefighters to see through smoke and track a fire’s spread.
“This allows firefighters to perform their tasks without the distraction, bulk, or risks associated with a handheld device,” the company explains.
In addition to the first place Top Pitch award, Yard also took home the Top Student award.
Chosen by Genesis out of its broader Evolution accelerator cohort, the six companies in the Evolution Pitch Showcase delivered four-minute presentations, followed by two-minute question and answer sessions.
Genesis bills Evolution as a “pre-incubator” course meant to prepare young companies for longer programs, such as its own three-year Enterprise incubator. Evolution promises to help entrepreneurs clarify their businesses’ value propositions, find product-market fit and find mentors.
Meanwhile, Diane Howlett, the founder of NL Marine Organics, won the Belonging Award for a founder from an underrepresented group. She was not one of the six companies chosen as finalists for the Pitch Showcase, but that did not preclude her from winning the Belonging Award.
NL Marine Organics is commercializing a product called Liquid Fish, which is a fertilizer made from waste fish from aquaculture operations. Howlett is a serial entrepreneur specializing in marine-derived bioactives.
Here’s a look at the other finalist companies:
Nurul Ibrahim
AtlantiqAI plans to sell virtual AI “employees” for small businesses that need to fill staffing gaps, but prefer not to hire a full-time employee.
FixDen is an online platform for tradespeople and customers to find each other.
Thomas and Nathaniel Roberts
Hadamard is an AI assistant for legal research.
Eamonn Casey and James Lanning
Keen sells next-gen payroll management and accounting software.
Matt Creese
Weevva is an app for landlords and tenants to manage leasing agreements and share documents.
