The V13 Policetech Accelerator’s Pitch to the Chief™ competition is set to return to Cobourg on September 25, 2024, bringing together tech startups and law enforcement leaders.
Hosted in partnership with the Cobourg Police Service (CPS) and the Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC), this event offers early-stage companies a unique platform to present innovative technologies designed to enhance police efficiency.
Cobourg police chief Paul VandeGraaf tells us this year they’ll have a larger panel of judges from across the province.
With police services across Canada facing increased documentation and accountability demands, the competition invites participants to develop solutions that streamline officer workload, allowing more focus on community safety.
VandeGraaf tells us startups will present tech innovations aimed at improving police efficiency, particularly in managing documentation and paperwork.
Six finalists, selected by a panel of Ontario deputy chiefs, will pitch their technologies to a panel of Ontario police chiefs. The winning team will be awarded a $30,000 Grand Prize Package, including $5,000 cash, a $25,000 investment from NCFDC, and in-kind opportunities.
“The V13 Policetech Accelerator, a joint initiative between Cobourg Police Service and NCFDC, seeks innovative, sustainable solutions to the issues facing Cobourg Police Service and police services across Ontario,” said Chief Paul VandeGraaf of the Cobourg Police Service. “With increased documentation and workload associated with heightened police accountability measures, the Pitch to the Chief™ event allows start-ups to propose solutions that can streamline these processes, enabling officers to focus more on their core duties of community safety and wellness.”
Business Development Officer at NCFDC Joe Miller tells us more about one of last years competitors.
Miller tells us, making connections between these innovators and existing tech companies leads to the innovations that transform policing practices and enhance public safety.
“Policing is rapidly evolving, and technology plays a crucial role in shaping its future,” said Miller. “Pitch to the Chief™ is a vital platform for discovering breakthrough innovations.”
Miller says, for the startups that will compete, Pitch to the Chief represents an amazing opportunity.
The competition is sponsored by Tactical Distributors Canada, reflecting the community’s commitment to supporting both law enforcement and entrepreneurship.
To compete in Pitch to the Chief™, register your start-up today by clicking here.
Pitch to the Chief™ is a free, live event open to the public. To be a part of the audience and cheer on the entrepreneurs, click here.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
