Innovation Challenge

InnovationSask is challenging tech start-ups, researchers, entrepreneurs and students to answer the question: “How can technology be used as a tool to obtain permission from rural property owners before accessing their land?”

Background: Changes to The Trespass to Property Act require members of the public to receive permission from rural property owners before accessing their land. The focus of the legislation is to minimize and prevent misunderstandings over land use and to protect the interests of rural landowners.  However, the lack of publicly available land ownership information makes it difficult for individuals to request permission before accessing property. The Innovation Challenge aims to find a technological solution that enables the public and landowners to communicate with one another.

The minimum requirements of the prototype are:

1. enable communication between property owners and those seeking access to land; and,

2. demonstrate that permission has been granted.

The Challenge will be led by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) with support from Innovation Saskatchewan. 

How can I participate?

If you are based in Saskatchewan and have an idea for solving this challenge using existing or new technology, you are invited to submit an expression of interest. Submissions will be evaluated by an internal committee who will select a shortlist of candidates. These shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal and to pitch their solution in front of a group of key stakeholders. The committee will select a challenge winner who will begin working with SARM and government partners in late spring 2019.

What does the winner receive? 

The winner will be awarded a 16-week residency period to develop and launch their solution in the Summer of 2019. You will benefit through:

  • A $10,000 grant;
  • The full rights to commercialize the solution and sell into the growing technology market;
  • The potential for customer validation and the ability to reference SARM and the Government of Saskatchewan as a customer;
  • The potential to contract with the Province to support, license, or maintain the solution created; and,
  • A greater understanding of working with and selling to independent associations and government entities.

Information sessions:

Regina Information Session

Thursday, March 28, 2019

2:00pm-3:00pm

SARM Board Room, 2301 Windsor Park Rd, Regina, SK

Saskatoon Information Session

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

2:00pm-3:00pm

Span Room, Atrium Building, 111 Research Dr., Saskatoon, SK

Webinar

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

2:00pm-3:00pm

Zoom - please register here.

 

The deadline to submit expressions of interest is Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

See the full story and apply at InnovationSask