Praxis SCI Climate Futures - Praxis Spinal Cord Institute

SCI Climate Futures

A pioneering initiative at the intersection of health, equity, and climate justice to identify sustainable and accessible cooling technologies that safeguard the well-being of individuals who are vulnerable to extreme heat.

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| Praxis SCI Climate Futures

Program Description

In 2023, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute launched SCI Climate Futures in response to the ongoing BC heatwave crises.

The first phase of SCI Climate Futures was a rapid response program for British Columbians brought by BC Hydro. The program provided free cooling devices to individuals with disabilities, such as an SCI and multiple sclerosis that impair the body’s thermoregulatory systems, making them vulnerable to the negative and possibly fatal effects of extreme heat.

The second phase of SCI Climate Futures aims to identify and accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies that provide sustainable and accessible cooling solutions for the built environment. For this second phase, we are excited to announce the launch of “AccessCool: Innovations for a Climate-Ready Future” – a pitch competition where the most promising innovators will present to a panel of industry experts, clinicians, and end-users. The pitch competition would have two streams:

Innovative Portable Technologies: Innovative cooling technologies that are portable and can provide rapid cooling anywhere.
Innovative Novel Technologies for the Built Environment: Infrastructure Solutions or non-portable products for the built environment.

Download the program one-pager

Key Dates

Application open: October 12, 2023
Deadline to apply: December 12, 2023
Applicant Interviews: December 2023 – January 2024
Announcement of Demo Day Finalists: January 19, 2024
Date of Demo Day Event (Hybrid): February 23, 2024 (The winners will be announced during the event)

Why Should you Apply?

SCI Climate Futures aims to help companies accelerate the market adoption of novel cooling technologies and make them accessible for those who are the most vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Companies developing novel sustainable cooling solutions are invited to apply for a spot in the program’s Demo Day taking place as a hybrid event in Vancouver, BC, on February 23^rd, 2024. The companies selected to present will showcase their technology to industry leaders, investors and end-users.

The finalists would compete during the Demo Day for up to three awards of $20,000 CAD and up to six (6) months of mentorship from Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, industry KOLs, and end-users with lived experience of SCI (April 2024 – September 2024).

What We Are Looking for?

Companies with products and/or technologies focused on sustainable cooling solutions. Companies interested in exploring new market segments that target people with SCI and other disabilities. Entrepreneurs committed to making a positive impact through innovation. Join us in our mission to address the cooling needs of individuals with SCI and other disabilities to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Want to apply and looking to get more information? Please reach out to us and we will be happy to connect.

Application Process

All applications will need to be submitted via the Simple Survey link. Should you have any questions regarding our application, please email sci_climatefutures@praxisinstitute.org.

Application review and selection process:

Your application will be reviewed by an expert panel, which includes: individuals with lived SCI experience, the Praxis research team, seasoned health-tech and climate-tech commercialization experts, and building engineers.

If your application is selected as part of our shortlist—we will schedule a one-hour interview with our panel of experts.

Following the interview, you will be informed by January 19, 2024, whether you have been selected as one of the finalists to present at the Demo Day event.

Application Disclosure

If you apply to the “AccessibleCool: Innovations for a Climate-Ready Future” pitch competition, we will collect personal information about you, information relating to your venture, and why you are applying for the program. We use this information for the purposes of processing and responding to your application, including assessing the suitability of your venture for acceptance into the program. If you provide us with personal information about any other individual (such as your co-founder(s) or partner(s)), you confirm that you have obtained the consent of such individual(s) prior to providing any personal information to us.

If you have any questions about our privacy policy, the personal information we hold on you, or you would like to exercise one of your privacy rights, please do not hesitate to contact us at araina@praxisinstitute.org.

For general questions pertaining to the “AccessibleCool: Innovations for a Climate-Ready Future” pitch competition, please email sci_climatefutures@praxisinstitute.org.

Why Climate Futures?

The effects of Climate change are everywhere, impacting all aspects of our lives. However, for individuals with SCI and other disabilities, such as MS, that impair the body’s central thermoregulatory centres, it poses a unique challenge as they have difficulty self-regulating their body temperature, increasing their vulnerability as they tend to overheat. The consequences of this health vulnerability extend beyond discomfort, as overheating can become life-threatening.

In light of the increasing frequency of heatwaves worldwide due to climate change, it is imperative for companies and governments to prioritize the development and adoption of sustainable cooling technologies. Not only for safeguarding the life and well-being of individuals but also for protecting the global environment from the harmful effects of pollution caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from conventional HFC-based air conditioners and other existing solutions.

Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, in partnership with Technology for Living, is working towards empowering individuals with SCI and other disabilities to face heat-related effects of climate change more effectively while being mindful of their potential environmental impact. SCI Climate Futures is an initiative at the intersection of health, equity, and climate justice to identify cooling technologies that safeguard the well-being of individuals with disabilities during heat waves while minimizing environmental impact.

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