Second Installment of “Pitch to the Chief” Won by Baltimore, Ontario’s Amy Arthur
(Cobourg, ON) December 7, 2018 – Held on November 28th, the second installment of the Pitch to the Chief competition has announced Amy Arthur from Baltimore, Ontario as its winner for her innovative product, Claxon – a hands-free personal safety device.
The Pitch to the Chief competition, held in the Innovation Commons of Venture13, offers technology entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their innovative products and services to the Chief of Police for Cobourg, Ontario in partnership with Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC).
Chief of Police Kai Liu, Cobourg Police Services Board Chair Dean Pepper, and Inspector Jeff Sheils, along with NCFDC Board Member Pam Russell formed the panel of judges. The presentation format was a 10-minute pitch including slides and demonstrations, followed by an interactive question and answer period. The entrepreneur pitches ranged from IoT sensors to robotics, from connected and autonomous vehicle infrastructure to wearables.
“We are pleased to bring back this event for another session. Like the first, these startups were very impressive and came forward with innovative ideas and approaches relevant to policing in the twenty-first century,” said Police Chief Kai Liu. “The Cobourg Police Service is committed to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, and is proud to bring and continue this event here at Venture13.”
Baltimore, Ontario resident and former Ontario Provincial Police summer intern Amy Arthur emerged as the winner. A McMaster University B.Sc. graduate (where she first rose to prominence as the inventor of a novel light therapy device), Arthur is currently finishing her Forensic Psychology degree at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). For the Pitch to the Chief event Arthur unveiled her latest product, Claxon: a hands-free personal safety device.
“I am a problem solver. When I see a problem that I know I can solve, I have to face it head on,” said Arthur, in discussing the source of her inspiration. “In the market of personal safety devices there is not one all-inclusive product that works for everyone and in all situations. I have taken on the task of solving this issue.” She adds, “I feel truly honoured to have had the opportunity to present my product idea and prototype to the Chief and his panel. To gain their feedback and commitment for future collaboration will be instrumental to Claxon’s success.”
Arthur’s prototype, which she demonstrated during her pitch, was developed in-house at the Venture13 MakerLab with fellow VentureZone member Alex Papanicolaou of Campbellford, Ontario, and with design input from Northumberland Makers. The Venture13 MakerLab is a collaborative prototyping, engineering and microfactory space created to support startups and makers.
The next Pitch to the Chief competition is set for the first half of 2019.