CNE to hold $25,000 pitch competition focused on VR, AR and lifestyle innovation

The CNE has recently be known for taking food to another level, such as Tim Horton’s Cotton Candy Timbits, Cronuts, Deep Fried Cheesecake, and Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese. This year, however, in its 138th season, the Canadian National Exhibition is flexing its innovation muscle by announcing the “Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition.”

The Ex has been privy to showcasing some emerging tech, specifically Edison’s phonograph in 1888, apparently a wireless telephone in the 1890s, radio in 1922, and Virtual Reality in 1992.

This year the Ex will be holding a three-day pitch competition in several innovative categories:

• Agri-tech & Food Tech (Friday, August 19 at 12:30 pm)
  Advancements in the agriculture field including everything from farm to table
• Biotech (Friday, August 19 at 3 pm)
  Advancements in the biological and medical fields with an emphasis on health and innovations that can benefit our aging society
• Lifestyle Innovation (Saturday, August 20 at 2:30 pm)
  A broad overview of any and all innovation that make a mark on everyday life, from automated cars and wearable technology and everything in between
• Social Innovation (Saturday, August 20 at 3 pm)
  Explores innovation in education, philanthropy, and culture
• Virtual/Augmented Reality (Sunday, August 21 at 12:30 pm)
  Features innovations that utilize virtual or augmented reality

The actual competition takes place in the CNE Innovation Garage on August 19th to 21st with $25,000 in prizes is up for grabs. The CNE states the competition is open to 25 young investors who will have the opportunity to use the winnings to “accelerate their career dreams.”

This year also houses the “Innovation Playground” at the Ex, which allows visitors to get up-close and experience the latest products including wearable technology, 3D printers and more.

[source] CNE [/source]