The Finalists

PriceMedic (First Place) - Palmer Lake, Colorado

Katelynn Salmon, Josh Nakka

In Jan. 2021, a new rule by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was enacted, mandating that every hospital in the United States make their payer-negotiated rates available online. Still, prices remain so hidden that consumer-driven price comparison efforts are nearly impossible. They compiled a database of charges for all of the procedures offered at each of more than 10,000 (and counting) hospitals and outpatient medical facilities across the United States. Using PriceMedic’s search tool, consumers can compare the costs of more than 20,000 procedures, from lab tests to surgery.

WIISININ–reclaiming Turtle Island’s Traditional Foods (Runner-up) - Toronto, Ontario Taijah Abotossaway, Farah Talaat, Alice Walkus, Emily Wang

Wiisinin means “to eat” in Anishinaabemowin. We promote food sovereignty by helping Indigenous families and youth reconnect with traditional foods. Every week, we send out a traditional recipe, a video tutorial filmed by us, and a $50 grocery gift card to each participant. Post-covid, we will host more workshops in person. Wiisinin is BIPOC oriented, accessible, and centred on reconciliation. Miigwech!

“BIPOC Youth Hub” (Runner-up) - Toronto, Ontario Hodan Mohamud

“BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) youth have been heavily impacted by COVID-19. BIPOC youth face the largest financial setbacks from COVID-19. I aim to create a safe and inclusive space where BIPOC youth can discuss the issues we face and work together to positively change and improve our post-COVID world.”

Asian Voices Project - Vancouver, B.C. Natalie Charette and Jonathan Kong

The Asian Voices Project shares the histories and experiences of Asian-Canadian communities through immersive digital storytelling experiences. The Project aims to help claim space for Asian Canadians’ histories within the national narrative, creating opportunities for mutual understanding, respect, and inclusivity.

The first AVP experiences will retell the story of white supremacists’ attacks on Vancouver’s Chinatown and Japantown - and residents’ ensuing strikes that forced the government to help locals rebuild their neighbourhoods.

Double Impact Initiative - Boston, Massachusetts

Connor Schoen

Breaktime’s Double Impact Initiative is a one-year supported transitional employment program that utilizes supported partnerships to empower young adults experiencing homelessness. Our program is uniquely designed to support access to high-quality job opportunities while providing them with the skills, financial knowledge, and support necessary for them to break the cycle of homelessness.

Post-COVID Challenge finalists share feedback on one another’s final pitches

High Tech Mobile-Modular Isolation Rooms - Boston, Massachusetts

Muram Bacare

The standard of care for contagious diseases like COVID-19 is negative pressure isolation rooms because they keep contaminated air from spreading. However, hospitals typically have only a few negative pressure isolation rooms. An important lesson learned from this crisis is that space flexibility is essential to enabling optimum resilience and providing readiness for the unexpected. Therefore, I am proposing the design of prefabricated high-tech mobile-modular isolation rooms that are easily converted into a variety of configurations that take on different programmatic functions.

IAI Collaborative - Toronto, Ontario and Boston, Massachusetts

The Initiative on Artificial Intelligence (IAI) seeks to develop the forum infrastructure and facilitate the networking of AI experts. These domain experts apply AI in various disciplines, policymakers, and business leaders. By providing curated, publicly accessible interdisciplinary communications channels, the IAI forum will further serve as a source of credible expert opinion and a repository of high-quality research for journalists and engaged citizens. Policymakers to make informed decisions regarding AI regulation, policies, and evaluation standards.

Immersive Healer - Vancouver, B.C.

Kaiwen Yang

Started as a virtual reality platform to commemorate an erased African Canadian Vancouver neighbourhood (Hogan’s Alley), the Immersive Healer project has become an inviting virtual cultural centre and a digital community. The idea is for BIPOC community members to join, collaborate, hold conferences, exchange ideas, and set up art shows and product demos. Today, the Immersive Healer team is connecting its global partners to become a central hub designed by the youth of Canada to address critical social, economic, technological, and public health challenges as we move forward to the post-COVID world.

Our Little Island: Mental Health Gaming Application - Vancouver, B.C.

Lavanya Virmani, Nanda Kishore Daggupati

Youth mental health challenges have been visibly exacerbated due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to stigma, access to help remains low. Thus, to tackle this urgent problem using a unique lens, we propose a “hypercasual” game that calms users with a soothing environment while engaging them in story-based messages about mental health issues. Also, the game will inspire youth to explore ways to manage everyday challenges and feel socially connected. By utilizing the playful nature of games, we can empower youth to l. b

PillDrop: A Safe Medication Disposal System - Richmond Hill, Ontario

Nashuan Hooda

PillDrop, a medication waste kiosk, redefines how unused, unwanted, or expired medications and other health products are disposed. Our vision is to protect communities from drug diversion and accidental or intentional consumption and overdose and reduce the harmful effects of pharmaceuticals on the environment by providing a safe, anonymous, and accessible solution for consumers. Alongside critical stakeholders in medication safety, policy, and pharmacy, this innovation offers a simple yet not widely available solution to a severe and widespread problem in Canada.