AccessAble, The Forge client, has won Second Place in the World Challenge Challenge (WCC) 2022 student competition at McMaster University taking home $1,000 toward developing their venture. The innovative Hamilton-based startup is developing a streamlined platform for workplace accommodations that empowers greater accessibility for people with disabilities. AccessAble is tackling four United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (also known as The Global Goals): Good Health and Well-Being, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, and Reduced Inequalities.
McMaster University Office of International Affairs (OIA) headed McMaster’s participation in the global competition aimed at undergraduate and graduate students with unique ideas to help solve important global issues. Applicants were asked to submit a short video presentation on a solution to address a specific global issue as identified in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
AccessAble has also represented McMaster University in the U21 RISE Showcase and Awards also addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. RISE (Real Impact on Society and Environment) is an international competition that showcases student-led projects and achievements in sustainability and social innovation and accelerates the scale and impact of student-led projects by connecting participating students with a network of experts in academia and industry.
“We look forward to developing a solution to address the barriers that people with disabilities face and we are thankful for the outpouring support that we have received so far from McMaster University,” said Areeb Khawaja, co-founder of AccessAble. “We are excited to be taking part in The Forge’s Startup Survivor program to continue growing our venture.”
AccessAble will continue growing their business idea within The Forge Startup Survivor program, a summer program and pitch competition giving out up to $75K in cash prizes for novel and scalable startups led by McMaster University students and recent alumni.
The WCC Global Final will be taking place June 6-9, 2022, at Western University.
Watch AccessAble’s award-winning pitch in the World Challenge Challenge and U21 Rise Showcase Awards: