Manitoba woman wins award for founding start-up to track Bluetooth devices
One Manitoba woman is being recognized for her work founding a tech start-up that tracks and locates Bluetooth devices.
On Monday, North Forge Technology Exchange, a not-for-profit business incubator accelerator, awarded Ivy Châtelain, a 26-year-old Métis woman, with the Indigenous Woman Founder Business Award.
Châtelain is the founder of Foundit, an app that uses Bluetooth technology to track and locate Bluetooth devices, including hearing aids and key fobs.
When an item is left behind, the app audibly alerts the users. It also sends push notifications to the users’ devices when they are out of the customized Bluetooth range.
In an interview on Monday, Châtelain said the app specifically targets the Bluetooth hearing aid community.
Châtelain, who has autism, said as a woman with disability it is important for her “to advocate for people with disabilities by making them more mainstream rather than an after thought to really end the stigma and the gap.
“We wanted to make it more inclusive,” she said.
The Indigenous Woman Founder Business Award is a new award that is sponsored by Community Futures Manitoba’s Indigenous Business Development Service.
With this award, Châtelain will be able to participate in the North Forge Founders Program’s Ascent Stage incubator. She will also be able to access the non-profit’s fabrication lab.
“She’s going to be working with our entrepreneurs in residence, our growth coaches, mentors, clinics, so that we can help her grow this idea and she can do it in a safe place where her idea will be validated and that we can help her grow properly,” said Joelle Foster, CEO of North Forge.
Châtelain said winning the award is a surreal experience, which she feels humbled by.
“I just love what I do and it’s a passion for me,” she said.
Foundit is set to be launched in September 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.