How Pascal Siakam's PS43 Foundation and DMZ are accelerating educational innovation

Educational institutions across North America struggle to access innovative solutions that can positively impact students – including culturally relevant tools and support for mental health. Many promising EdTech startups lack the specialized guidance and educational partnerships needed to develop products that work in real classroom environments.

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PS43 Foundation and DMZ identified this disconnect between innovation potential and educational impact. They recognized that breakthrough solutions require more than just funding  – they need deep educational expertise, direct access to educators, and support systems tailored specifically for the unique challenges of the education sector.

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The Siakam EdTech Engine provides key resources and guidance for early-stage EdTech companies. Participants work directly with top entrepreneurs, industry leaders and education professionals who understand the complexities of the K-12 market. The program's unique strength lies in its real-world validation approach: startups get their products into actual school boards to test and refine their solutions with genuine user feedback.

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Startups also gain access to DMZ and PS43's extensive network of leaders and educators, creating lasting partnerships that extend far beyond the accelerator program – which is invaluable for companies seeking to scale their educational impact.

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Demo Day: Celebrating impactful educational solutions

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The program culminates in an exclusive Demo Day event at Google's Toronto headquarters, where participating startups present their refined solutions to a distinguished panel. NBA champion Pascal Siakam will be one of the judges, demonstrating his commitment to educational excellence.

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Three winning startups receive grants totaling $50,000 – providing crucial funding to accelerate their growth and expand their educational impact. This competition will attract investors, educators and industry leaders, creating major opportunities for partnerships and future funding.

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The partnership between PS43 Foundation and DMZ represents a new model for educational innovation support. By combining Pascal Siakam's passion for community-based learning tools with DMZ's proven startup expertise, the EdTech Engine is creating solutions that directly address classroom challenges while building sustainable businesses.

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“PS43 was founded on the belief that education is not only essential but also invaluable. By teaming up with DMZ – a powerhouse in scaling startups – we’re equipping EdTech entrepreneurs with the right tool to create real change.”

—Pascal Siakam, Founder of PS43 Foundation and NBA Champion