Pascal Siakam, former Toronto Raptors NBA champion and current Indiana Pacers player, co-hosted the Siakam EdTech Engine accelerator demo day in Toronto. The event awarded $50,000 in grants to three promising Canadian edtech startups aiming to transform learning experiences through technology.
- Classwise won the top prize for its AI-powered assessment platform
- The accelerator spans 12 weeks, connecting startups with education leaders
- Siakam’s foundation supports education initiatives in Toronto and Indiana
What happened
The Siakam EdTech Engine, co-hosted by Pascal Siakam’s PS43 Foundation and Toronto Metropolitan University's DMZ, held its second annual demo day in Toronto. During the event, three startups were awarded a total of $50,000 in grants based on their pitches showcasing innovative educational technology solutions. The winning companies included Classwise, which offers an AI-driven assessment platform, Training Ground.ai, a tailored learning solution, and CoLab Education, a professional networking tool for educators.
Founded in February 2025, the accelerator supports Canadian startups focused on education technology. Participating startups receive mentorship, opportunities to pilot their products with school boards and educators, and a platform to connect with industry leaders. This event underscored the ongoing collaboration between entrepreneurial innovators and education communities to improve learning outcomes with cutting-edge digital tools.
Why it matters
Pascal Siakam’s involvement brings high-profile attention and credibility to Canada’s edtech startup ecosystem. Leveraging his platform as a former NBA champion and community advocate, Siakam aims to foster innovation that directly benefits students and educators, particularly youth in Toronto and beyond. The accelerator’s focus on applied technology solutions highlights the demand for scalable, impactful tools in education.
The grant awards and mentorship model help startups overcome challenges inherent to the edtech space, such as integration with schools and proving real-world effectiveness. By facilitating these connections and investments, the program supports early-stage companies that might otherwise struggle to break into the crowded and complex education market. Siakam’s foundation also extends support outside of Canada, reflecting a broader commitment to educational advancement.
What to watch next
Observers should track the growth of the Siakam EdTech Engine as it aims to expand its reach and funding pool, potentially increasing the number and size of awards offered to startups. Pascal Siakam has expressed a desire to grow the program to further magnify the impact on communities and youth education experiences. Scaling the accelerator could attract additional partnerships within the education and technology sectors.
The progress of the winning startups—Classwise, Training Ground.ai, and CoLab Education—will also be important to follow. Their ability to pilot and scale their solutions in real educational environments will serve as a barometer for the accelerator’s effectiveness. Additionally, Siakam’s continuing philanthropic initiatives, including recent digital education investments in Indiana schools, signal ongoing support that bridges his Canadian roots with his current American team.