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TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers welcomes you to the

2024 TOM Global Innovation Challenge!

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BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER!

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February 12 - May 16, 2024

The TOM Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) is a competition to design, engineer, and create affordable technology that will help a person with a disability live a more independent, fulfilling life. All GIC solutions are developed to address a real challenge faced by a person with a disability or their family.

 

Your mission is to create an open-source, affordable solution that will best solve their challenge. 
 

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Congratulations to the 2023 Global Innovation Challenge Winners

 Grand Prize Winners

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Bounce - Independent play for non-mobile children

A frame which allows older non-mobile children to play independently and take part in an enjoyable, highly rewarding, physical activity.

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Tools for Getting Dressed and Undressed

A set of pipe frames and 3D-printed joints that allows a user with CP to dress and undress independently and with ease.

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Independent Feeding Device - Manual syringe pump for feeding tubes

A manual syringe pump with a specialized handle that allows Jameson to independently activate a feeding tube to feed himself.

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ORGAN - Strap for recreational and competitive Handcycle

A custom fit strap connecting the palm of the athlete to the handlebar pedals of a handcycle.

Grand Prize Winner - Sports

 Special Recognition Award

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Digitus - Typing Prosthesis

A bracelet with an adaptable connection that can securely and efficiently allow the user to type and use his mouse in the computer.

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Project ILU - Adaptiver stylus

A customized modular learning system that focuses on improving his non-verbal communication through an iPad.

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HappyWalk - Adaptive Walker

Low-cost, adjustable pediatric walker made of wood and 3D-printed plastic parts.

SPECIAL FOR 2023, THE TOM GLOBAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE WILL INCLUDE DEDICATED PRIZES FOR SPORTS-RELATED PROJECTS.  

*Scroll down for more details

Bank Hapoalim Community Award:

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Jona - Wheelchair Seat Belt for Riding Toddlers

A belt that allows a wheelchair user to strap a toddler on their lap.

Category Winners

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Best Inclusive Design
Handle It- Specialty Kitchenware with Adaptive grip

A set of serving dishes with customized, comfortable, and easy to hold handles.

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Best Accessible Design
WMDT - Washing Machine Dial Turner

A socket on the end of a handle. The socket at the end of a handle that fits over the dial of a washing machine and can be easily turned with the help of the handle.

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Best Documentation Page Turner - assistive reading device

A book holder equipped with a mechanism that can lift and turn a page. It is activated with eye detection using a USB webcam connected to a laptop.

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Your GIC Project

Many people with disabilities and their families face challenges in almost every aspect of daily lives in areas such as personal care, mobility, the household, art, music, sports, and more. Your GIC project must solve one (or more) of these challenges.

 

You will need to assemble your team, find a person with a disability, family member or caregiver (we call them “Need Knowers”), investigate their challenge, and develop a solution that best answers their needs.

 

In addition, you must document your entire development process and submit the Concept, Working Model, and Prototype of your solution using TOM’s Project Editor. The final prototypes will be evaluated and scored by the judges.

Assemble your team

Find a challenge

Create your solution

Submit for judging

*About Sports-related Projects

For this year’s TOM Global Innovation Challenge we decided to give special prizes for solutions related to sports and athletic activity. Teams who develop sports-related solutions can choose to focus on two main areas:

Recreational

Solutions that will help make 

recreational and leisure 

sports more accessible

for people with disabilities

Paralympic

Assistive devices that will help a 

specific athlete or team qualify for- 

and compete in- the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Dec

22

Feb

12

Mar

11

Apr

8

May

1

May

15

Milestone #1:
Concept

Milestone #2:
Working Model

Live Launch Event

Registration opens

Submit final project: Prototype

Winners Announced!  

The GIC timeline follows the TOM stages of product development. Documenting and submitting the Concept and Working Model according to the timeline will give you the best chance of creating a quality solution and will set you up for success.
Your final project (Prototype and pitch video) must be submitted by May 1 to be eligible for a prize.  

Timeline

Prizes

We will be giving $3,000 for each Grand Prize winner out of a total $18,000

Teams will also be competing for prizes in these categories:

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Best

inclusive design

Best

Sports-related Solutions

Best

documentation

Best

accessible design

*Additional prizes may be announced at a later time

Past Winners

See these winning solutions from past TOM Global Innovation Challenges

2022 Abraham Accords Open Innovation Challenge

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FLipPad - Assistive Electronic Touchpad

A low-cost, electronic touchpad which allows a person with limited hand mobility to control electronic devices.

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Geek - Prosthesis for Digital Screens

A light, digital-office prosthesis that allows arm amputees to use touch screens, trackpads, and smartphones.

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Mech-Canopy -

Wheelchair Rain Project

An adaptive 3D-printed clamping mechanism that securely holds an umbrella and attaches to a wheelchair

2021 TOM Global Innovation Challenge

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Drawing Dreams - Arm Support Device

A low-cost support mechanism that allows children with Cerebral palsy to eat, draw, and play independently

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One-2-Go - Portable Adaptive Toilet Seat

A supportive portable seat which allows people with Cerebral Palsy to use the bathroom independently anywhere.

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Talker Mount - Talker Folding Mechanism

An electronic mechanism that allows a talker to be folded under a wheelchair table for safer mobility  

Mentors

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Dr. Assaf Krebs

Director of Methodology Development,

TOM Global

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Geffen Dotan

TOM R&D Team,
TOM Global

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Einat Carmeli

Physical therapist.
Director of 
Milbat-Sheba

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Dorit Neeman

Physiotherapist - rehabilitation and sports

Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital

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Dana Yichye Shwachman 

Product Design Lead,
TOM Global

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Hannah Landau

TOM R&D Team,

TOM Global

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Dr. Osnat Fliess Douer

Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation Israel Paralympic Committee

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Aviad Kelner

R&D Team Lead,
TOM Global

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Alexander Geht

Industrial Designer, Additive-Manufacturing.
Manager  TOM Pittsburgh

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Yuval Levitan

Director of Physical Therapy, Motor Disorders Unit

Sheba Medical Center

Judges

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Tamara Morgan 

Community Partnerships Coordinator, Adaptive Design Association

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Pascale Bercovitch

Paralympics athlete, TV personality and international motivational speaker and corporate adviser

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Jaume Sanchez 

Engineer, CEO of 3dthinks and Founder of TOM Barcelona. Winner, 2021 TOM Global Innovation Challenge

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Dana Gur-Gelbard

Industrial Designer, Customer Experience & Project Manager at Matrix Experience. Winner, 2021 & 2022 TOM Global Innovation Challenges

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Michael Hermon

Maker in Residence at Monday.com, 
Serial entrepreneur 

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Bryce Johnson
Principal Inclusive Designer,
Microsoft Inc.

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Laura Marciano

CEO, Eli Innovation and Co-Founder,
TOM France

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Nisreen Shahin

Entrepreneur, community leader,
TOM Palestine 

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Noam Platt

Healthcare architect and founder of Make Good INC. Winner, 2021 TOM Global Innovation Challenge

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Prof. Katherine Raymond
Associate chair and senior professor of practice in the Biomedical Engineering Department at Tulane University

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Shaikha Dwa Al Khalifa

PhD Candidate, Portsmouth University. Former lecturer, Royal University of Women. Former captain of the Bahrain Women’s National Football team  

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Lamia Housni

Innovation & Creativity Enthusiast I Entrepreneurship Catalyst

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Robert Zacharias

Assistant Teaching Professor, IDeATe Center, manager of the IDeATe Physical Computing Lab, Carnegie Mellon University

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David Dakovich

Maker and Product Development Expert. TOM Serbia Country Manager

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Sawsan Masarwa

Designer, Educator, Social Entrepreneur in Israeli-Arab communities

About TOM

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) is a global venture inspired by a bold vision to help provide anyone anywhere with access to affordable solutions for their neglected needs. TOM inspires and supports a global network of communities of volunteer makers, product designers, engineers, and care professionals who engage in designing, creating, and disseminating these solutions.

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Global Innovation Challenge Partners

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