TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers invites you to the
2023 TOM Global Innovation Challenge!
BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER!
February 15 - April 2, 2023
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.
SPECIAL FOR 2023, THE TOM GLOBAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE WILL INCLUDE DEDICATED PRIZES FOR SPORTS-RELATED PROJECTS.
*Scroll down for more details
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
15
Feb
22
Mar
13
Apr
3
May
2
Working Model
Submission Deadline
Prototype Submission
Deadline
Concept Submission
Deadline
Registration Opens
/ Making Begins!
Launch Event / Last Day to Register
Winners Announced!
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:
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
FLipPad - Assistive Electronic Touchpad
A low-cost, electronic touchpad which allows a person with limited hand mobility to control electronic devices.
Geek - Prosthesis for Digital Screens
A light, digital-office prosthesis that allows arm amputees to use touch screens, trackpads, and smartphones.
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
Drawing Dreams - Arm Support Device
A low-cost support mechanism that allows children with Cerebral palsy to eat, draw, and play independently
One-2-Go - Portable Adaptive Toilet Seat
A supportive portable seat which allows people with Cerebral Palsy to use the bathroom independently anywhere.
Talker Mount - Talker Folding Mechanism
An electronic mechanism that allows a talker to be folded under a wheelchair table for safer mobility
Mentors
Dr. Assaf Krebs
Director of Methodology Development,
TOM Global
Geffen Dotan
TOM R&D Team,
TOM Global
Dana Yichye Shwachman
Product Design Lead,
TOM Global
Hannah Landau
TOM R&D Team
TOM Global
Aviad Kelner
R&D Team Lead,
TOM Global
Alexander Geht
Industrial Designer, Additive-Manufacturing and Customization Consultant, Founder of Testa-Seat
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.
