NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam, in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ, has awarded $50,000 in grants to promising educational technology startups. The funding marks the culmination of the second Siakam EdTech Engine Accelerator program, which aims to foster innovative solutions for K–12 education. The demo day event showcased seven finalists developing tools to prepare youth for an increasingly AI-driven future.
Showcasing Educational Innovation
The accelerator's demo day, held at Deloitte in downtown Toronto, saw seven high-potential startups present their solutions to a panel of judges and an audience of industry leaders. Following the pitches, three companies were selected as grant recipients for their outstanding contributions to educational technology. The event highlighted a growing focus on integrating advanced tools into modern learning environments.
Classwise, an AI-powered assessment platform, secured the top prize of $30,000 for its technology that helps educators grade more efficiently and provide targeted feedback. The company's founder, Derah Onuorah, also earned a significant opportunity to pilot the solution with several partners, including the YMCA of Greater Toronto. This real-world application will be crucial for refining the platform and demonstrating its impact on student learning.
Rounding out the winners were Training Ground.ai and CoLab Education, which received $15,000 and $5,000 respectively. Training Ground.ai is an AI-driven platform that offers personalized learning experiences to build literacy and career-ready skills. CoLab Education provides a professional collaboration network designed to help educators share resources and drive innovation across the K–12 system.
A Partnership for Future-Ready Skills
The 12-week accelerator is a joint effort between Siakam’s PS43 Foundation and the DMZ, a leading tech incubator. Launched in February 2025, the program connects founders with essential mentorship, industry connections, and opportunities for real-world testing in schools. This year's cohort expanded its mission to include startups focused on equipping young people with critical AI skills for the future workforce.
Pascal Siakam emphasized his foundation's belief in providing young people with access to life-changing opportunities. He expressed excitement about the collective commitment of the founders to helping students succeed and looks forward to their continued impact. His ongoing involvement underscores his dedication to supporting the community where his NBA career began.
Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ, highlighted the vital role startups play in helping the education sector adapt to technological shifts. He noted that agile companies can test new ideas and work directly with educators to solve real classroom challenges. The partnership with PS43 aims to provide the necessary support for these ventures to build the future of learning.
Founder Perspectives and Program Impact
Derah Onuorah of Classwise praised the program for its supportive founder community, stating that the camaraderie was a significant motivator. She explained that learning from more experienced entrepreneurs about funding and customer acquisition was invaluable for an early-stage company. Seeing others tackle similar challenges in the notoriously difficult EdTech space provided encouragement to persevere.
Although Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2024, his philanthropic efforts in his former city remain strong. The Siakam EdTech Engine demonstrates his sustained commitment to Toronto's educational landscape. His foundation's work also extends beyond Canada, with recent initiatives providing digital education platforms to schools in Indiana.
The successful conclusion of the second Siakam EdTech Engine accelerator reaffirms a powerful commitment to advancing education through technology. By empowering innovative startups, Pascal Siakam and the DMZ are not only investing in new companies but also in the students and educators they serve. This initiative stands as a testament to the positive impact that strategic partnerships between sports, philanthropy, and technology can create.