The 2023 Innovation Showcase is Canberra Innovation Network’s biggest event of the year! It offers a unique opportunity to recognise the amazing individuals in the innovation and startup ecosystem, highlighting their successes and inspiring even bigger goals for the new year!

At this year’s Innovation Showcase, Canberra startups will go head-to-head in a high-intensity pitching competition judged by YOU.

So, who will be part of this epic lineup?

Introducing Maria Jerez from Accessilife.

What impact do you see your innovation having when shaping the future?

For far too long, disability-related products and services have been hidden away in a very dark corner, while there are literally millions of people desperately looking for them. Accessilife helps shape the future by shining a bright light on these products and services and giving them a special and central place where they can be found. This helps make life easier for those people living with a disability or other accessibility needs, and also gives them greater choice and control.

What has been the high of the year for you?

If I had to chose just one, it would be participating in the Mill House Ventures GRIST social enterprise accelerator. It has given me the tools to further develop and accelerate every aspect of my business. Perhaps most importantly, it’s helped me refine Accessilife’s social purpose which is at the absolute core of what we do.

If you could disinvent something, what would it be?

For obvious and idealistic reasons, I would disinvent discrimination in all its forms. The world would be a much better place if we truly embraced diversity and treated our fellow humans equally and fairly.

What is one innovation that has shaped your future?

As my son lives with a long list of disabilities, I’m truly grateful for so many innovations that help support his everyday living. If I had to select just one, it would be his MIC-KEY gastric-jejunal feeding tube which we use for all his daily nutrition and medication needs.

Want to learn more about Maria and Accessilife? Watch her pitch at the Innovation Showcase on Wednesday, 6 December 2023. Register now!