Engineering startup to compete for $30K in LiONS LAIR competition

Fourth-year mechanical and biomedical engineering student Lianna Genovese, left, is the CEO and founder of Imaginable Solutions, appearing on the Innovation Factory's LiONS LAIR competition this week.


ImaginAble Solutions creates assistive devices for people living with ALS, cerebral palsy, arthritis and multiple sclerosis, and those recovering from spinal cord injuries and strokes.

Their device, Guided Hands, enables people living with limited fine motor skills to write, paint and draw as well as type and scroll on a tablet, phone or a computer.

Lianna Genovese, a fourth year Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering student, is the startup’s CEO and founder.

“I hope that by representing McMaster Engineering at LiONS LAIR, I can inspire other student entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams,” says Genovese.


Read more: Guided Hands wins prestigious global innovation award


The LiONS LAIR is a virtual bracket-style pitch tournament airing on CABLE 14 and YouTube. Each finalist will be pitching for a chance to win $30K as they  pitch their design to the judges and the winner is chosen through an audience vote.

The Innovation Factory event will celebrate its 10th anniversary as Hamilton’s leading pitch competition that brings together innovation and entrepreneurship.

Within the next few weeks, Genovese will be collaborating with Vancouver Coastal Health and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, the largest rehab centre in BC, to run the company’s first committed pilot, introducing Guided Hands to patients.

Register here to vote for LiONS LAIR. You can tune in to LiONS LAIR on Sept. 22 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. as Genovese pitches her design on CABLE 14 and through a YouTube link, which is provided when you register. You can also vote on Sept. 23 for the People’s Choice Award from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

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