A Pakistani start-up bagged third prize on Saturday at a competition held at Stanford University.
The start-up called WonderTree develops interactive reality based games for children with special needs byusingthe Microsoft Kinecttechnology. It focusesonhome based physical therapy, biofeedback and tracking.
Members of the team include renowned psychologists and teachers who understand children with special needs.
WonderTree was among the 1074 initial applicants of the Global Innovation Through Science and Technology (GIST) TECH-I Startupcompetitionat Stanford. The startup was then shortlisted asone of the 15 finalists andeventuallywon the thirdprizeatthecompetition .
GIST is anannualcompetitionthat caters toentrepreneursfrom emergingeconomies ofthe world.
“The entire journey has been an invaluable learning opportunity for us. Winning today validates what my co-founders and I have been working on for the past year and a half and proves that our games can revolutionize thelearningcurriculumfor children with specialneeds around the globe. “ said CEO of WonderTree, Muhammad Waqas.
Co-founder of WonderTree, Muhammad Usman spoke about improving education for special children . “We are taking ideas of improving education for special children a step further and trying to turn imagination into reality with the help of technology”
Another co-founder Ahmed Hassan seconded Usman’s words and also thanked friends and family for their support.
PresidentofPSHA and The Nest I/O, Jehan Ara expressed herimmensepride at WonderTree’sachievements, the startup that was incubated atThe Nest I/O. “To see their passion and hard work recognized at a global event insiliconvalley means so much,” said Jehan Ara.
Thestart-uphas alsopartnered with variousinstitutions, namely, IPP (Institutefor Personal Psychology), DOW University of Health Sciences, SpecialOlympicsPakistanand KVTC (Karachi Vocational and Training Center)
WonderTree haspreviouslyparticipated in the PSHA ICT Awards 2015 andalso represented Pakistan at APICTA 2015. The startup also received the PSHA Social Innovative Fund.
GIST was part of 2016’s GlobalEntrepreneurshipSummit where the likes ofPresident Obama, Mark Zukerberg ofFacebook, Sundar Pichal ofGoogle among many other notablepersonalitieswere invited to talksand panel discussions.