Innovators of outerwear, software, food, farming, sustainability, utilities and more will vie for prizes at Discovery 2017.

The event is Ontario Centres of Excellence's (OCE's) annual Social Enterprise Pitch Competition set for May 15-16 in Toronto.

Eight promising Ontario-based social enterprise ventures will compete for $25,000 in awards at the event, which is included within the framework of the OCE-sponsored Social Enterprise Zone and situated in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Exhibitors are from both for-profit and nonprofit ventures demonstrating a scalable business model. Finalists will be selected on the basis of potential impact on technology, education, and health and wellness.

Finalists include 3D4MD, whose mission is to deliver sustainable 3D printing and other solutions to relieve poverty; EMAGIN, which focused on AI-enhanced water utilities; Green Story Inc., a visual platform supporting sustainable consumption; and The Growcer, which enables rural locales to grow their own food hydroponically.

Additionally, Growing North confronts food insecurity, utilizing greenhouse technology and job creation. Link2Feed also strives for poverty reduction via electronic metrics. Ulula, a software and analytics firm, aims for more transparency in supply chains, and Wully Outerwear produces Toronto-made winter jackets with sustainably sourced, dual-purpose fabric that protects wearers from the elements and respects wildlife.

Each of the eight finalists will be allotted six minutes to pitch their project to a panel of investors, social innovation leaders and OCE stakeholders, followed by a brief question-and-answer session. The winner will receive a prize package valued at $25,000 supported by area business entities.