For Immediate Release
November 27, 2025
Guelph, Ontario – Connect Tech, industry-leading Edge AI solutions experts, is proud to announce its new five-year investment with KidsAbility Foundation. With over twenty years supporting the organization, Connect Tech has committed $250,000, over five years, to help grow the KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre, a hub for innovation and research in pediatric rehabilitation. This commitment will help create more opportunities for children in Waterloo Region and Wellington County to learn, explore, and imagine what’s possible.
Representatives from KidsAbility Foundation, Lisa Talbot, Executive Director and Taryn Power, Development Officer, joined Connect Tech’s monthly Town Hall to celebrate the contribution. Lisa explained that KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre is “entirely funded through the generosity of donors.” Breakthrough technologies and evidence-based practices are piloted to advance care for thousands of local children and youth.
“Our work has always been driven by innovation, but the KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre reminds us why that innovation matters,” said Patrick Dietrich, President at Connect Tech. “Supporting KidsAbility means helping create opportunities for children to discover their potential, and we’re proud to contribute to a mission that strengthens the future of our community.”
Connect Tech has directly sponsored events and opportunities for KidsAbility for 22 years. The company recently sponsored the Venus Room at KidsAbility’s Kitchener location and has been involved in the annual KidsAbility Superhero Challenge.
“One of the things that inspires me most about KidsAbility is their commitment to what’s next,” said David Worthen, CEO and Co-Founder of Connect Tech. “Not just caring for kids today, but advancing research and improving outcomes for future generations. The KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre is a perfect example of the long-term research that KidsAbility is committed to. It’s innovative; it’s evidence-based; and it aligns closely with the values we have towards our families.”
Through the Rocket Discovery Centre, KidsAbility has created a launchpad for transformative ideas. With the vision for an innovative and inclusive network of care, local families benefit from new approaches and treatment plans developed by uniting clinicians, researchers, families, and partners to tackle the most pressing challenges in pediatric rehabilitation. The five-year commitment of Connect Tech provides a foundation for these ideas, transforming pediatric care and accelerating solutions through innovation and research where the sky is the limit.
“Thank you Connect Tech,” said Lisa Talbot, Executive Director at KidsAbility. “For over twenty years, you have trusted KidsAbility to provide life-changing support for the children and youth we serve. Together we will reinvent unparalleled care and make sure there’s a future of possibilities for kids and their families.”
KidsAbility supports over 17,000 children and youth annually. The KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre’s collaborations with McMaster University and the University of Waterloo catalyze new research streams, improve access to services, and integrate advanced sciences and digital tools into therapy. Leadership has been recognized with nominations for multiple regional and national research awards for both excellence and real-world impact. Connect Tech is honoured to support the initiative with this recent commitment.
Connect Tech has grown over the past forty years into a global leader in embedded computing, powering advanced AI, robotics, and autonomous systems worldwide. From its Guelph facility, the team designs and builds sophisticated edge hardware for industries ranging from robotics and smart cities to aerospace and mining. Connect Tech is also the only NVIDIA Elite Hardware Partner in North America, recognized for fifteen years of expertise with the NVIDIA Jetson platform.
With global demand in AI rising, Connect Tech is expanding its operations, creating new opportunities for local skilled workers in Guelph and the surrounding region. The company is actively recruiting for roles in engineering, manufacturing, and business operations to support its next phase of growth.
Connect Tech welcomes its local community to learn more about KidsAbility and the opportunities available to support their life-changing work. Connect Tech is proud to stand alongside organizations that enrich the region, and remain committed to helping build a stronger, more inclusive community for local children.
About Connect Tech
Connect Tech is a global leader in embedded computing and Edge AI solutions for a wide range of industries, including industrial automation, public sector, robotics, transportation, and more. With a strong focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Connect Tech offers a diverse portfolio of products designed to meet the demands of the most challenging embedded applications. Follow Connect Tech on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About KidsAbility
Founded by Rotary in 1957, KidsAbility is a leader in pediatric rehabilitation services, serving over 17,000 children and youth from birth to age 21 across Waterloo Region and Wellington County each year. KidsAbility is dedicated to helping children and youth with disabilities reach their full potential by fostering communication, social, physical, and behavioral development. As demand for services continues to grow, KidsAbility remains committed to expanding its impact in the community. For more information, visit www.kidsability.ca.
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