April 28, 2022

V13 Policetech Accelerator and Sootsoap Collaborate in Product Testing

The V13 Policetech Accelerator has launched a Pilot Stream initiative with Sootsoap for the testing and validation of detoxifying and deodorising product innovations. The local company launched with a mission to address the contamination challenges facing firefighters and now has an expanded line of lab-designed and formulated all-natural products suitable for multiple applications (more at sootsoap.ca).

In February, 2022, Sootsoap’s President and Co-Founder K. Dee Howard pitched successfully to the Cobourg Police Service (CPS) Innovation Platoon. The Innovation Platoon is a special group of frontline police personnel passionate about improving community safety and operational excellence. They play an integral role in product testing and validation as part of the Accelerator initiative.

The V13 Policetech Accelerator team, led by NCFDC’s Joe Miller, helped the company to refine the project objectives, performance metrics and most efficient way to test three new products in a policing environment. With a primary focus on officer workplace health and wellness, the project will test performance in a real-world setting.

“Innovation is at the core of what we do,” said Howard, owner of Sootsoap and a resident of Port Hope, Ontario. “Our company was born out of necessity and tremendous passion for the safety of our first responder community–something we share with the V13 Policetech Accelerator. The support and feedback from the team at NCFDC and the Cobourg Police Service’s Innovation Platoon has been invaluable as we work to continue to develop unique, effective and safe solutions for those working to make our communities safer.”

The V13 Policetech Accelerator will share additional news and information following the completion of the current collaboration with Sootsoap.

Additional Media Links

Port Hope’s Sootsoap Supply Co. shampoo wins first place at 2021 Clean Beauty Awards (Peterborough Examiner)
Product of the Day: Detoxifying and Deodorizing Body Soap (Firehouse)
Tales of Triumph: Sootsoap Supply Co Ltd. (Canada Post via YouTube)
Dee Howard Talks Soap and Firefighters (Can’t Sell This Podcast)
Northumberland Businesses Pivoted to Address PPE Shortages (Northumberland News)

Quotes

“Our officers work in all types of environments, some that contain toxic and dangerous chemicals. We seek to maintain a high degree of awareness when it comes to promoting health and safety standards. We believe in the power of collaboration and the opportunity to partner with companies and services to advance innovations in policing. Sootsoap, through the V13 Policetech Accelerator, provided an opportunity for our Innovation Platoon to test and validate their new product line. This 100% biodegradable product provides an innovative tool to our members. We are thankful for these types of initiatives to advance innovation in policing and promote officer health and wellness.”

Paul VandeGraaf, Chief of Police - Cobourg Police Service

“Our collaboration with the Cobourg Police Service through the V13 Policetech Accelerator is a strategic priority for our organisation because it works to advance entrepreneurial development and community safety simultaneously. When we bring together the worlds of policing and entrepreneurship we can rapidly create new momentum and creative solutions.”

Wendy Curtis, Executive Director - NCFDC