When he was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and bilateral Avascular Necrosis in 2013, Mechanical Designer Tanner Fandrey didn’t let it stop him from living his life. Instead he dove into sledge hockey and sit-skiing, finding great success; even playing with the 2014/2015 Canadian National Sledge Hockey team. In 2023, Tanner decided to take the next step and combine his background in Mechanical Design with his passion for sport, and Grey Space Adaptives was born, right here in the Kootenays. With in-depth personal knowledge of what worked and what needed improvement in the world of adaptive sport equipment, Tanner was uniquely suited to creating the next generation of custom-fitted equipment to vastly improve performance, weight of the equipment and comfort for athletes in these sports.
Having designed a new uniquely customized hockey sledge “bucket” – the seat athletes sit in on their sledge – Tanner was ready to create his first prototype, but where to start? Enter the Venture Acceleration Program (VAP), the flagship program of KAST, in partnership with Innovate BC.
Tanner reached out and got in touch with Sam Farrell, KAST East Kootenay Director. After a brief discussion, it was clear that Tanner had the makings of something special and he was dedicated to building a successful business and revolutionizing the adaptive sports world. Tanner was then paired with an experienced KAST Executive in Residence (EiR), Steve Fisher, who worked with him to set goals, milestones and move his business forward. Through the KAST VAP, Tanner also gained access to a panel of other experienced KAST EiRs, Market Validation Training and a wealth of local resources for entrepreneurs like him, such as the : Selkirk Technology Access Centre (STAC) and the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
With the Venture Acceleration Program as a catalyst, Tanner was able to create his first prototype, and successfully enter the market with a roadmap for success and begin scaling up.
“KAST has given us the opportunity to grow. We went from $0 to $112,000 this year. I believe the KAST VAP is a great program and I highly recommend it. The people involved are highly knowledgeable and genuinely interested in what each company is doing. They are always looking for ways to assist”
– Tanner Fandrey
Having gone to market and found great success, Grey Space Adaptives continues to grow and the others across Canada and beyond are starting to take notice as well – Tanner is now producing sleds for the Canadian Women’s National Sledge Hockey team and has also entered discussions with three other national teams for similar collaborations.
The company has seen massive growth in revenue over the last 12 months and looks ahead to a bright future with a larger manufacturing facility and developing an even greater selection of adaptive sports equipment.
Tanner’s journey, supported by KAST’s Venture Acceleration Program, exemplifies how innovation, passion, and the right support can transform a dream into reality.
The Venture Acceleration Program is made possible through the funding and support of Innovate BC and NRC IRAP.
Learn more about Grey Space Adaptives online and on Facebook and Instagram.
About KAST : The Kootenay Association for Science and Technology is a non-profit organization based in the Kootenay region. It supports the growth of science, technology, and innovation in the region by connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, and students with resources and support.
