New business ideas emerge at i3 Challenge

The i3 Idea Challenge, a business idea competition, kicks off its sixth season Wednesday at the Bassment.

The challenge, hosted by the W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Saskatchewan, will award the top three entrants $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, plus support including mentorship, planning sessions and legal and accounting assistance.

“Anyone can enter as long as they have at least one U of S student per team,” Nicole Walsh, marketing co-ordinator for the W. Brett Wilson Centre, said.

Entrepreneurs can apply by going online before March 20 and outlining their business idea and their team.

From March to May, entrants can attend workshops. Final submissions are due May 1 and will consist of a three-page business plan summary and a threeminute video pitch.

Judges will look at all submissions before narrowing the list to 11 ventures. They will meet with those 11, then announce a top five who will make a live pitch at the finale on May 22.

“We are hoping to get close to 50 entries, and like last year we are hoping to get them from all different industries and colleges,” Walsh said.

Wednesday’s kickoff — 5 p.m. at the Bassment — will feature a speed networking session meant to help connect early stage entrepreneurs with potential business partners, mentors and other supporters.

“There are so many incredible ideas coming from students at the university, and we want to give them the resources and support to get their ideas up and running,” W. Brett Wilson Centre director Stephanie Yong said in a statement. “We continue to encourage people with tech and non-tech focused ventures to apply.”

Last year’s top prize went to Onatha Studios, for a system that integrates video gaming into airway clearance therapy for children with cystic fibrosis. The game started as the group’s senior design project in an electrical engineering class.

Other past competitors include 3twenty Solutions, a company that converts old shipping containers into modular workforce housing; Neechie Gear, a clothing company that supports the development of aboriginal youth-based sports teams; and Farm at Hand, a cloudbased farm management program.

Tickets are available at www.picatic.com/i3socialcircle or at the door.

Visit usask.ca/wilsoncentre to apply or for more information.