Entrepreneurship Challenge
In partnership with the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, your USC is facilitating a program for students to activate their entrepreneurial aspirations within the student body. The goal is to assist students in accelerating a service or product that better supports other students in their everyday life. Whether it be a service or product that supports students academically, financially, or in their general lifestyle.
In order to measure the success of the student group(s), proposals will need to address the following criteria: sustainability, affordability and usage.
For the product/service to be deemed sustainable, it will have to be something that can be utilized by students across their entire undergraduate career (i.e. from 1st to 4th year). Additionally, the product/service can be graded with this measure if it promotes environmental sustainability on campus. The product/service should be affordable for students to use, ensuring that it aligns with the values of affordability that we advocate for. Lastly, students across all faculties and campuses should be able to utilize the product/service.
Prizes:
- Top 3 Winners (individuals or teams) will receive a cash prize of $2,500 / $1,000 / $500.
- Additionally, they will receive a booth in the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship Spring Market in the UCC Atrium in April.
- Winners will have the chance to sell merchandise/services in InfoSource.
Timeline:
- Accepted applicants were invited to the Entreprenurial Boot Camp, March 2nd from 11am to 7pm in the UCC.
- Teams must submit a “Pitch Deck” by March 15th at 11:59pm.
(Max 3 minute video + 5 slides) - Top 10 proposals to present live on Thursday, March 28th, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at The Wave
- Top 3 will be invited to participate in the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship Spring Market on April 3rd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet Western student and alumni-founded companies at Spring Market in the UCC on April 3, 2024.
Snacks and beverages will be provided, courtesy of Morrissette Entrepreneurship.
The Boot Camp schedule is designed to cover all the basic entrepreneurial topics topics in a single day, with ample breaks to ensure attendees remain engaged and have time to network, especially during the open session at the end.
Here are details on how it will all come together,
- Lay the groundwork for success in "Building the Right Foundation," ensuring a robust base for your venture.
- Expand your vision in "Think Big" and craft an irresistible "Value Proposition" to stand out.
- Navigate the marketplace with "Assessing the Market," pinpoint your "Minimal Viable Product," and refine your "Customer Development Process" for unparalleled growth.
- Master "Execution Modeling," "Financial Modeling," and learn the ins and outs of "Fundable Event Timelines, Valuations & Exits," alongside insights into "Team, Boards & Founderitis."
- Seal the deal with "Getting Investment," perfect your "Elevator Pitching," and polish your "Executive Summary" to capture investor interest.
The Thompson Innovation Fund (TIF) will pay students or teams of students money to build prototypes of their ideas. The student team must have at least 1 engineering student and the invention must be realistic (e.g., not break laws of physics). It is a one page application. Super easy-- the goal is to try to get students being more entrepreneurial and bring their ideas to life! It really is as good as it sounds. Find out more at https://www.eng.uwo.ca/tc/innovation-fund.html
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Students have the power to change the world.”
USC Vision Statement
