Life After Winning Idea Prize | Coast Capital Savings Speaker Series

How did these SFU entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful startups with limited resources?

For many, a great idea may float into the mind and drift away after no action is taken. But three SFU entrepreneurs didn’t let go of their ideas and pitched them in the Venture Prize competition. In fact, they could convey their idea so well that they won the Top Idea Prize in the year they competed.

As part of the Coast Capital Savings Speaker Series, Venture Connection invites you to attend a panel with these past winners to learn about their experience pitching in the competition, tips on how to succeed, and what they took away from the competition that would change their paths forever. They truly exemplify how to do a lot with limited resources and capital.

Date: March 4

Time: 4-5PM

Location: Online

You will receive the Zoom link after you RSVP.

Please RSVP even if you can’t make the event time to receive the video recording.

>> SPEAKERS <<

Moderator: William Brenner, Venture Connection (Venture Prize 2017)

Panellists:

• Christina Wong, Employ to Empower (Idea Prize 2018)
• Rene Blanco, Labora (Idea Prize 2019)
• Tawanda Masawi, GameSeta (Idea Prize 2020)

Coast Capital Savings Venture Prize 2021

The Venture Prize competition, organized by Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection, celebrates innovative ideas and entrepreneurial pursuits from the Simon Fraser University community.

Competitors are given the opportunity to practice venture ideation, business plan writing, and presenting pitches. They’ll receive support in dedicated workshops and coaching sessions from Venture Connection’s mentors prior to the finals in April.

The competition is open to early-stage business ventures founded by SFU students from undergraduate, graduate and professional programs (e.g MBA), as well as by staff, faculty, and recent alumni.

Competitors are judged by a panel of industry experts on the quality of their business concept, current progress and future plans, founder track record and presentation skills.

• 10 years of the Venture Prize competition
• $75K in cash and prizes awarded to winners in 2020

Going online: SFU’s spring semester classes are taking place online. In light of this, the Venture Prize competition will be an entirely virtual experience in 2021.

Visit for the list of prizes and more information.

About Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection

Western Canada’s first university business incubator, Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection® is a university-wide incubator, entrepreneurship training program for students and recent alumni. From the initial business idea through to validation, Venture Connection® supports individuals exploring entrepreneurship possibilities. The program offers an early-stage business incubator, mentorship, co-op education terms, competitions, networking opportunities, workshops and seminars. Venture Connection® collaborates with all SFU faculties and departments, including the Beedie School of Business, the Faculty of Applied Sciences, the Faculty of Communication Arts and Technology, Work Integrated Learning and a wide-range of external partners. The program is supported by professional staff, including Mentors-in-Residence with substantial experience in a range of industries.