CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE EVENT:
CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM CARDDROP!
After a great Pitch-off between 11 teams at 10 minutes per pitch, our judges announced the winner. On the judging panel, we had Karen Grant, Executive Director of the Angel One Investor Network; Bill Holmes, Dean of Business at Sheridan College; Stuart McKeen, Manager of Innovation and Manager of “People’s Initiative Programs” at FedDev Ontario and Grand Cheng, AVP at PointClickCare.
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Judge Panel (L-R): Bill Holmes (Sheridan College); Stuart McKeen (FedDev Ontario); Karen Grant (Angel One Investor Network) and Grand Cheng (PointClickCare)
Startup teams working on their projects while absorbing knowledge from speakers and coaches in the Collaboratory on the 2nd floor, Sheridan HMC
Proud and happy winners from team CardDrop with VentureStart sponsors Sarah Lenarcic (left) and Stuart McKeen (right)
Sponsors and judges with Pam Banks (RIC Executive Director) and John Switzer (Chair of RIC Board) for Startup Weekend Peel October 2012
SPONSOR LOGOS & PRIZE PACKAGE WON BY TEAM CARDDROP:
$1000 Cash Prize by PointClickCare
$500 Training Certificate by VentureStart
$100 from 1st Customer by Silicon Halton
Free video coverage by SwitchVideo
3 hours of consulting by Candybox Marketing
The Weekend of October 19-21, 2012…
FRIDAY
Darrell Keezer (keynote speaker) tells his story
Top Ideas from the Pitchfire
Friday evening kicked off with a bang as people began to register and pick up their Startup Weekend SWAG bags. After pizza dinner and a photo booth session for their personalized Future CEO notebooks, participants made their way to the Main Auditorium. A warm Welcome from Pam Banks (RIC Centre) and Crystal Bennett (Sheridan College) was followed by our keynote address. Darrell Keezer from Candybox Marketing Inc. told us about his entrepreneurial journey. Next, Startup Facilitator, Tammy Hwang gave us an overview of the weekend and emphasized on how to “PIVOT”!! After an insightful presentation on IP and how it brings value to your business by Stephen Beney from Bereskin&Parr, the Pitchfire began. The audience then voted for the top 8 ideas followed by team formation. View more photos
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Teams hard at work as mentors circulate
Our Saturday morning kicked off with all the 10 companies getting straight down to developing their business. As the day went by, we had over 20 coaches work with our entrepreneurs to help them along their road to commercialization. Tim Scott, from Peer Point Consulting, talked about the importance of a value proposition and what sets each business apart from the rest. Manie Eager, from Openaxyz, highlighted the importance of a user and customer in business. You may have a great idea, but if no one is willing to pay for it, you got nothing! Gurminder Kandola, CTO of Fusenet then spoke about the importance of a developing, testing, and validating your prototype. Chris Herbert from Silicon Halton talked about the importance of marketing in growing your business.
Over a hot pasta lunch, Alex Peters and Rohan M from SMARTeacher, one of RIC’s very own clients, shared their experiences entrepreneurs and all the challenges they have come across. Axel Kuhn from E-path then spoke to the ample amount of market research available to all entrepreneurs online known as big data. He recommends entrepreneurs use online tools such as Google AdWords, industry analysis, and traffic analysis tools such as Compete and Seomoz. Jason Lavigne from Connect2Fans addressed the importance of UAT – User Acceptance Testing. Tip of the day: “Innovation comes in knowing when your users are wrong!” Last but not least, Andrew Maxwell from Canadian Innovation Centre, shared his top 10 tips on what to avoid when giving an investor pitch. More Photos
Sunday consisted of intense one on one coaching sessions for the teams in the morning. Then after sandwiches and salad for lunch, each team did a pitch-run-through session in front of a panel of 3 experts who gave them feedback and an evaluation of their pitches. At 3:30pm, 11 teams presented their 10 minute pitches to our judges (Karen Grant from Angel One, Bill Holmes from Sheridan College, Stuart McKeen from FedDev Ontario and Grand Cheng from PointClickCare). After a break for hot hors d’ouevres while the judges convened, the winner of Startup Peel was announced. Congratulations Team CardDrop!!
Visit the Peel Startup Weekend Website for more information.
Peel Startup Weekend Press Release
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