2024 StartUp Lab Pitch Competition

May 17, 2024

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StartUp Lab Hosts First Annual Pitch Competition.

Spotlights Ontario’s Brightest Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

Wilfrid Laurier University’s StartUp Lab, the early-stage incubator within the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, hosted its 1st Annual StartUp Lab Pitch Competition on May 17. An exciting, high-energy event that positioned itself as a can’t-miss opportunity for up-and-coming entrepreneurs from across the province and beyond.

As Laurier’s innovation hub, StartUp Lab supports early-stage entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, resources, and a strong community to help launch and grow their ventures. Located on the first floor of Lazaridis Hall, the incubator brought its mission to life through this competition, designed specifically for founders with less than $100,000 in combined earnings, investments, or winnings.

The event drew 20 semi-finalist ventures to participate in the StartUp Fair, including one team traveling from Calgary. These founders had the chance to speak directly with evaluators during a 90-minute session, showcasing their businesses and competing for a spot in the final round.

StartUp Fair during the 2024 StartUp Lab Pitch Competition

Laurier President and Vice-Provost Dr. Deborah MacLatchy opened the day with a warm and inspiring welcome, emphasizing the university’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.
After the initial round, five finalists were selected by the judges, while one additional finalist was chosen by Laurier students as the Student Choice Pitch. The six finalists who took the stage were:

Entangled Vision – Connor Kapahi
BeBlended – Aileen Agada
Visora – Hussain Phalasiya (Student Choice Pitch)
PipeRich – Jeff Baumen
Ace, Inc. – Lauren DeSouza
Trap X – Hassan Al Matni

Each team presented a live pitch in front of a panel of expert judges: Lisa Cashmore, John Tennant, and Cameron Branston. With $35,000 in total prizes at stake, the competition was fierce and the ideas compelling.

The winners were:

1st Place – $20,000: Entangled Vision
2nd Place – $7,000: BeBlended
3rd Place – $5,000: Visora

The remaining finalists: Ace, Inc., PipeRich, and Trap X, each received $1,000 for reaching the final round.

Finalists of the 2024 StartUp Lab Pitch Competition with the StartUp Lab Team

The event concluded with a keynote address from Max Tremaine, StartUp Lab alumnus and founder/CEO of Sherpaº, who shared his journey from being a startup founder at Laurier to the successful entrepreneur he is today. His words of advice and encouragement resonated with both participants and audience members alike.

Max Tremaine, Wilfrid Laurier Alumn and CEO of Sherpaº

The 2024 Pitch Competition was a landmark moment for StartUp Lab, not just as its biggest event of the year, but as a statement that Ontario’s most exciting early-stage pitch competition has officially arrived.

Want to be part of the journey? Visit our website and follow us on social media to explore how StartUp Lab is helping shape the next wave of entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for updates, stories from our founders, and announcements about next year’s Pitch Competition. The next big idea could be yours!