The challenge brought together students from the University of Calgary and across Canada to solve real-world problems using digital innovation and data analytics. It was hosted by the Haskayne School of Business and funded by the Steve and Tina Wilson Family Foundation.
"We wanted to be able to empower students to think outside the box and to try and solve complex problems," says Leah Bortolin, director of Haskayne Centres, including the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which hosted the March 15 event at Platform Calgary.
Steve Wilson, a Calgary business leader and former CFO of Shaw Communications says: "We are passionate about creating opportunities for students to reach their full potential."
Video Credit: Kyle Sieben, Communications
Tackling a real-world problem
This year's challenge asked students to tackle a difficult problem: how to measure social connection or network value among entrepreneurs.
The challenge was posed by Dr. Terry Rock, PhD, CEO of Platform Calgary, whose work centres on helping entrepreneurs build the connections they need to succeed.
Many of these connections happen unexpectedly, he says, such as at events or through casual conversations, but their impact can take months to surface.
"We know that people met their investor at [an] event, but we only found out about it six months later," says Rock, reflecting on the ripple effect of networking moments.
For organizations like Platform Calgary a downtown innovation hub focused on growing Calgary's tech ecosystem to support early stage startups being able to measure those moments is key to accelerating innovation. Partnering with UCalgary offered the perfect opportunity to explore how.
"The University of Calgary is a portal to the next generation," says Rock.
He sees student participation as an important part of Calgary's innovation journey, as they are the future innovators and leaders who will shape Calgary's economy and community.
Students shape Calgary's innovation future
After an initial online round on Feb. 1, the competition narrowed down to seven finalists, teams who then pitched their ideas in person at Platform Calgary on its KPMG Stage.
One of those teams, Slam Dunk Consulting, featured first-year MBA student Basma Akhter.
Their solution, Connections Quest, uses AI-powered intake forms and QR code "mini quests" to help people at networking events find deeper, more meaningful matches.
Akhter describes her experience as very positive and a great learning moment.
"I think one of the most important skills I developed through this competition was really embracing curiosity," says Akhter, BSc'21.
"Overall, we really had this openness to try different things, to see what works, what doesn't work and to have a growth mindset towards it, which really helped our team come up with a solution that was realistic."
Making connections across Canada
Beyond the solutions, the competition was also about forming genuine connections with peers from across Canada.
"Meeting people across Canada was a very exciting and wonderful experience," says Akhter.
"It didn't feel like we were part of a competition and we were pitching against each other or anything Every single team visiting Calgary from different parts of Canada were very welcoming and warm."
For Bortolin, BA'95, MA'98, watching those connections come to life was one of the highlights of the event.
"The most exciting part for me is watching students from across Canada come together," she says.
"The excitement on their faces when they meet each other and start talking about where they're from and what they do it just makes all the hard work we put into this case completely worthwhile."
Competition reflects lasting impact
The competition, now in its third year, has had a lasting impact in the role student innovation plays in shaping Calgary's future, says Wilson.
"We are proud to support future leaders who use innovation and critical thinking to create lasting, positive change in their communities, and we look forward to seeing their ideas come to life."
The top three teams were Team NextGen Consulting from UCalgary in third place, Team AI (Fun)damentals from York University in second and Team InnovaTech from the University of Alberta taking first place.
The winning teams received cash prizes of $2,500, $3,500 and $6,000, respectively.
The Digital Innovation Challenge Case Competition is proudly supported by the Steve and Tina Wilson Family Foundation and administered by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary.
Platform Calgary is a 50,000-sq.-ft. innovation hub in downtown Calgary that brings together founders, investors and talent all with the goal of growing Calgary's tech ecosystem. Our mandate is to unite the resources of the local tech community to help startups launch and grow at every stage of their journey, from ideation to scale.
The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business was founded through the generosity of the Hunter Family and is supported in perpetuity by the Hunter Family Foundation Endowment at the University of Calgary.
