The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary's University has announced the top 64 contenders from across Canada who will compete for a total of $17,000 in The Arena, Canada's premier pitch competition for university students. The first-place prize is $10,000, runner-up prize is $5,000 and third and fourth place competitors each receive $1,000.
Now in its fifth year, The Arena continues to grow its national reputation now attracting applications from 37 post-secondary universities across Canada including University of Toronto, McGill University, Queen's University, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Waterloo as well as schools throughout Atlantic Canada.
The 64 contenders will compete in a dynamic head-to-head pitch competition modelled after the NCAA March Madness. Students showcase their innovative ideas to panels of expert judges over six rounds starting with round one on March 3 and concluding on April 1. The event takes place online and all matches will be live streamed on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Follow along at arthurlirvingentrepreneurshipcentre.ca/thearena.
"The Arena is an adrenaline-pumping showdown where student entrepreneurs showcase their ideas and compete for the title of the nation's top innovator," says Michael Sanderson, Director, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre "this competition is transformational and lucrative - students get valuable, immediate feedback and the chance to win $17,000 toward their business."
The Arena is hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and sponsored by Metronomics who provide the $17,000 in prize money. Metronomics was founded by Saint Mary's University graduate Shannon Byrne Susko BComm'89 BSc'92. Susko is a successful serial entrepreneur who has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 25 Inspirational Women Leaders and as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
"It's always inspiring to see the next generation of entrepreneurs step up and pitch their ideas at The Arena," says Susko. "As a two-time graduate of Saint Mary's, it's an honour to give back to a community that played such a big role in my own journey. I'm excited to support these students and share Metronomics to turn their ideas into solid, scalable businesses."
Since 2021, The Arena has provided $71,000 in prizes and highlighted over 320 student business ideas. With a focus on growth, innovation and cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary's University is Atlantic Canada's premier hub for cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and driving open innovation. The Centre grows regional prosperity by helping business and student leaders reach their entrepreneurial potential. In the last five years, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre has engaged more than 4,000 students and 3,000 businesses in entrepreneurial support and promotion activities.
