Idea Prize

INVALUABLE INDUSTRY FEEDBACK, PITCH PRACTICE & CASH PRIZES!

The annual Idea Prize competition celebrates innovative concepts and ideas from the Simon Fraser University community, emphasizing the potential of startups and their founders, based on their vision and execution plan for developing their idea. 

Competitors receive support and training through dedicated workshops, peer networking and coaching sessions from Chang Institute mentors prior to finals in March.

Idea Prize is open to ideas, concepts, and early-stage startups founded by SFU students (undergrad, grad, professional programs) as well as to staff, faculty and recent alumni (within 2 years of graduation), and co-founders.

Competitors will be judged over two rounds by panels of industry experts, on the quality of their new or existing business concept, early traction, and founder focus. 

Past Idea Prize winners include:  CPQ HeroFingerprint Technologies, One Iota Performance, Employ to EmpowerGameSeta (acquired by PlayVS), Pondr, Pulse Tofu, Livshows, Labora

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

APPLICATION SAMPLE DOWNLOAD

Clicking below for a sample pdf form of the Idea Prize 2026 Application. This is a sample only and will not be accepted as an application.

2026 KEY DATES

Info Session: February 10, 2026, 12:30-1:30PM.

*Idea Prize 2025 Workshops: Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Online.

  • Customer Discovery @ 10AM 
  • Get Pitch Perfect @ 12:00PM 


Preliminary & Final Dates
Idea Prize Preliminary Virtual Pitch-Offs (virtual): Monday, March 9, 2026 - Wednesday March 11, 2026. 

*Idea Prize Finals & Awards (in-person): Tuesday, March 31, 2026

*Dates are tentative, subject to change, and times are TBA

To be eligible to receive award(s), applicants (including at least one SFU-connected founder) MUST be available to compete in the in-person Final Round on March 31, 2026 for the Idea Prize Finals. 

Competition Eligibility for 2026

** Ventures do NOT need to be incorporated in order to compete. **

ELIGIBILITY

  • Less than 1 year of operations (from date of registration / incorporation, first sale, or other significant activity like a website launch)
  • Under $5,000 revenue
  • Under $25,000 combined non-dilutive / dilutive investment (excluding research grants or competition prizes)
  • At least 25% of intended or current ownership must be held by a member of the SFU community
  • Startup may be registered or incorporated as a not-for-profit, co-op, business, or be a non-formalized research, class or other team project
  • All industries and sectors welcome.  
  • Other eligibility factors:
    • Past Idea Prize winners are not eligible to compete with the same idea/startup.
    • Current Chang Institute incubator participants can not apply with their incubator-supported startup, but team members CAN apply with a NEW idea/startup

Note: The Director(s) of the Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship reserves the right to make the final determination of the eligibility of submitted ideas and business ventures. More eligibility/criteria is available in the application form.

 

PRIZES for 2026

  • $5K Top Idea Prize
  • $2500 1st runner up
  • $1250 2nd runner up
  • $2500 Thomas Kineshanko Memorial Entrepreneurial Prize
  • $2500 Patrick Lougheed Alumni Founder Award

 

IDEA PRIZE 2026 FINALISTS

MEET OUR 2026 FINALISTS!

CONCOURSE

Concourse brings together timetables, coursework, notes, files, and group projects into one intelligent study hub that integrates with tools students already use. By organizing work by course and understanding connections between lectures and assignments, it helps students prioritize, reduce overwhelm, and collaborate more effectively.

MEANINGFUL INNOVATIONS

Meaningful Innovations developed Engage, a platform that helps organizations understand how their procedures are working by enabling staff to share feedback through simple and familiar interactions. It provides leadership with real time insights and tools like an AI chatbot to identify issues, improve clarity, and prioritize meaningful changes.

GROW EASY SOLUTIONS

GrowEasy supports immigrant owned small businesses with affordable AI assisted marketing and digital operations, combining in person relationships with hands on execution. From social media content to website creation and operational support, it helps businesses grow and compete online without needing in house expertise.

WLF Gardens

WLF Gardens aims to improve access to fresh and healthy food by providing custom indoor growing systems and related services to communities across the Lower Mainland. Through food donations, hydroponic system design, and educational initiatives, it supports community organizations and promotes greater food security.

TEAM A

Their venture develops AIDCIM, a grid aware decision support platform that helps data centers manage fluctuating energy demand and system constraints. By analyzing power and workload data, it provides insights that reduce risk, improve predictability, and support reliable operations without replacing existing tools.

VENDORED

Vendored helps couples find trusted wedding vendors through real and unfiltered reviews from people who have planned weddings in their city. By offering honest ratings and pricing transparency, it brings clarity and confidence to a typically overwhelming planning process.

ZENJI

ZENJI offers a zero sugar fermented drink with beneficial bacteria designed to support gut health and reduce digestive discomfort. As a flavorful alternative to traditional sodas, it targets wellness focused consumers looking for functional beverages that go beyond simple refreshment.

NOURISH CANDY

Nourish transforms upcycled fruit into protein rich gummies that are low in sugar while helping reduce food waste in the produce industry. With high protein and fiber content, these snacks offer a tasty and nutritious option that supports active lifestyles without compromising quality.

MOUNTAIN AEROSPACE

Mountain Aerospace develops SkyCommand. A real-time air traffic control system featuring live ADS-B radar, 3D airspace visualization, conflict detection, and Apple Vision Pro integration. It helps pilots improve compliance and reduce operational risk with accurate maps, guided procedures, and clear alerts. 

PAST WINNERS

MEET THE IDEA PRIZE 2025 WINNERS

TOP IDEA PRIZE 2025 - $5,000

CPQ Hero

Turns meeting transcripts into quotes, all within your existing tools.

SECOND PLACE - $2,000

Gear2Peer

Peer-to-peer outdoor gear rental marketplace that makes adventure more accessible, affordable, and sustainable.

THIRD PLACE - $1,000

Home Keep

A premium subscription service that provides unlimited, stress-free home maintenance—handling everything from routine handyman tasks to urgent HVAC and plumbing repairs

Patrick Lougheed SFU Alumni Founder Award - $2,500

Awarded to Royce Sin of Solo Pilot

AI-powered solution for streamlined operations, automating tasks like marketing, client management, and invoicing to save time, earn more, and be competitive

FUNDERS & PARTNERS

Thank you to our 2026 competition funders & partners: