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Hill Levene & GATE

Innovation Challenge

A team of five students is ready to present after a sleepless night on campus.
31 Participants
6 solutions presented
$5,500 in scholarships won

Innovation Challenge 2026

Big Ideas. Local Impact. Two Days to Build the Future of Downtown Regina

The Innovation Challenge 2026 is a fast-paced, collaborative experience where students, entrepreneurs, and community members come together to tackle real issues facing Regina. Working in teams, participants transform local problems and opportunities into bold, actionable solutions. Ideas may take the form of a policy, program, social enterprise, technology, or something entirely new. The challenge concludes with teams pitching their concepts to community and industry leaders.

The Challenge

Focus: Downtown Core Development

How can we reimagine and revitalize Regina’s downtown through entrepreneurship, technology, and placemaking? Teams will explore strategies that strengthen community well-being, boost economic activity, and enhance the downtown experience.

Who Can Participate

Innovation Challenge 2026 is open to all students enrolled at the University of Regina or its federated colleges. Participation is open to all undergrad and graduate students from all faculties.

 When and Where

  • Dates & Times:
    • Friday, February 6, 2026  | 3:30 - 11 PM (Participants will return home overnight)
    • Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Location: The Hill Towers, 2010 12th Avenue, Regina downtown

The Experience

  • Join an interdisciplinary team and dive into a real-world challenge
  • Ideate, research, plan, and prototype a solution over two days
  • Work with community insights and expert guidance
  • Pitch your idea to a panel of leaders from business, government, and academia

Thirty participants will be selected and grouped into six teams of five, bringing diverse perspectives together to create practical, community-focused ideas.

Why Participate

Gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and innovation, build your network, and make a real impact on Regina's future.

The Prizes

The top three teams win scholarships:

First place award: $3,000
Second place award: $1,500
Third place award: $500

Event Agenda 

Friday, February 6

3:30 - 4:15 PM: Registration, Team Check-In, and Reception 
4:15 - 4:30 PM: Opening and Welcome 
4:30 - 5:30 PM: Stakeholder Panel: Regina’s Opportunities and Challenges 
5:30 - 6:00 PM: Team Debriefing
6:00 - 6:30 PM: Team Dinner
6:30 - 10:30 PM: Work Session 1 
10:30 - 11:00 PM: Daily Wrap-Up 

 Saturday, February 7

8:00 - 8:30 AM: Morning Check-In 
8:30 - 11:00 AM: Work Session 2 
10:00 AM: Mentors On-Site 
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Lunch 
12:00 - 3:30 PM: Final Work Session
Final Pitches and Closing Celebration
3:30 - 4:30 PM: Pitch Presentations
4:30 - 5:00 PM: Judges Deliberation
5:00 - 5:30 PM: Awards and Closing Remarks 

Contact Us

Business.CollisionSpace@uregina.ca

Ready to Take on The Innovation Challenge?

Registration is now closed.
Deadline to register as a participant is January 22.

Get Involved or Contribute!

A team of participants pose for a group picture.

Participate as a Student

Are you ready to take your creativity to the next level? Join fellow students from diverse disciplines in a 24-hour intensive challenge where you'll collaborate, innovate, and present solutions to real-world problems - all while competing for the scholarship prize!

The challenge requires participants to be actively engaged for the full 24 hours, so be ready to stay overnight on campus.

Fill out the registration form above.

Four volunteer judges pose for a picture in the large presentation room.

Contribute as a Mentor or Judge

Are you passionate about fostering innovation and shaping the next generation of problem solvers? Join us as a mentor or judge.

As a mentor, you'll guide interdisciplinary student teams through their 24-hour challenge, providing invaluable expertise and support. As a judge, you'll evaluate their innovative solutions and contribute to our commitment to driving real change in our community.

Your involvement will not only empower students but also contribute to the cultivation of a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit on our campus.

*Seats filled for 2026 - Reach out to Business.CollisionSpace@uregina.ca for questions*

Two staff members pose for a picture next to the Hill and Levene Schools' banner.

Student Volunteer Opportunities

Are you eager to make a meaningful impact on campus? Consider being part of the student volunteer team. 

As a volunteer, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring the event runs smoothly while gaining firsthand experience in organizing and facilitating a high-energy, 24-hour challenge.

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a dynamic event, support diverse teams, and contribute to the success of this competition.

*Reach out to Business.CollisionSpace@uregina.ca for questions*

Panel speakers pose for a picture with Interim Business Dean Saqib Khan.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Are you passionate about supporting innovation and empowering future leaders?

As a sponsor, your contribution will directly impact the success of this event, providing vital support for scholarships, resources, and opportunities for these aspiring innovators. Your sponsorship will not only showcase your commitment to education and innovation but also position your brand as a key supporter of tomorrow's leaders.

Join us in driving forward the culture of innovation on our campus and beyond.

*Reach out to Business.CollisionSpace@uregina.ca for questions*

A participant is checking-in at the welcome table. A student holds up her Innovation Challenge t-shirt and name tag. President Jeff Keshen gives greetings. Participants taking notes during the wicked problem presentation. Interim Business Dean Saqib Khan gives greetings. Participants listening to the presentation. Victor Roman Morrow gives a presentation on the selected wicked problem. Innovation Challenge kick off. The participants are listening to the panel discussion. All the speakers from the kick off pose for a picture. From left to right, Valerie Sluth, Andrew Stevens, Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen, Saqib Khan, Victor Roman Morrow, and Dwight Heinrichs. Team 2 gathers around a computer in their room. A participant is discussing an idea in his team's room. Two participants pose for a picture the morning of the second day of the challenge. Team 1 discusses their idea in their classroom. The whiteboard behind them is full of notes. A participant is practicing his pitch presentation in his team's room. Team 6 poses for a picture with disposable plates. The chalkboard behind them has the name of their project written on it: SharePlate. A participant is sitting on the floor of his team's room wrapped in a blanket. Team 3 poses for a picture before the presentations begin. Team 6 poses on the stairs before the presentations begin. Team 4 poses on a couch outside the presentation room. Team 2 poses with their bags, sleeping bags, and balloon outside of the presentation room. Team 1's representative is presenting. Team 2 is giving their presentation. Team 3's member is presenting. Four judges are sitting in the front row. From left to right: Peter Moroz, Mark Borgares, Brett Waytuck, and Evelyn Cerda. Team 4's representative is presenting. Judges are giving feedback after a team's presentation. Team 5 introduces itself to the audience. Judges pose for a group picture. Team 1 poses with their certificates after taking second place. Saqib Khan and Mark Borgares are in the picture with them. Team 3 poses with their certificates after taking first place. Saqib Khan and Evelyn Cerda are in the picture with them. Three members of Team 6 pose for a picture with their certificates. Two members of Team 6 pose for a picture. Team 5 poses for a picture. Two coordinators stand beside the Hill and Levene Schools of Business banner.