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Startup 101 Bootcamp

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The Startup 101 Bootcamp is an interdisciplinary, multi-day program designed to immerse participants in the Saskatchewan startup ecosystem, help refine their ideas, build connections, and gain essential business skills. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, innovation or startups, this program is for you!

2026 Details

Throughout the Bootcamp (3 days), attendees will work alongside like-minded individuals to develop their business concepts and create a compelling pitch. At the end of the program, participants will have the chance to present their ideas to industry judges, gaining valuable feedback and exposure, as well as a chance to win money to develop your startup. This Bootcamp is ideal for those looking to take the next steps toward launching a startup.

What you will gain:

  • Insights into startups and entrepreneurship
  • Enhanced business communication skills
  • Effective market validation techniques
  • Expanded professional networks
  • Skills to craft a winning pitch
  • Personalized mentoring from industry experts

Startup 101 Bootcamp Application Form here!

Join the GATE Centre online at one of the Information Sessions to learn more about the Startup 101 Bootcamp happening in the winter semester.   Register here.

 

Please Note:

  • All faculties are welcome to join!
  • Spots are limited and participants are selected based on their idea, skillset, ability to fully commit to the Startup Bootcamp and area of study. Participant selection will prioritize graduate students.
  • *Cash prizes/money* will be applied to your student account. Faculty and staff are ineligible to win prizes.

 

If you would like more information, please email: gate.innovation@uregina.ca

 

 

 

Hannah presenting

2025 Review

Startup 101 Bootcamp took place on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 and was delivered in three parts. This program introduced U of R students, postdocs and faculty to the world of entrepreneurship and startups, while bringing the Saskatchewan ecosystem into the University.

The first two sessions involved introductory and exploratory learning of entrepreneurship that was open to anyone to participate!
Day 1:

  • Taiwo Afolabi & Olusola John, PhD (The Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre Theatre)
  • Kalen Leflar (Cultivator powered by Conexus)
  • Harrison Lars-Hansen (Conexus Venture Capital)
  • Dr. Emily Duncan
  • Open Path Partners
  • Veronica Santafe T., PhD
  • Hassan Naqvi (Startup TNT)

Day 2:

  • Joe Gill (McKercher LLP)
  • Mike Wolsfeld (Startup TNT)
  • Josh Stewart-Van Dusen (Tandem X Visuals)
  • Keynote from University of Regina Alumni, Werner Biegler
People's choice holding a cheque

Winners

Second place holding cheque People's choice holding cheque Third place holding cheque

The third and final day, our driven individuals presented their startup ideas in a compelling pitch to a panel of industry judges, showcasing their creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit. With big prizes* up for grabs, the stakes were high, and the energy was electric! Thank you to our judges: Michael Tate from the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce, Taiwo Afolabi from the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre, Divyesh Patel from Ground Truth Agriculture Inc., and Laura Mock, from the Cultivator.

Winner:

  • Chimly
    • Daniel Opata and Widom Igho

2nd Place:

  • FlashCall
    • Tu Anh Tran, Satyam Singh, Sathyajit Lohanathan, and Bernadette George

3rd Place:

  • Velorisce
    • Moluno Desire and Pureheart Moluno

People's Choice:

  • Xplore Genie
    • Md Khaled Hossain, Eftakharul Alam Bhuiya, and Md Moman Ul Haque Khan 

 

 

 

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Students sitting at table Students sitting at table Students sitting at table Students sitting at table Students sitting at table Students sitting Student presenting Student presenting Presenter speaking Students sitting at table First place winners recieving cheque Students sitting and talking around a table Student presenting their startup idea Student presenting their startup idea Student presenting their startup idea Audience clapping for student presentations Dr. Aziz Douai speaking to Startup TNT founder

Previous Startup 101 Bootcamps

2025

Startup 101 Bootcamp took place on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 and was delivered in three parts. This program introduced U of R students, postdocs and faculty to the world of entrepreneurship and startups, while bringing the Saskatchewan ecosystem into the University.

The first two sessions involved introductory and exploratory learning of entrepreneurship that was open to anyone to participate!
Day 1:

  • Taiwo Afolabi & Olusola John, PhD (The Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre Theatre)
  • Kalen Leflar (Cultivator powered by Conexus)
  • Harrison Lars-Hansen (Conexus Venture Capital)
  • Dr. Emily Duncan
  • Open Path Partners
  • Veronica Santafe T., PhD
  • Hassan Naqvi (Startup TNT)

Day 2:

  • Joe Gill (McKercher LLP)
  • Mike Wolsfeld (Startup TNT)
  • Josh Stewart-Van Dusen (Tandem X Visuals)
  • Keynote from University of Regina Alumni, Werner Biegler

The third and final day, our driven individuals presented their startup ideas in a compelling pitch to a panel of industry judges, showcasing their creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit. With $10,000 in prizes* up for grabs, the stakes were high, and the energy was electric! Thank you to our judges: Michael Tate from the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce, Taiwo Afolabi from the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre, Divyesh Patel from Ground Truth Agriculture Inc., and Laura Mock, from the Cultivator.

Winner ($5,000):

  • Chimly
    • Daniel Opata and Widom Igho

2nd Place ($3,000):

  • FlashCall
    • Tu Anh Tran, Satyam Singh, Sathyajit Lohanathan, and Bernadette George

3rd Place ($1,000):

  • Velorisce
    • Moluno Desire and Pureheart Moluno

People's Choice ($1,000):

  • Xplore Genie
    • Md Khaled Hossain, Eftakharul Alam Bhuiya, and Md Moman Ul Haque Khan
2024

Startup 101 Bootcamp took place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 and was delivered in three parts. This program introduced U of R students, postdocs and faculty to the world of entrepreneurship and startups, while bringing the Saskatchewan ecosystem into the University. The first two sessions involved panel sessions with Q&As as well as interactive and entertaining group learning sessions. The final part was a pitch competition with cash prizes and mentorship was provided along the way from Startup TNT.

Winner:

  • EcoFlex+ presented by Aaron Gerein, Samuel Oyedemi and Dr. Denise Stilling
    • Making trusted alternatives to single-use plastics

2nd Place:

  • Aureus Pharmaceuticals presented by Joshua Adams and Colin Rieger 
    • Developing new solutions to combat antibiotic resistance

3rd Place:

  • Health Link Direct presented by Trevor Tessier 
    • Creating an AI tool to better understand illnesses

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, innovation or startups, this program is for you!

What Past Participants Have to Say

David Akinmade, JoyFuel Founder

“Opportunities like GATE ignites a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs. It’s a testament that startups, steered by students and recent graduates like me, can discover a supportive community and vital resources to transform our future visions into reality.” David Akinmade, JoyFuel Founder

Trevor Tessier, BDM Healthware

“My experience as an entrepreneur has been relatively limited but thanks to GATE and the startup bootcamp I have had my first introduction into being an entrepreneur. GATE has provided me with support in the application of provisional patents for my research and has given me an introduction into the entrepreneurial world.” Trevor Tessier, BDM Healthware

Team Participant
“Ideas are a dime a dozen. Executing and knowing the resources to grow them is the challenge. GATE helps bring the idea from ideation to execution if the individual is willing to put in the work.”