Apply
Student presenting their startup idea

Startup 101 Bootcamp

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!

2025 Details

When:

  1. January 25th
    1. University of Regina Campus
    2. La Cite 215
  2. February 8th
    1. University of Regina Campus
    2. La Cite 215
  3. Bootcamp Finale: March 19th

    1. Innovation Saskatchewan
    2. Rotunda

Who: University of Regina Students, Faculty and Staff

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

Please Note:

  • All faculties are welcome to join!
  • Attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory for all three sessions.
  • 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.

Registration is now closed for the Bootcamp. If you would like more information, please email: gate.innovation@uregina.ca

Please check out the other opporuntities to get involved:

3 men from the 2024 Startup 101 Bootcamp sitting at a table

Alumni Werner Biegler: From Founding to Exit in 6.5 Years

Join us for an exciting and insightful talk with University of Regina alumnus, Werner Biegler, B. Comm, MBA, an accomplished entrepreneur, exited founder, and active angel investor with StartupTNT and start-up mentor. Whether you’re an innovator, or someone passionate about startups and technology, this is an event you don’t want to miss as exited founders are very rare!

📅 When: Thursday, February 8
⏰ Time: 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Where: Innovation Place

 

Bootcamp Finale!

Come cheer on the next wave of innovators at the Startup 101 Bootcamp Finale!


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. Our participants have worked tirelessly alongside like-minded peers to learn and develop their business concepts, refine their pitches, and prepare to WOW the judges! Now, it’s time to see the results of their hard work!

2025 Details

📅 When:

  1. March 19th
    1. Innovation Saskatchewan
    2. Rotunda

⏰ Time: 6:30-9:30pm
👩👨 Who: Open to the public, everyone is welcome! 

Watch as these driven individuals present 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 are high, and the energy will be electric!

Don’t miss this chance to witness innovation in action. Register now to support our students, see what ideas blow the judges away, and find out who will walk away with the prize money to take their startup to the next level!

Please Note: *Faculty and staff are ineligible to win prizes, but were encouraged to participate!

 

REGISTER HERE!

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.”

Previous Startup 101 Bootcamps

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!