IDEA START is UM’s newest initiative for the Manitoba entrepreneurial ecosystem.
IDEA START
Your Idea can change the world!
IDEA START is UM’s dedicated hub for entrepreneurship in all its forms. Offering a unified hub to access cutting-edge technology, tailored mentorship, and collaborative spaces, Idea Start provides a foundation to grow innovative ideas into viable successful ventures.
IDEA START streamlines the entrepreneurial journey for UM students, faculty, researchers, alumni and staff. Ignite your spirit of entrepreneurship with a culture of innovation and creativity that is accessible, empowering, impactful, and leading to societal change.
Ideas start here!
Have an interesting idea to share, or want to receive IDEA START news? Click the button to request a meeting and stay up to date with the IDEA START team.
On this page:
Events
IDEA START Venture and Innovation Community
Join us at IDEA START Office for our community of practice meetup where we'll focus on our individual journeys and opportunities to connect!
Why Attend?
- Networking: Connect with like-minded individuals and explore collaboration opportunities.
- Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Gain insights from experienced practitioners on new venture creation, fundraising, and navigating regulatory frameworks.
- Skill Development: Enhance your entrepreneurial and innovative skills through shared experiences and practical solutions.
- Thought Leadership: Contribute to establishing thought leadership in the region and drive innovation and entrepreneurship
Member Speak: Devon Bath and Mohamed Naim Ben Younes are the co-founders of GradFinder, a centralized AI-powered marketplace designed to connect prospective graduate students with supervisors more efficiently. As graduate students at the University of Manitoba, Devon and Naim recognized an opportunity to improve the often complex and outdated process of finding a supervisor. Inspired by their own experiences, they set out to create a more streamlined and accessible solution. They’ve been building GradFinder for the past year and a half and are now preparing for a soft launch this July.
IDEA START Office
1 Research Road Unit 100
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Upcoming Event Dates
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IDEA START Venture and Innovation Community Meetup (tentative)
Past Events
IDEA START AI Seminar
Session 1: Generative AI in Your Day-to-Day - Capabilities, Caution & Change
Session 2: Generative AI in Research & Innovation: Insight, Integrity & Impact
Featuring: Dr. David Gerhard, Department Head, Computer Science, University of Manitoba
Monday November 18, 2024
11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Smartpark Innovation Hub, 100 Innovation Drive
IDEA START Venture and Innovation Community Launch
Join the inaugural community meetup with guest speaker Mike Legary, Founder, Investor
- Fundraising Secrets for Early-Stage Startups
- Founder Game: Rapid Ideation Fun!
- Connect with Mentors,
- Investors & Experts Discover the Community & Become a Member!
Wednesday November 27, 2024
4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
VW SOCIAL CLUB, UMSU University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle
IDEA START Venture and Innovation Community @ Bannatyne
Join us at IDEA START Office for our community of practice meetup where we'll focus on our individual journeys and opportunities to connect!
Why Attend?
- Networking: Connect with like-minded individuals and explore collaboration opportunities.
- Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Gain insights from experienced practitioners on new venture creation, fundraising, and navigating regulatory frameworks.
- Skill Development: Enhance your entrepreneurial and innovative skills through shared experiences and practical solutions.
- Thought Leadership: Contribute to establishing thought leadership in the region and drive innovation and entrepreneurship
Featuring Special Guest Mentor: Dr. Denice Bay, Associate Professor and researcher in the University of Manitoba’s Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Visit the Bannatyne Campus!
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Brodie Centre
727 McDermot Ave
Winnipeg, MB
Team
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IDEA START supports entrepreneurs at UM and beyond. Get involved today!
Get Started
Explore the power of Ideas!
IDEA START is located on the main floor of UMSU University Centre, adjacent to the food court.
Operating Hours: 10am – 1pm every Friday or Email Rajeev: rajeev.koyal@umanitoba.ca
Partnerships
Although additional community partners will be invited to join IDEA START, current partnerships include:
- Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship
- North Forge Technology Exchange
- UM Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL)
- UM Faculty of Science
- Office of the Vice-President (Research and International) - Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization, & Innovation (PKMI)
