Science 3K Pitch Competition
The Science 3K Pitch Competition is an opportunity for students at the Faculty of Science to pitch their innovative ideas to researchers and industry experts. If you are a student in the Faculty of Science and have an innovative idea, this competition is for you! Sign up for one of the information sessions, happening in November 2025 and January 2026.
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Competition details
The Science 3K Pitch Competition recognises and inspires innovation and entrepreneurship in science. The competition is open to any undergraduate student, graduate student, or postdoctoral fellow in the Faculty of Science (or any team with up to 5 members) who has an idea, innovation, invention, or technology to pitch and who has undertaken entrepreneurial or commercialisation activities or plans to do so in the future.
The Science Innovation Hub will offer pitch training, coaching and mentorship to all selected applicants to help support and prepare you for the pitch competition.
If you do not have a commercialization or entrepreneurship plan, but have an idea, innovation, invention or technology, we encourage you to still apply. Our team will support you in developing a commercialization or entrepreneurship plan for your pitch.
Eligibility and evaluation
Eligibility
Participants in the pitch competition must meet all of the following criteria:
- Applicants may be individuals or teams of up to five members.
- The primary applicant (presenter) on each team or the individual has to be a current undergraduate or graduate student, or a postdoctoral fellow from the Faculty of Science.
- The primary applicant for teams must have contributed substantially to the idea or entrepreneurial activities and not merely be a spokesperson.
- Teams/Individuals must have an idea, invention, or technology to pitch.
- Teams/Individuals must have undertaken or plan to undertake entrepreneurial or commercialization activities.
All team members need to be registered on the application form. The prize will be distributed equally to all registered team members.
I don't have a business plan. Can I still apply?
Yes! You do not need to have a business or even a comprehensive business plan to apply. Research and development activities are considered as entrepreneurial and commercialization activities if they are undertaken to advance the technology readiness or commercial feasibility of your idea, technology, or invention.
My innovation, invention or discovery is part of a research project. Can I still apply?
If the idea, innovation, invention, or technology submitted is the result of a collaborative research project or PI-driven project, the student applying needs to be a significant contributing factor in the idea, innovation, invention, or technology and/or to entrepreneurial and commercialization plans surrounding it, and not just a spokesperson.
My innovation, invention or discovery is not part of a research project. Can I still apply?
If you are a current undergraduate or graduate student in Faculty of Science or a current postdoctoral fellow in Faculty of Science you are eligible to apply, even if your idea, innovation, or invention is not the result of a scientific research project and your commercialization plans do not involve scientific research and development.
My idea, invention or technology was the result of team effort or collaboration. Can I still apply?
Teams of up to five members may apply provided:
- The primary applicant is a current undergraduate or graduate student or postdoc in Faculty of Science
- A current undergraduate student, graduate student or postdoc in Faculty of Science has contributed to the idea or entrepreneurial activities substantially and is not merely a spokesperson
However, this question is best addressed on a case by case and individual basis.
Please contact Christa Kruck to determine if your idea is eligible for this competition.
Evaluation
Applications to the Science Spark 3K Pitch Competition will be evaluated by a selection committee, and selected applications will be invited to pitch at the Science Innovation Showcase.
Applicants will be notified whether they will be invited to participate in the pitch competition.
The pitch competition will be judged by external judges, and the top prize will go to the individual or team with the highest score.
Information sessions
Information sessions will be held virtually on Zoom. Attendance at information sessions is not required to apply. If you want more information about the Pitch Competition but cannot attend an information session, please reach out directly to Daniel Heschuk (Daniel.Heschuk@umanitoba.ca)
Application process
Please ensure you have reviewed the eligibility criteria before you apply. If you have any questions, please consider signing up for one of the information sessions. You can also contact our program development specialist, Daniel Heschuk (Daniel.Heschuk@umanitoba.ca).
Past competitions
2025 Science 3K Pitch Competition presented by Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM)
On April 4, 2025, 8 student teams pitched their innovative ideas and competed for a $3,000 cash prize!
Congratulations to the winning teams and thank you to everyone who joined us.
2025 winners
- First place: Rana Ahmed, Ghosoun Alomari, Paula Pineda Sanchez
- Second place: Tobi Olanipekun, Samuel Ogunsola
- Third place: Elaine Schultz
2025 sponsors
- Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM)
- University of Manitoba, Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization, and Innovation
- Tech Manitoba
2024 Science Spark Pitch Competition presented by Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM)
On April , 2024, 9 student teams shared their big ideas in front of students, faculty and industry experts as they competed for a $3,000 cash prize. Thank you to our incredible teams for all their hard work!
Congratulations to the winning team of Randi Roy and Harman Gill, and the team of Jessica Marinelli, Anotidaishe Chimutsa, Rudra Patel, Oyinksansola Oyateru and Kevin Lim, winners of the audience choice award.
2024 sponsors
- Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM)
- University of Manitoba Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization, and Innovation Office
- Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship – Asper School of Business
- Tech Manitoba
2023 Science Spark Pitch Competition presented by Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, TDS Law
On April 27, 2023, 11 students pitched their innovative ideas and technologies as they competed for a $3,000 cash prize. Thank you to all our amazing presenters!
Congratulations to our winner, Daniel Heschuk, and the team of Laura Los, Ian Kruk, and Shayna Giesbrecht, our audience choice winners.
2023 sponsors
- University of Manitoba Partnerships and Innovation Office
- Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship - Asper School of Business
- EMILI – Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative
Contact us
-
Daniel Heschuk
Program Development Specialist
W230 Duff Roblin
Daniel.Heschuk@umanitoba.ca