Schedule 2024-2025

Getting Started: Your Innovation Journey Begins

Location | Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, 2nd floor auditorium

Speaker | Dr. Paul Santerre - Professor, Co-director at Health Innovation Hub, Baxter Chair in Health Technology & Commercialization (UHN)

Case Study Workshop | Dr. Santerre has published over 220 peer-reviewed publications and is a listed inventor on over 70 patents in the area of medical polymers. He is the co-founder and current director of the Health Innovation Hub at the University of Toronto, a student-focused entrepreneurial training co-curricular program that has trained over 650 client health science companies which have generated over $430 million CAD.

This interactive workshop is your opportunity to get hands-on with real-world case studies as Dr. Santerre breaks down the startup lifecycle and highlights emerging opportunities in today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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Building Your Dream Team

Location | Sandford Fleming Building, Room 3202, St. George Campus

Speaker | Anjanaa Dattani | Assistant Professor at Rotman School of Management, Business Design & Innovation

Case Study Workshop | Anjana Dattani is a Lecturer of Business Design and Innovation at the Rotman School of Management. She brings deep facilitation expertise from her academic research and from working with thousands of executives, MBAs, and undergraduates on applying effective team formation techniques.

This Team Formation Workshop will delve into the essentials of creating, nurturing, and sustaining a high-performance team focused on innovation. We will examine the key traits of effective teams, the necessary skill sets for success, and strategies for fostering a growth-oriented culture.

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Innovation Fair Competition Application Open

Competition - Semifinal | The Innovation Fair marks the first stage of the Innovation OnBoard Pitch Competition. This is your chance to present your groundbreaking business ideas to a panel of judges, entrepreneurs, and esteemed UofT professors. At this dynamic fair, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your vision, gain valuable feedback, and pitch your concept in a competitive yet supportive environment.

Teams will be evaluated on feasibility, innovation, and impact, with the top teams advancing to the next round.

To apply, you need a strong business idea, a cohesive and committed team, and at least one team member who is currently, or has been, a UofT student within the past six months.

Take this opportunity to kickstart your journey in innovation. Submit your application now and join UofT’s vibrant entrepreneurial community.

• Apply

From Startups to Breakthroughs - Special Panel Q&A

Location | Medical Sciences Building Macleod Auditorium (MS2158)

Speakers:
Dr. Wayne Pommen - Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm, ex-CEO of PayBright
Dr. Morgan Barense - Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Toronto

Lecture series | Wayne Pommen is the founder and former CEO of PayBright. Under his leadership, PayBright grew from 5 to 250 employees and became one of Canada’s leading fintech companies, with retail clients including Apple, Hudson’s Bay, Wayfair, Samsung, and Sephora. PayBright was acquired by Affirm, where Wayne currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer. Morgan Barense is a professor at the University of Toronto, a Canada Research Chair, and the director of the Toronto Neuroimaging Facility. She is also the CEO and founder of Dynamic Memory Solutions Inc. (DMS). Under her leadership, DMS applies advances in basic science to create practical, evidence-based solutions to combat memory loss.

Dr. Wayne Pommen & Dr. Morgan Barense will share their innovation stories and answer questions from the audience in a panel-style session.

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Identifying Opportunities and Framing Problems

Location | Hart House, East Common Room

Speaker | Devin Singh | CEO @ HeroAI

Lecture series | Dr. Devin Singh is the founder and CEO of HeroAI and an emergency room doctor at SickKids Hospital. Dr. Singh and colleagues aim to tackle the problem of overcrowded emergency rooms through an AI-based automated triage system, offering a real-world example of how technology can transform healthcare.

In this session, you'll learn how to clearly define problems, conduct market research, and craft value propositions that set your solutions apart. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or curious about healthcare innovation, this workshop will equip you with practical tools to bring your ideas to life by addressing critical needs..

• COMING SOON

Co-Founders Day

Location | Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, 2nd floor auditorium

Teaming Activity | Are you looking for team members to make your idea happen? Are you looking to join a team and gain experience at a pitch competition? Regardless, join us for the Co-Founder's day, where you can register as either a founder or a co-founder. Founders pitch their ideas and co-founders choose a founder to form a team with. The event kicks off with an industry-specific speed-dating session, allowing co-founders to meet and explore ideas with founders. Afterward, attendees can network freely during an open social. The event wraps up with team registration, where teams of 1 founder plus 1-3 co-founders are formed for the final pitch competition.

• Coming Soon

Navigating Startup Stages and Fundraising Strategies

Location | Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, 2nd floor auditorium

Speaker | TBD - TBD

Workshop | Join Innovation Onboard for an engaging workshop designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the key stages of launching and scaling a startup. This event will cover essential fundraising strategies, from bootstrapping to attracting venture capital, and help you understand the right time and approach for each phase of your startup’s journey.

Participants will also get the opportunity to apply their learning with interactive pitch rehearsal activities. These sessions will provide personalized feedback, helping you refine your pitch, clarify your value proposition, and confidently present your ideas to investors. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for the next stage of growth, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex world of startup development and fundraising.

Innovation Fair Competition Application Closed

Competition - Semifinal | This is the last day to submit your application on our website.

Innovation Fair

Competition - Semifinal | Join us for an exciting showcase where student teams will present their innovative startup ideas on posters. This event offers a unique networking opportunity, allowing you to mingle with budding entrepreneurs, educators, and business professionals. We look forward to seeing you there and connecting with the future of innovation and entrepreneurship!

Final Competition and Reception

Competition - Finals | Get ready to witness some mind-blowing ideas, intense competition, and lots of inspiration. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just love innovative ideas, this is the place to be! Cheer on the participants as they showcase their creativity and present their business ideas.

What’s Next Workshop

Speaker | TBD

Workshop | Learn what is your next step as an entrepreneur and/or innovator after the big pitch competition. Whether you won it or not, celebrate what you learned over the year, and prepare for the future to come.