Student Innovation Challenge FAQs

Please refer to our How to Apply for submission guidelines for each category. Once ready, entries may be submitted here.

Any full time or part time student with a BCIT student number (A0…) and a bright idea. Even if you have an idea that isn’t fully developed, that’s okay. BCIT students must make up 50% of Teams.

Entries are submitted for one competition category. Please refer to our Challenge Categories for submission guidelines for each category. Once ready, entries may be submitted here.

Tell them about the Challenge! Encourage them to enter! Or team up with your friend to develop the idea.

No, you can just explain your idea in your application. Having some sort of a visual – especially in the final round – is strongly encouraged. That can be a sketch, picture or even a working prototype.

No, each person/team is restricted to one idea. However, you can enter a different idea next year.

Judges for the written applications are faculty and staff from BCIT. The pitch round includes judges from sponsoring organizations.

Yes!  4 Tips to Bring Your Idea to Life!

1. Make sure you read the submission guidelines for each category carefully.
2. Keep the following in mind while preparing your submission.

• • Unique
    –  Clearly explain how the idea is different from what is already available.
  • Clarity/Comprehensive
    –  Make it easy for the judges to assess your idea.
    –  The brightest ideas have clearly identified the idea, the problem being solved or business case, the technology needed, the market or industry, and the next steps to develop the idea.
    –  The submission is anchored in facts.
  • Pitch
    –  How strong and persuasive are your written submission and video, and oral (if you make the second round) presentations?
    –  How well can you sell us on your idea?
  • Market/Industry potential
    –  Understand the needs of the target market or industry.
    –  Estimates (sourced) about the size and demographics of the market or industry are important.
  • Feasibility: research solution / business model / sustainability
    –  Explain the elements of your solution / business / sustainability and the feasibility of implementing your idea.
    –  Put effort into understanding the costs associated with your idea.
  • Development planning
    –  List out and explain what is needed to move the idea closer to completion, as a product or solution to a problem.

These questions are a good way to determine how sustainable your idea is:

1. How does this innovation contribute to sustainability?
2. How does this innovation help to balance use of resources and renewal of the same resources?
3. How does this innovation account for all life cycle costs and benefits of its implementation?
4. How does this innovation get applied to the community, industry, or in service to the public?

Explanations of each question can be found in the School of Construction & the Environment Sustainability Framework.

Your written submission tells us about your innovation or business idea or project, the team, the next steps. The video is where we get to know you: tell us about yourself, explain your bright idea, and your motivation for the idea. It helps us better understand your idea. It doesn’t have to be professionally done.

When you submit your video, make sure you include your student number (A0…….) number in your email. Submit your video by the submission deadline via email or using DropBox.

Finalists will be chosen to pitch in front of a panel of judges, with the pitch round occurring approximately 2 1/2 weeks after the submission deadline. Please refer to the Challenge Timeline for the exact dates.

BCITSA Entrepreneurial Services was invited Dr. Vicky Roy, VP Academic and Provost from Medicine Hat College to give the first Ask an Expert workshop of 2020/21: Crafting the Perfect Pitch (slides).

And here are examples of a couple of really good pitches:

1. 2018 Elevator Pitch Winner, Flyer Pitch Competition. Daniel Ponto placed first in the 2018 Flyer Pitch competition first round for his elevator pitch about College Supply.
2. Steve Jobs introduces iPhone in 2007

Yes, if your idea is already in an advanced stage and/or being sold, it is still eligible for this contest.

You can submit an idea anytime! The last day, the deadline, to submit your idea for the 2024 Student Innovation Challenge will be April 2nd, 2024. Please check the Challenge Timeline for the dates for the Pitch Round and Award Ceremony.

No, you are free to spend the cash prize money on whatever you want. However, we encourage you to invest in your idea and take it as far as it can go!

Absolutely not! It’s your idea and your idea only. However, BCIT/ARLO can assist you with developing your idea if you are interested.

Please contact Antoinette Jackson in the Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO) at 604-456-1245 or antoinette_jackson@bcit.ca