Ignite your venture. Build your network. Pitch your impact.
The Sask Polytech Startup Challenge is a mentorship and pitch competition designed
to help early-stage entrepreneurs from across Saskatchewan accelerate their business
or social enterprise. It also gives Sask Polytech students the tools and guidance
to turn great ideas into viable ventures.
Dates
January - April 2026
Location
Bi-weekly virtual sessions and pitch event at Town N Country Mall in Moose Jaw.
Key details for participants
For 10 weeks, participants will join bi-weekly sessions run by Sask Polytech’s Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. They’ll meet with mentors from different industries and improve their pitch ideas. The Sask Polytech Startup Challenge ends with a final showcase and pitch event in Moose Jaw in mid-April.
Eligibility
The Sask Polytech Startup Challenge features two entry streams:
- Early-stage venture stream: Entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan operating early-stage businesses or social enterprises are eligible to apply.
- Student stream: Sask Polytech students with new venture ideas to develop their business beyond the concept stage.
Mentorship and learning sessions
From late January through March, selected participants will join a two-month mentorship
program featuring bi-weekly virtual sessions with the full cohort.
Each participant will be paired with an industry mentor, offering personalized guidance, accountability and support throughout the program.
The experience is designed to help entrepreneurs sharpen their ideas, strengthen their business models and prepare for the final pitch event.
Each participant will be paired with an industry mentor, offering personalized guidance, accountability and support throughout the program.
The experience is designed to help entrepreneurs sharpen their ideas, strengthen their business models and prepare for the final pitch event.
Final pitch event and prizes
The Sask Polytech Startup Challenge final pitch event will take place in mid-April
at the Town N Country Mall in Moose Jaw.
Finalists will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges made up of industry leaders and community partners.
Early-stage venture stream prizes
Finalists will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges made up of industry leaders and community partners.
Early-stage venture stream prizes
- First place: $10,000
- Second place: $5,000
- Third place: $2,500
- First place: $2,000
- Second place: $1,000
- Third place: $500
Terms and conditions
By accessing the website and registering for the Sask Polytech Startup Challenge (the
“Challenge”), utilizing any of the services and/or participating in the Challenge,
you signify that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these General
Terms and Conditions (GTC), including our privacy policy and code of conduct, which
is incorporated herein for reference.
1. General
1.1 These GTC govern participation in the Challenge and use of the provided Infrastructure (as defined below).
1.2 The Challenge is organized by the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre at Saskatchewan Polytechnic (“Sask Polytech”) and is supported by partners, including the Town & Country Mall, and Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce.
2. Participation Conditions
It is a requirement that each participant in the Challenge (“Participants”):
3.1 During the Challenge, Participants have access to infrastructure from Sask Polytech and third-party providers (“Infrastructure”), each of whom have their own terms and conditions and privacy policies. Participants agree to comply with the terms and conditions of Sask Polytech and those of third-party providers, together with these GTCs.
3.2 Sask Polytech assumes no liability for the availability and functionality of the provided Infrastructure.
4. Ownership and Intellectual Property
4.1 Projects developed during the Challenge, including intellectual property rights, remain the property of the Participants.
4.2 By engaging in the Challenge, Participants grant Sask Polytech the right to showcase their projects for promotional and educational purposes of Sask Polytech.
4.3 Participants acknowledge that Sask Polytech is not able to and does not provide protection of the Participant’s intellectual property rights. Participants should take such steps as they feel are necessary to protect their ideas and project details and Participants acknowledge that such steps are solely their responsibility.
5. Privacy Policy
5.1 Any personal information collected by Sask Polytech from Participants will only be used by Sask Polytech’s Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (BIEC) for the conduct and organization of the Challenge and will not be disclosed for any other purpose.
5.2 Sask Polytech reserves the right to take photos and videos during the Challenge. Photos and videos may be used by Sask Polytech and third-party sponsors for marketing and communications purposes related to the event and to promote future events of the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (BIEC). By participating, Participants grant authority to Sask Polytech to use their images and likenesses for such purposes.
6. Code of conduct
6.1 Participants are expected to maintain professional and respectful behavior throughout the Challenge and to comply with the Sask Polytech policies relating to student and public conduct.
6.2 Any form of misconduct or plagiarism will result in disqualification of the participant(s) involved, as determined by Sask Polytech.
6.3 Decisions of the Sask Polytech organizing committee and the Challenge judges are final.
7. Logistics
7.1 Participants must provide their own computing, electronic and other devices and tools unless otherwise arranged by the organizers.
7.2 Sask Polytech is not responsible for any technical failures or loss of personal property during the Challenge.
8. Liability
8.1 Sask Polytech assumes no liability for damages or losses arising from the use of the provided Infrastructure or participation in the Challenge.
8.2 The participants agree that Sask Polytech, Challenge collaborators, third-party providers, owners of the Challenge venue or Infrastructure, volunteers, and any other contributors to the event, are not liable for damages or losses arising from participation in the Challenge.
9. Prizes
9.1 Cash prizes will be awarded to participants who are declared winners, based on the Challenge evaluation criteria as determined by the program judges. The decision of the judges will be final.
9.2 By accepting the cash prize, winners agree to allow Sask Polytech and third-party sponsors to use their name, photo, and competition details for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
10. Final Provisions
10.1 Should individual provisions of these GTCs be determined to be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.
10.2 These GTCs are governed by the applicable laws of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan.
1. General
1.1 These GTC govern participation in the Challenge and use of the provided Infrastructure (as defined below).
1.2 The Challenge is organized by the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre at Saskatchewan Polytechnic (“Sask Polytech”) and is supported by partners, including the Town & Country Mall, and Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce.
2. Participation Conditions
It is a requirement that each participant in the Challenge (“Participants”):
- Must be either a Sask Polytech student with a new business or social enterprise idea OR the founder of a registered Saskatchewan-based early-stage company.
- Must complete an application form and be selected to participate.
- Must be willing to participate in scheduled virtual workshop sessions during the course of the Challenge.
- Must be willing to attend the final pitch event in-person in Moose Jaw in mid-April
- Controlled substances
- Gambling
- Adult entertainment
- Speculative or predatory financial services
3.1 During the Challenge, Participants have access to infrastructure from Sask Polytech and third-party providers (“Infrastructure”), each of whom have their own terms and conditions and privacy policies. Participants agree to comply with the terms and conditions of Sask Polytech and those of third-party providers, together with these GTCs.
3.2 Sask Polytech assumes no liability for the availability and functionality of the provided Infrastructure.
4. Ownership and Intellectual Property
4.1 Projects developed during the Challenge, including intellectual property rights, remain the property of the Participants.
4.2 By engaging in the Challenge, Participants grant Sask Polytech the right to showcase their projects for promotional and educational purposes of Sask Polytech.
4.3 Participants acknowledge that Sask Polytech is not able to and does not provide protection of the Participant’s intellectual property rights. Participants should take such steps as they feel are necessary to protect their ideas and project details and Participants acknowledge that such steps are solely their responsibility.
5. Privacy Policy
5.1 Any personal information collected by Sask Polytech from Participants will only be used by Sask Polytech’s Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (BIEC) for the conduct and organization of the Challenge and will not be disclosed for any other purpose.
5.2 Sask Polytech reserves the right to take photos and videos during the Challenge. Photos and videos may be used by Sask Polytech and third-party sponsors for marketing and communications purposes related to the event and to promote future events of the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (BIEC). By participating, Participants grant authority to Sask Polytech to use their images and likenesses for such purposes.
6. Code of conduct
6.1 Participants are expected to maintain professional and respectful behavior throughout the Challenge and to comply with the Sask Polytech policies relating to student and public conduct.
6.2 Any form of misconduct or plagiarism will result in disqualification of the participant(s) involved, as determined by Sask Polytech.
6.3 Decisions of the Sask Polytech organizing committee and the Challenge judges are final.
7. Logistics
7.1 Participants must provide their own computing, electronic and other devices and tools unless otherwise arranged by the organizers.
7.2 Sask Polytech is not responsible for any technical failures or loss of personal property during the Challenge.
8. Liability
8.1 Sask Polytech assumes no liability for damages or losses arising from the use of the provided Infrastructure or participation in the Challenge.
8.2 The participants agree that Sask Polytech, Challenge collaborators, third-party providers, owners of the Challenge venue or Infrastructure, volunteers, and any other contributors to the event, are not liable for damages or losses arising from participation in the Challenge.
9. Prizes
9.1 Cash prizes will be awarded to participants who are declared winners, based on the Challenge evaluation criteria as determined by the program judges. The decision of the judges will be final.
9.2 By accepting the cash prize, winners agree to allow Sask Polytech and third-party sponsors to use their name, photo, and competition details for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
10. Final Provisions
10.1 Should individual provisions of these GTCs be determined to be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.
10.2 These GTCs are governed by the applicable laws of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan.
Registration
Applications are open December 5, 2025 - January 12, 2026.
Sponsors
Thank you to our partners and sponsors who are helping fuel entrepreneurship across Saskatchewan.
Interested in becoming a sponsor or mentor? Contact us.
Contact us
Contact the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre at biec@saskpolytech.ca if you have any questions.
Notification of photography:
Photographs, recordings, and/or footage may be taken at these events for advertising, promotional and other purposes of Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Your attendance constitutes your consent to the use of your likeness. Saskatchewan Polytechnic retains all ownership and copyright in any and all photographs, recordings or footage.
If you do not wish to have your photograph taken, please advise the onsite photographer.
