This year’s Ramp Up Weekend: Fresh Ideas was an exciting event that had almost 50 competitors take an idea and transform it into a business in 55 hours.

Nine teams made up of diverse age groups, anywhere from high school, university and college students, as well as adults from various backgrounds, put their minds together to come out with some brilliant businesses that will be moving forward beyond the weekend.

The full weekend took place in The Commons at Maples Met School where teams set up shop for the weekend to drill down their ideas. The new location provided a perfect venue for teams to present their final pitches to the panel of judges during the Sunday Pitch Finale in front of an audience of 125 spectators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The teams worked tirelessly to perfect their business plans and presentations ahead of the Sunday Pitch Finale which featured judges Eric Bjornson, Lori Wheeler and Jeff Ryzner. The Sunday Pitch Finale was hosted by improv comedy duo Stephen Sim & Caity Curtis bringing humour to the event and helping keep the evening on track with time.

The winning business ideas from Ramp Up Weekend: Fresh Ideas include a variety of services to help teams move forward with their ideas past the weekend.

1st Place Winner ($6500 prize): Cellar2Sellar, allows you to photograph items in your home that you’re looking to sell and makes a Kijiji/sale page to help you get rid of your junk. They use artificial intelligence to determine what the item is and how to price it appropriately.

Clean Tech Winner ($6500 prize): Hot Bunz, will let you heat your car seats before getting in without having to start your car and pollute the air, all controlled through your mobile phone.

2nd Place Winner ($2500 prize): Task Share is an app that lets you list the tasks you don’t want to do and allows others to bid on a cost they would do it for.

Fan Favourite Winner ($500 prize): STEAM Kidz is a STEM-based learning storefront/activity centre. Combining hands-on, practical learning experiences in a safe, monitored and guided environment designed to stimulate interest in the fields of science and technology.

The teams worked tirelessly to perfect their business plans and presentations ahead of the Sunday Pitch Finale which featured judges Eric Bjornson, Lori Wheeler and Jeff Ryzner. The Finale was hosted by improv comedy duo Stephen Sim & Caity Curtis bringing humour to the event and helping keep the evening on track with time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ramp Up Weekend: Fresh Ideas was a success due to a community effort from our sponsors, the planning committee, mentors and volunteers who devoted their time during the weekend to assist teams as they work out their plans. A huge thanks to the community for supporting Ramp Up Weekend: Fresh Ideas.