Illuminate
Illumimate 2024: Shining a light on innovative ideas led by women and gender-diverse students.
Welcome! MCE’s Illuminate is a program to support the innovative and entrepreneurial ideas of Memorial University women and gender-diverse students. The program is a safe space to learn and develop entrepreneurial skills through training and networking, along with an opportunity to potentially pitch your business at a live final event.
It is important to note, you do not need to have a business idea to participate.
The program will start during the third week of September with weekly one-hour sessions and actions for you to venture into if you choose.
We will cover topics such as problem and customer discovery, validating a solution, self-awareness and team.
Illuminate offers:
- Skills development and training to advance your entrepreneurial thinking and business;
- Connection with other women and gender-diverse students and mentors to build your community;
- The pride of knowing your participation is advancing gender diversity in entrepreneurship and in the broader business world!
A final pitch competition held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, including a chance to win a Grand Prize of $5000 [Generously sponsored by TD Canada Trust].
Do you have an interest in learning about entrepreneurship? Please register!
Have a business idea that’s not yet started? Please register!
Working on a business idea, but yet to acquire customers or earn revenue? Please register!
Actively working on a startup in any sector? Please register!
There is no cost to participate in the program and is open to any industry and stage of business.
If you identify as a woman or gender-diverse Memorial student (at any campus) with or without a business idea, please join us and register here: https://tally.so/r/3qOvBg
Illuminate Awards
Illuminate 2024 awards include:
- $5000 Grand Prize [Sponsored by TD Canada Trust]
- $1000 2nd Place Prize [Sponsored by NLOWE]
- $1000 3rd Place Prize [Sponsored by Clearpath Leadership]
- $1000 Social Impact Award [Sponsored by Memorial Centre for Social Enterprise]
- $500 Community Choice Award [Sponsored by Genesis]
- $250 Most Engaged Student Award [Sponsored by Venture Camp]
The Grand Prize winner will also receive a 1 or 2 day professional development course, offered by the Gardiner Centre.
Thank you to our award sponsors:
Thank you to our in-kind sponsors: