Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology

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⠀Transform Your Idea Into a Business⠀

BEST STARTUP EXPERIENCE

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Discover

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Identify

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Understand

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Learn

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Foster

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Develop

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Build

March 7-9 , 2025

Register Now
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Lassonde School of Engineering Logo
Sustainable Development GOALS

An extraordinary learning opportunity

BEST Startup Experience 2025 is an application-based experiential learning opportunity that empowers students to build a business from an idea. Participation is open to all upper year Undergrad, Masters and PhD students from all disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship, working in high tech and making an impact in the world.

The experience begins with you, the student, joining a team and taking on a problem or challenge. You will then find a solution and turn it into a prototype through an iterative design sprint framework, all with the help of mentors dedicated to helping your team build a business plan. Upon completion, your team will present the project with a pitch presentation to judges from various industries.

We encourage you to consider tackling one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SGDs), tackling these challenges is a key objective at the Lassonde School of Engineering as we work to create a better world for all.

By participating in the BEST Startup Experience, you will gain the vital skills needed to succeed in both your career and your own ventures, like launching your own startup or acting as a key leader in an organization. You will also be able to apply the tools, techniques and skills you learn in your personal life. Finally, you will learn how to work with a team to create an impressive project that you can showcase on your resume and portfolio.

Please make sure to highlight your passion and motivation in your application. After the event, you will receive support to turn your concept into a reality. In addition, the top three pitches will receive prize money.

Join us and discover entrepreneurship through this engaging event!

Application deadline is February 26, 2025 11:30PM.

Registration Process

Sign up individually on Eventbrite and pay the $10 fee.

Eventbrite Registration

Who can apply?

Participation is open to all post-secondary students(upper year undergrad, Masters and PhDs) who are interested in entrepreneurship, working in high tech and making an impact in the world. 

Registration Fee

The $10 fee is to ensure student commitment because there are quite a lot of teamwork activities during the event that requires your full commitment so you can create a great project in collaboration with your team.

A few takeaways from BEST Startup Experience participants

Amanullah Asim

(Computer Engineering)

“My biggest takeaway was to understand how important figuring out a real & practical solution is. We as a team spent a lot of time brainstorming. To be exact, three days. Then we started preparing the pitch based on the workshop given by BEST which helped us standout.”

Kirtiranjan Patel

(Computer Science)

“My big takeaway was learning to accept painfully unfinished ideas, and learning to go along with them, finally to see them form into a good concept. I had heard that great ideas start small, but playing a role in it and actually seeing it for myself was a new experience. I also learned the importance of being a good communicator.”

Krishn Motilal

(Mechanical Engineering)

“My biggest takeaway from this experience was learning about what really goes into beginning a start-up, and the true teamwork and collaboration that goes into it in order to make it successful.”

Hannah Ghanie

(Space Engineering)

“I think participating in the BEST experience really humbled me and showed off a lot of creative talent from the other teams who participated. Everyone’s minds are thinking about these amazing ideas from all different backgrounds and perspectives. I think it really encourages me to think outside the box. Additionally, I learned a lot about the basics of revenue/business models, which plays an important role when pitching an idea to someone you would want an investment from.”

Sahitya Varanasi

(Computer Science)

“I learned that I don’t have to be nervous or anxious to present or in general having a team with people i do not know with many ideas. It made me learn to listen to other people’s opinions better and helped me slowly express myself. I had a patient team that helped me get better and out of my comfort zone.”

Diego Alejandro Romero Rincon

(Software Engineering)

“What surprised me the most is how useful the experience was to improve my design skills and how challenging it was to validate all the problems and solutions we identified on the initial stage. My biggest takeaway was how well I collaborated with my team and reassurance that leadership comes naturally to me and positively influences my team without making them uncomfortable or intimidated, but on the contrary, motivated to excel and get out of their comfort zone to enhance learning.”

Fatma Dawood

(Bachelors of Arts in Information Technology)

“I gained knowledge about how to concentrate more on the areas where I individually need to during the event. Example presenting skills: I think I can do better in the future, but everyone presents and displays their work in a different way.”

Nathan Binu Edappilly

(Software Engineering)

“I gained confidence due to the provision of a speech in front of multiple individuals and judge. In addition, I didn’t think this was going to be a difficult task and therefore underestimated the amount of preparation practice and research skills that are required in order to do such a project/presentation. As a result, I have learnt from this experience that these factors are extremely important especially when in real life jobs.”

More BEST Startup Experience Testimonials

What’s the Design Sprint?

What’s in it for you?

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Discover your passion

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Identify problems and develop solutions

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Understand desirability, feasibility and viability concepts

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Learn the tools and techniques to broaden your perspective

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Foster teamwork, leadership, communication and project management skills

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Develop an interesting project for your resume and portfolio

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Build your network with students, mentors and advisors

Group of students sitting at a table

Program Schedule

Fri, Mar 7

5:30 pm – 10:00 pm

check icon Introduction

check icon Opportunity discovery

check icon User need

check icon Root cause analysis

check icon Formulate a “How Might We” statement

Sat morning, Mar 8

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

check icon Solution ideation

check icon Solution selection

check icon Pitch & get feedback from mentor/partner team

check icon Solution Validation/Prototyping

Sat evening, Mar 8

1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

check icon Refine solution

check icon Identify first customers

check icon Barriers to adoption

check icon Desirability, feasibility, and viability

check icon Business case/Pitching

Sun, Mar 9

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

check icon Preliminary pitches and feedback

check icon Final judging

check icon Closing ceremony and prize announcement

Areas of Focus

1. How might we streamline and publicize social services to ensure they are easily accessible and navigable for those in need?
1. How might we leverage technology to connect local farmers with nearby schools and communities to ensure regular access to nutritious foods?

2. HMW ensure better access to affordable food and bolster food security on campus?
Proposed by YorkU Food Services
1. How might we develop strategies to better protect older people and individuals with disabilities during extreme climate events like the “heat dome”?

2. How might we assist students in identifying and addressing mental health issues more proactively?
Proposed by Student Counseling, Health & Well-being (Michael Sa’d)
1. How might we design safer online learning products for children that prioritize their privacy?

2. How might we establish a system for university students to discover career opportunities based on their digital portfolios?
1. How might we enhance inclusivity within university environments and spaces?
1. How might we implement measures in student dormitories to promote responsible water usage and reduce wastage?

2. How might we ensure indigenous communities have consistent access to clean drinking water?
Proposed by Dr. Stephanie Gora and Reece Lima-Thompson, Lassonde School of Engineering
1. How might we transition the campus from non-renewable energy sources to more sustainable alternatives?
1. How might we simplify the process for students to find internships and job opportunities in sustainability and social impact sectors?
1. How might we ensure Canadian extractive companies maintain ethical operations and oversight when operating internationally?
1. How might we design initiatives or tools to foster a more inclusive and diverse university community?

2. How might we enhance physical accessibility for all in-person campus activities and events?
Proposed by Facilities Services / Campus Planning, Design and Construction (Johanna Classon)
1. How might we address the housing shortage influenced by foreign buyers and the rise of short-term rentals?

2. How might we incorporate sustainability considerations in the maintenance and development of university grounds and natural spaces?

3. How might we repurpose or recycle campus-generated waste materials for constructing new spaces?
Proposed by Dr. Liam Butler, Lassonde School of Engineering

4. How might we harness building data to retrofit existing structures into “smart buildings”?
Proposed by YorkU Facility Services (Bradley Parkes and Steven Prince)
1. How might we inspire organizations like KPM Power to repurpose plastics innovatively?
Proposed by KPM Power

2. How might we create systems or platforms where discarded reusable items by students are given a second life?
1. How might we develop a system to educate students about the carbon footprint of their daily activities through real-time data and insights?
1. How might we raise awareness and drive action to protect nearby freshwater bodies from pollution?

2. How might we establish effective methods to monitor and conserve aquatic wildlife and biodiversity on and around university campuses?
Proposed by YorkU Sustainability Office
1. How might we transform the university landscape to prioritize biodiversity and sustainable practices.

Become a Mentor

Mentorship is a key part of this experiential learning event, providing immense value to students as they gain invaluable advice from someone experienced and build their professional networks.

Mentors highlight the design sprint process, facilitate teamwork and guide students through the event.

By becoming a mentor, you will gain valuable experience and build meaningful relationships with other aspiring student entrepreneurs.

Apply as Mentor

Become a Volunteer

Volunteering is a unique opportunity to get involved on campus and give back to your community.

By becoming a volunteer you will get to meet with students from different backgrounds and broaden your network.

Apply as Volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions

BEST Startup Experience - Professor Maxwell, Maedeh handshake with students
Best startup Experience - Professor Maxwell mentoring a student
The event is designed for upper year undergraduate, Masters and PhD students from all disciplines. The BEST Startup Experience is a great experiential learning opportunity that provides a safe space for you to tackle challenges, meet new people, learn new processes and explore your passions and strengths.
You and your team will be required to come up with your own challenge to solve, based on your passions, no challenges given out.
Students are expected to sign up as a team, however if you still need more team members you can let the organizers know on the application form that will be shared after registration.

As you fill out the application, we will ask you to provide some information about yourself, your skills, your passions and a potential challenge that you would like to address. Prior to the event, students will receive their admission to the experience and the next steps they need to complete.
Projects are judged based on the following criteria:
● Innovativeness,
● Desirability,
● Feasibility,
● Viability,
● Presentation quality
The first place: $1500; second place: $1000 and third place: $600.
In addition, the winning teams will be invited to join the BEST Lab and access various resources such as mentorship, coaching and connections to continue building their projects.
For information and challenges in last year’s event:

BEST STARTUP EXPERIENCE 2022
BEST STARTUP EXPERIENCE 2021
BEST STARTUP EXPERIENCE 2019

Yes, the event will be held fully in person at Bergeron Building. Participants are expected to attend all activities in person as outlined in the program schedule on our webpage.
This fee will be fully refunded upon completing the deliverables and attending all three days. Any refund requests have to be submitted before February 26th at 11:59PM. Refund requests past that deadline will not be accommodated.

Our Sponsors

kpm power logo
Summer Fresh logo

This Year’s Partners

York University Logo
lassonde logo
Schulich School of Business logo
bergeron centre night time

Have questions? We’ve got answers!

Email Us