Spectrum Summer Startup

This past weekend McMaster’s Spectrum program ran their first ever ‘Summer Startup’ event. The event was a bit like a Startup Weekend in terms of format, with teams working over 36 hours on a startup idea (business pitch and prototype).

The event attracted about 100 highly motivated participants, which is excellent considering that school is out! It was nice to see some representation outside of McMaster too (e.g. Mohawk students and others). The event had $3000+ cash in prizes for best prototype, most viable business and most socially innovative projects.

I got to be a judge at the event and it was an excellent experience (Robyn Larsen of Normative Design, and Andrew Holden of Weever Apps judged as well). The teams were really passionate about their projects and some stayed for 2 hours after the event was over just to keep asking questions. I’ve never seen that happen at one of these sorts of events before.

The pitches were excellent, the ideas, prototypes and plans were interesting, and the energy was inspiring. But the eagerness to obtain feedback, openness to pivoting or changing course, and the interest teams showed in continuing after the competition shows a maturity that was really encouraging.

Check out the winning teams and video coverage of the event below!

Winning teams

E-Dopa, a startup dedicated to a product which will detect Parkinson’s Disease early and in a cost-effective way, was given the Most Socially Innovative award and $1000.

Avaro, a team with a prototype for a new kind of computer cursor, using only a wave of the hand or the flick of a wrist, was given the Best Prototype Award and $1000.

Clear Roots, a startup looking to bring easy and convenient urban farming into our homes and offices, went home with the awards for both Most Viable Business and the People’s Choice award. They walked away with $1250.