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UNB MTME students showcase their startups

Author: UNB Newsroom

Posted on Jul 22, 2020

Category: UNB Fredericton

Students in the UNB Master of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship (MTME) program pitched their start-ups to more than 100 venture capitalists, government officials, angel investors, mentors and supporters on July 16 – all together via Zoom.

The MTME is a rigorous year-long program through the J Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management & Entrepreneurship that equips students with the knowledge, technical experience and grit to manage innovative projects and develop a startup.

Students become part of a cohort of like-minded innovators and are given the opportunity to learn from experts in industry, government and academia.

From the initial development of a single idea, to building their team, prototyping, project finance, branding, business management and everything in between, the tireless effort and knowledge gained from a year of intense work was showcased as students pitched their startups for the last time, finishing the program on a high note.

Although this final event looked a little different this year, the perseverance of the cohort shone through in their impressive ventures and presentations – exemplifying the true spirit of the MTME program.

“It was so great to have a global audience watching and listening to our MTME students pitch their projects that they have been developing for this past year,” says Dominic Blakely, innovation and entrepreneurship strategist TME. “The judges pushed them well beyond their slides and they had no problem responding to incredibly challenging questions.

“We are all extremely proud of the work these students have put in to their ventures and know we will see incredible things in the future from them all.”

Amy Andrews, Gaurav Thakur and David Itoafa of LifeTrack Safety Systems Ltd. took home first place. Second place was tied between Will Bartlett, Logan Carr, Christian Quinn and Tony Daye of Jarvis, and Pascal McCarthy of Parados Cerebral Solutions.

“Sometimes, through challenging times, you come together and become stronger, and that is what we have seen in this cohort. Thank you for coming to UNB and for becoming part of the family,” says Dr. Dhirendra Shukla, the Dr. J Herbert Smith ACOA Chair.

Media contact: Kelsey Pye