Canadore Innovation Challenge FAQ

The challenge is open to all Canadore College students and Alumni. Participants can come from any program or year of study.

You may register here.

If you need further assistance, you can email Deidra Farquhar at Deidra.Farquhar@canadorecollege.ca

No, participation in the Canadore Innovation Challenge is free for all.

Teams will consist of 4 to 6 students/alumni and will be assigned with 2 external members such as industry experts or employers.

No, the event is in-person only, as it involves hands-on activities and direct engagement.

Teams will aim to create solutions in 3 key areas:

• Sustainable Solutions & Green Innovation
• Digital Futures in AI & Smart Technologies
• Health, Wellness & Community Impact

Upon registration, teams will receive a curated set of project proposals and challenge prompts, developed by our academic planning team in consultation with industry experts — all to spark inspiration and guide impactful problem-solving.

Examples by Stream:

Sustainable Solutions & Green Innovation

• Sustainable Communities: Design self-sufficient communities powered by clean energy. Focus on partnerships to boost economic growth and resilience in Northern Ontario.
• Clean Water Access: Innovate low-energy, climate-resilient water purification systems for underserved or Indigenous communities.
• Waste Reduction: Propose circular economy models that minimize landfill use and maximize reuse of local resources.

Digital Futures in AI & Smart Technologies

• Smart Water Monitoring: Develop AI-driven systems to detect leaks, monitor quality, and optimize water use in real time.
• AI for Healthcare: Use machine learning to predict health outcomes, improve diagnosis, or personalize mental health supports.
• Smart Infrastructure: Design connected, adaptive infrastructure for rural towns that improves safety, mobility, and sustainability.
• Cybersecurity for Community Tech: Create accessible cybersecurity tools to protect health and municipal data systems in small communities.

Health, Wellness & Community Impact

• Mental Health Tech: Build tools that support youth mental health, crisis response, or access to therapy in remote areas.
• Elder Care Solutions: Develop technologies or services that support aging-in-place, remote health monitoring, or social inclusion.
• Inclusive Design: Innovate accessible public spaces or technologies that enhance community participation for people with disabilities.
• Clean Water & Public Health: Address waterborne illness and hygiene challenges with practical, community-led clean water systems.

• Smart Supply Retrieval: A “GPS-for-supplies” system that maps clean-utility rooms, cutting the time nurses spend searching for equipment and giving those minutes back to patient care.

Solutions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Innovation: Assesses originality, creativity, and the use of innovative technologies or methods. This carries the most weight.
• Impact and Feasibility: Evaluates the potential effects and practical implementation of the solution.
• Sustainability: Focuses on environmental impact and long-term viability.
• Economic Viability: Looks at budget planning and economic potential.
• Community Engagement: Measures the improvement in residents' quality of life.
• Presentation: Judged on clarity, thoroughness, professionalism, audience engagement, visual elements, and responses to judges.

For detailed evaluation criteria, refer to the rubric here.

Yes, all teams will be required to present their solutions to a panel of judges. The presentation is a key part of the evaluation process and will give teams the opportunity to explain their ideas and demonstrate their impact.

Each team will have 5 minutes to pitch their idea to the panel of judges. Make sure to clearly communicate your ideas within this structured timeframe.

Each team will have 5 minutes to present their idea. Be prepared to answer questions from the judges during the Q&A session. A presentation workshop with more information will be scheduled in January that will help prepare your team for your pitch.

The Canadore Innovation Challenge is scheduled for March 3, 2026, during Winter reading week. A detailed agenda for the event will be released soon.

Participants will have access to:

• Labs and Mentors: Teams will receive support through access to labs and guidance from industry experts serving as mentors.
• Innovation Zones: Dedicated spaces for each challenge area to foster creativity and collaboration.
• Materials: Any other necessary materials for developing and implementing solutions. Teams should promptly communicate their needs to the college to ensure they have all the resources required for success.

You can reach out to the challenge organizers via the following email addresses:

• Deidra Farquhar: deidra.farquhar@canadorecollege.ca
• Maria Parra: maria.parra@canadorecollege.ca 

Feel free to contact any of them for more information or assistance.

Participating in the challenge gives students the chance to showcase their skills, network with industry professionals, and gain valuable experience to enhance their resumes. This experience will help prepare you for a successful career in a stronger, more resilient economy.

Each of the three key challenge areas will have one winning team, with each team receiving a $5,000 prize to split among team members. Additionally, winning teams will receive support after the event to develop full business plan proposals.

All students who participate in the challenge will also receive a $100 stipend.