MCE Decade of Impact Awards

Celebrating 10 years of the Mel Woodward Cup and a decade of student entrepreneurs.

The Mel Woodward Cup is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026!

In recognition of this proud milestone, we proudly present the MCE Decade of Impact Awards at the 10th annual Mel Woodward Cup on March 18. These awards honour student entrepreneurs and alumni founders whose entrepreneurial journey began at MCE, and who went on to create meaningful economic, social and industry impact around the globe. 

By celebrating the achievements of Memorial University student entrepreneurs and alumni, we’re recognizing MCE's lasting impact during its first 10 years – a decade marked by innovation, venture creation and strengthening the startup ecosystem in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Eligibility criteria

  1. The MCE Decade of Impact Awards are open to current students and alumni of MCE. To be eligible, nominees must:
    Be a current student or alumnus/alumna of MCE;
    Be a founder of the venture; and
    Be the individual primarily responsible for the business’s operations, decision-making, and growth.
  2. Founding teams are eligible. 
  3. Eligible applicants may apply for more than one award category.

 

Award categories

Founder in Motion
Trailblazer award
MCE Journey Award: A Decade in the Making

Founders in Motion Award 

Recognizing ventures that moved decisively from idea to influence.

The Founders in Motion Award recognizes an MCE-supported venture that has demonstrated exceptional momentum - turning a strong vision into measurable progress through execution, growth, and meaningful influence within its market or community. 

In recognition of MCE’s 10th anniversary, this award celebrates a founder(s) whose journey best reflects the Centre’s mission to turn early ambition into real-world progress. 

Trailblazer Award

Recognizing women and gender-diverse founders shaping ventures, markets, and future founders.

This award recognizes a woman or gender-diverse founder who demonstrates entrepreneurial leadership, delivers measurable venture progress, and contributes to a more inclusive and inspiring entrepreneurial ecosystem through their actions and example. 

This award recognizes demonstrated leadership and impact, not perfection or scale. Nominees may be at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. 

MCE Journey Award: A Decade in the Making 

This award recognizes a founder whose entrepreneurial journey over the past decade best reflects the growth, resilience, learning, and community engagement that MCE exists to support. The founder may have started one or multiple companies. 

Judging Criteria for each Category

 

Founders in Motion Award

Trailblazer award

MCE Journey Award: A Decade in the Making

1.Demonstrated Progress & Outcomes (20 points) 

Clear evidence of forward movement since inception, such as: 

  • Customer adoption or user growth 
  • Revenue or funding milestones 
  • Product validation, pilots, or partnerships 
  • Tangible market or community uptake 
  • Founder’s ability to make decisions, prioritize, and execute 
  • Evidence of learning, iteration, and resilience 
  • Leadership shown in navigating complexity or uncertainty 
  • Credibility of the venture’s next phase 
  • Ability to grow the model, not just the idea 
  • Clarity around where the business is going and how 
  • Distinct approach, solution, or insight 
  • Competitive differentiation within the market 
  • Evidence the venture is doing something meaningfully new or better 
  • Action-Oriented Mindset 
  • Coachability and Growth 
  • Contribution to Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 

2. Execution & Founder Leadership (15 points) 

 

3. Scalability & Future Trajectory (15 points) 

 

4. Innovation & Differentiation (10 points) 

 

5. Alignment with MCE Founder Ethos (10 points) 

 

1. Entrepreneurial Leadership & Resilience (15 points) 

Demonstrated ability to lead through uncertainty, including: 

  • Vision and strategic clarity 
  • Resilience in the face of challenges 
  • Integrity, decision-making, and leadership maturity 

 

2. Venture Progress & Business Impact (15 points) 

Evidence of meaningful traction, such as: 

  • Revenue, customers, users, or funding milestones 
  • Product or service validation 
  • Demonstrated market demand or adoption 
    (Keeps it outcomes-based, not scale-biased.) 

3. Innovation & Problem-Solving (10 points) 

  • Creativity in addressing a real market or societal problem
  • Effectiveness and relevance of the solution 
  • Differentiation within the venture’s sector

 

4. Inspiration & Inclusive Leadership (10 points) 

  • Actions that support or advance inclusive entrepreneurship 
  • Role-model potential for future women and gender-diverse founders 
  • Willingness to engage, mentor, or contribute beyond one’s own venture 
    (Focuses on behavior and leadership—not identity alone.) 

5. Alignment with MCE Founder Ethos (10 points) 

  • Action-oriented execution 
  • Coachability and founder growth 
  • Community engagement and ecosystem contribution 

 

1. Entrepreneurial Journey & Resilience (15 points) 

Demonstrated perseverance and adaptability over time, including: 

  • Opportunity identification and evolution 
  • Challenges faced and overcome 
  • Sustained commitment to entrepreneurship 

 

2. Venture Progress & Achievements (15 points) 

Evidence of meaningful progress across the journey, such as: 

  • Revenue, customers, or market traction 
  • Funding, partnerships, or recognitions 
  • Milestones that reflect forward momentum 

(Progress over time—not just current scale.) 

3. Transformation & Founder Growth (10 points) 

  • Personal and professional growth as a founder 
  • Learning through setbacks, pivots, or reinvention 
  • Increased leadership capability or strategic maturity 

 

4. Connection to MCE & Giving Back (10 points) 

  • Ongoing engagement with MCE programs, events, or community 
  • Contributions to peer founders, students, or ecosystem initiatives 
  • Willingness to share experience, insight, or mentorship 

 

5. Alignment with MCE Founder Ethos (10 points) 

Clear reflection of the behaviours and values MCE aims to cultivate, including: 

  • Action-oriented execution and persistence 
  • Coachability and continuous learning 
  • Community-minded leadership and collaboration 

 

 

 

Selection Process

  • An open call for nominees allows students, faculty, and community members to nominate a candidate. We’ll also have the ability for student founders and alumni entrepreneurs to nominate themselves and submit an application.
  • Once nominations close, MCE staff will reach out to nominated individuals to complete an application.
  • Applications are reviewed independently by a panel of judges, based on predefined criteria specific to each award.
  • Winners are selected based on the highest overall score combining all of the judges’ evaluations.
  • The recipient must attend the Mel Woodward Cup Finals 2026 and the 10th Anniversary Reunion to receive their award. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 18, at 4:30 p.m. at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill Campus, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nominate a Candidate

Nominate any eligible individual by clicking here to submit for any award

Deadline: February 16, 2026.

Nominate Here.

Applications for Each Award

Whether you are self-nominating or submitting details after being contacted by MCE, please use the links below to provide your information and share your venture details.

Apply by clicking on the award category below. We look forward to celebrating your achievements and seeing you take the stage as a winner!