APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Apply to pitch at the Illuminate 2024 Live Finals for a chance to win $5000 plus other amazing prizes! 

We recommend starting the application form, but taking time with each question before fully submitting it. MCE start up coaches can help advise on any area of your business if you're unsure of a topic or how to best proceed. 
You can also still learn from the Illuminate sessions over the next few weeks and then submit your final application before noon (12:00p.m.) on Thursday, October 17, 2024. [Apply here: https://tally.so/r/wADE4D ]

What is Illuminate 2024?
An initiative to shine a light on innovative ideas led by women and gender-diverse students.

MCE’s Illuminate is a program and pitch competition to support the innovative and entrepreneurial ideas of Memorial University women and gender-diverse students. The program is a safe space to learn and develop entrepreneurial skills through training and networking, along with an opportunity to potentially pitch your business at a live final event.

It is important to note, you do not need to have a business idea to participate.

The program will start during the third week of September with weekly one-hour sessions and actions for you to venture into if you choose. We will cover topics such as problem and customer discovery, validating a solution, self-awareness and team.

Illuminate offers:

• Skills development and training to advance your entrepreneurial thinking and business;
• Connection with other women and gender-diverse students and mentors to build your community;
• The pride of knowing your participation is advancing gender diversity in entrepreneurship and in the broader business world! 

A final pitch competition held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, including a chance to win a Grand Prize of $5000 [Generously sponsored by TD Canada Trust].

Do you have an interest in learning about entrepreneurship? Please register!
Have a business idea that’s not yet started?  Please register!
Working on a business idea, but yet to acquire customers or earn revenue?  Please register!
Actively working on a startup in any sector?  Please register!

There is no cost to participate in the program and is open to any industry and stage of business. 

If you identify as a woman or gender-diverse Memorial student (at any campus) with or without a business idea, please join us and register here: https://tally.so/r/3qOvBg

Illuminate Awards

Illuminate 2024 awards include: 

• $5000 Grand Prize  [Sponsored by TD Canada Trust]
  
• $1000 2nd Place Prize  [Sponsored by NLOWE]
• $1000 3rd Place Prize  [Sponsored by Clearpath Leadership]
• $1000 Social Impact Award  [Sponsored by Memorial Centre for Social Enterprise]
• $500 Community Choice Award  [Sponsored by Genesis]
• $250 Most Engaged Student Award  [Sponsored by Venture Camp]
  

The Grand Prize winner will also receive a 1 or 2 day professional development course, offered by the Gardiner Centre. 

Thank you to our award sponsors: 

Thank you to our in-kind sponsors: