Durham Ideas Den 2013 to host live pitch on Thursday, March 28

Oshawa, Ont.– Durham College, in conjunction with the Community Innovation Lab (ilab), will host the final live pitch for Durham Ideas Den, sponsored in part by the Ministry of Economic Development and Employment, on Thursday March 28 when six teams of students compete for the chance to win more than $14,000 in awards along with mentorship opportunities with the ilab.

The competition, which began in December 2012, has seen teams of students work together to generate ideas for solutions to complex community problems based on five key themes including:

  • Re-imagining engagement of our youth.
  • Re-imagining enhanced transportation systems and alternatives.
  • Re-imagining poverty.
  • Re-imagining the image of our region.
  • Re-imagining climate change.

More than 100 submissions were received with 25 teams shortlisted as semi-finalists followed by the selection of the final six teams. Each team is responsible for articulating how their proposed social venture will impact local communities and contribute to sustainable solutions. The winning team will receive $5,000 toward the incubation of their ventures at the ilab in the summer of 2013. In addition, the second- and third- place teams will receive $3,500 and $2,500 respectively toward the incubation of their ventures and the three remaining teams will receive $1000 towards further iteration and development of their ideas in collaboration with a mentoring team of coaches, advisors and social innovators.

In addition to the emphasis on the application of entrepreneurial tools to solve community problems and bring student ideas to life, the competition is designed to open up new and exciting possibilities in skills development by providing students with opportunities to imagine innovative projects while boosting their creativity outside of the classroom.

Who:

  • Durham Ideas Den 2013 finalists;
  • Monte Kwinter, parliamentary assistant to the minister of Economic Development Trade and Employment;
  • Don Lovisa,president, Durham College;
  • Sanjay Surendran, student representative, Durham College Board of Governors;
  • Durham College faculty, staff and students;
  • Lon Appleby, professor, Durham College; and
  • Pramilla Ramdahani, executive director, ilab.

When:
March 28 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.  

Where:
Durham College Oshawa campus
Student Services building, Room SSB 116
200 Simcoe Street North

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street North and park in the Founders 1 or 2 parking lot.

For more information contact:
Allison Rosnak/Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333 or ext. 2197
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca/michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca