McGill University’s Dobson Cup receives $4-million contribution from National Bank
The contribution will support the University’s flagship startup competition and provide additional seed funding for student entrepreneursThe Dobson Cup, McGill University’s flagship startup competition and fertile training ground for students and professors with bold business dreams, has received a significant financial injection on its 10th anniversary in the form of a $4-million contribution from National Bank, one of its long-time supporters.
Remembering Angela Burlton
It is with sadness that the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship announces the passing of Angela Burlton, Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Accounting on July 12, 2018.
Dobson Cup winners score on Dragon’s Den Quebec
2018 McGill Dobson Cup winners, Entr, made an appearance on Dragon’s Den Quebec where they put their negotiating skills to the test.
Through a calm demeanor and thoughtful counteroffering, the duo, comprised of BCom student Marc-Antoine Bonin, was able to clinch a deal that will take their startup to the next level.
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The future of power sports is sustainable
Taiga motor founders tapped into a burgeoning market for cleaner alternatives to snowmobiles at just the right time. The Dobson Cup winner sits down with McGill News to share the latest on their growing popularity and plans for rollout.
On the agenda is extending the snowmobile’s battery life, a product launch for the general public in 2020, and translating their technology to other power sport applications.
Cimpl chairman on his career and motivation
Jeff Speak, Chairman at Cimpl and long-time Dobson Cup judge, reflects on the people and formative moments in his life that led him to pursue a career in entrepreneurship.
In his present role, he is adamant about the importance of listening when making key decisions.
As he says, “You become wiser when you don’t talk. By listening, you can get more data points to help you make your decisions.”
Taiga Motors takes the carbon footprint out of snowmobiling
Winner of the 2016 McGill Dobson Cup, Taiga Motors, is busier than ever these days. As they prepare to release the world's first electric snowmobile in 2019, their zero-emission product is sure to revolutionize the popular winter activity.
Taiga Motors co-founder, Samuel Bruneau is adamant that the tech will soon make it a perfect recreation tool, envisioning trailside chargers for tour operators and at warming huts and cabins.
Lufa Farms brings the garden to your table
A decade ago, McGill Dobson Cup participants Mohamed Hage and Lauren Rathmell set out to change the way that Montrealers get their fresh produce through their innovative venture, Lufa Farms.
Since then, they have grown to a 200-person operation and have attracted the attention of many, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who toured Lufa's newest greenhouse in the Montreal suburb of Anjou.
Presenting the 2018 McGill Dobson Cup Winners
This year’s McGill Dobson Cup finals saw 40 teams from across the University competing for a portion of over $100,000 in seed funding.
As in the past, the startups were competing across four tracks: Social Enterprise, Health Sciences, Small & Medium Enterprise, and Innovation Driven Enterprise, which ensured a wide diversity of ideas.
Taiga motors will soon shake up snowmobile industry
Taiga Motors, founded by McGill Engineering grads and winners of the McGill Dobson Cup, is preparing to launch the very first electric snowmobile — a vehicle that can go from zero to 95 kilometers per hour in three seconds and boasts zero emissions.
The company has already collected a few hundred preorders, with hopes to reach 1,000 by the end of the summer.
Guess who was on Dragon's Den last week?
Chic Marie - 3rd place winner of the McGill Dobson Cup 2015 - was on Dragon's Den last week!
If you want to learn how to negotiate like a boss and strike the perfect balance between conveying your story yet keeping it concise, look no further. Watch how Marie persuades the Dragons to give her what she wants.
Dobson Cup semi-finalist is leading the way in sustainable fashion
For Tessa Battistin, founder of Asset Designs and former Dobson Cup semi-finalist, knowing how your clothes are made is just as important as knowing where your food is coming from.
This belief, coupled with her passion for design, is what prompted her to take her sustainable fashion business to the next level.
Battistin’s garments are made with materials that are 100 per cent fair wage and fair labor abroad, or from materials made in Canada.
Dobson Centre ranking attracts local attention
A recent technology news roundup published by La Presse includes the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship’s ranking by UBI Global as a highlight worth noting among local university start-up programs.
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A sneak peak of world’s first electric snowmobile
Taiga Motors, founded by three McGill Engineering grads and winners of the McGill Dobson Cup, are gearing up to launch the first ever electric snowmobile, the Taiga TS2. They recently invited media to Mont-Tremblant to unveil their product prototype, which did not disappoint.
While Taiga continues to refine their design, the snowmobiles already have two major advantages over competitors: zero-emission and significantly less noise pollution.
Taiga Motors on their founding and their future
In a recent interview, Taiga Motors, founded by three McGill Engineering grads and winners of the McGill Dobson Cup, sits down to talk about what spurred their electric snowmobile idea, its innovative design and the path to commercialization.
Following successful testing this past winter, Taiga is due to unveil the production model of its first electric snowmobile in the next couple of months and plans to begin delivery to customers in 2019.
Presenting the 2018 Dobson Cup finalists
Following four consecutive days of pitches, the McGill Dobson Cup 2018 powered by National Bank has announced the 40 startup teams that are moving on to the finals on March 28, 2018.
Organized along the four tracks of: Health Sciences, Social Enterprise, Small & Medium Enterprise, and Innovation Driven Enterprise, the teams will be competing for $100,000 in seed funding that will be awarded across the tracks.