As we approach the end of the fiscal year, we’d like to reflect and thank our partner, Experience Ventures, for their support. By combining our efforts, we engaged more than 163 students in experiential learning programs, equipping them with real-world skills and experiences that will set them up for success in our rapidly changing world.

Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, enables post-secondary students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. This past year, Brilliant Catalyst, through the Experience Ventures program, has been a driving force in promoting innovation in the AgriTech and energy sectors, as well as experiential learning opportunities through paid placements and entrepreneurial thinking among Ontario Tech students.

Our ongoing engagement has resulted in a number of programs designed to challenge students, build skills, and equip them with a competitive edge to drive forward solutions that matter. In this blog, we highlight key initiatives from the previous year and look ahead to what comes next.

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Catalyst Challenge: Building Canada’s Future in AgriTech

The Catalyst Challenge was one of the most engaging ideathons of the year. Over 58 post-secondary students from across Ontario took part in this challenge to address the most significant concerns facing the Canadian agriculture sector. Throughout the challenge, students immersed themselves in entrepreneurial thinking and worked collaboratively to develop sustainable solutions that will shape Canada's future in AgriTech. The challenge allowed students to collaborate in groups to generate creative ideas, as well as participate in hands-on workshops and expert-led mentorship to help them grasp contemporary agricultural concerns and refine their concepts to increase the impact of their solutions.

Participants also received key mentorship from industry leaders. During these workshops, students gained real-world knowledge of agricultural innovation, business planning, and the sector's implementation challenges.

The challenge concluded in a semi-final pitch round, after which selected finalists progressed to the final pitch competition, where their ideas were evaluated for innovation, feasibility, and potential effect in Canada's expanding AgriTech scene.

Congratulations to the winning teams:

• Social Impact & Sustainability: EcoLoop (Urooj Khan, Shayaan Kashif, Safwan Sabbir, Zaara Subedar, Quratulain Khan)
• Technical Innovation: Agri Guard (Adam Shahzad, Yaseen Rehman, Zakkariya Rehman, Syed Raed Ali Shah)
• Market Readiness: Smart Stock (Aravind Niranjan., Muhammad Rameez Ali Khan, Ayomide Agboola, Akif Khan, Emmanuel Agbojeyin)

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Energy Innovation Challenge: Engineering the Future of Transportation

The 2025 Innovation Challenge gathered engineering students from Ontario Tech University for a 12-day ideathon to address significant challenges in the railway and transportation industries. The challenge, delivered in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, enabled students to research actionable solutions to real-world problems in railway systems, mobility, and infrastructure innovation.

Throughout the program, 40 students worked in interdisciplinary teams, applying entrepreneurial thinking to hard engineering issues. Participants refined their ideas through structured workshops, mentorship sessions, and iterative development cycles, focusing on technical feasibility, sustainability, and long-term industry significance.

The challenge concluded with a final pitch competition, in which the top five teams presented their solutions to an expert panel of judges consisting of Enbridge Gas, EY-Parthenon, Alstom, and Ontario Power Generation. The conclusion demonstrated not only technical innovation but also analytical thinking and realistic execution strategies.

Congratulations to the winning teams:

• 1st Place: IronPath Insights (Brandon Marimuthu, Jeshurun Constantine, Vishnu Piraliyil)
• 2nd Place: RailGuard (Hammad Mian, Umer Farooqui, Muzzammil Rehman., Taha Yaseen)
• 3rd Place: Rail Vrx (Muhammad Hannan, Rotlhe Kazima, Srirathan Sithamparamoorthy, Umer Bashir)

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Brilliant Work-Integrated Learning (BWIL) 

The Brilliant Work-Integrated Learning (BWIL) program continues to offer students meaningful, short-term, project-based placements that bridge academic learning and real-world innovation. This past year, 57 students participated in the program, developing an entrepreneurial mindset and work-ready skills.

The program offers students a unique opportunity to collaborate with early-stage ventures and developing businesses. Over the course of a semester, students directly contribute to key areas such as product development, market research, strategy, and operations. Throughout the program, each student works closely with the coordinating startup, receiving mentorship, professional development, and hands-on experience.

Brilliant WIL is designed to guarantee that students utilize their technical and academic knowledge while also developing important professional skills, including interpersonal skills, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities. By the end of the placement, participants will have tangible deliverables, strengthened professional connections, and practical experience to help them transition from academic to professional life.

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Brilliant Student-in-Residence Program

The Brilliant Students-in-Residence (BSiR) program complements BWIL by offering students a dynamic opportunity to engage in a range of enterprises throughout the term. Rather than focusing on a single placement, Brilliant SiR participants work on multiple smaller-scale projects, gaining exposure to a variety of industries, challenges, and entrepreneurial settings.

In the past year, 8 students participated in the program, gaining hands-on experience across multiple ventures.

Smaller-scale projects promote adaptation and expand students' awareness of how various businesses operate. Working on various projects lets participants improve their abilities to rapidly analyze requirements, participate strategically, and navigate changing team dynamics.

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Looking Ahead

‍This year, Experience Ventures demonstrated what is possible when innovation meets opportunity. Students tackled real-world issues, placements, and mentorship-driven challenges, offering solutions with tangible outcomes. We are pleased to extend these efforts, provide access to opportunities, and continue to support the next generation of innovators. 

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Want to Get Involved?

Explore current and upcoming opportunities by visiting our Experience Ventures page.

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