Pitch your big idea for the 2025 Mayor’s Innovation Challenge

Do you know a student with a big idea to make Kingston a better place? Encourage them to apply for the 2025 Mayor’s Innovation Challenge!

In partnership with Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College and Royal Military College, the Mayor's Innovation Challenge provides a unique opportunity for current or recently graduated post-secondary students to apply their knowledge to real-world issues and help shape the future of Kingston.

With a new prize structure to the program this year, the winning teams will have an opportunity to gain valuable experience through the Summer Company program and a $10,000 prize to advance their idea, or a chance to turn their idea into a business venture with admission to the Queen’s Founders and Innovators Initiative (QFII) program and the opportunity to unlock up to $4,000 in seed funding, along with a chance to compete in their pitch competition with a prize pool of up to $80, 000.

“I’m excited to start 2025 by launching applications for the eight annual Mayor’s Innovation Challenge,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “Every year, this competition sparks fresh, impactful ideas from Kingston’s post-secondary students. I’m excited to see how this year’s applicants will tackle our community’s challenges with innovative solutions and explore new ways to make Kingston an even better place to live”.

Students are invited to develop a two-to-three-minute video proposal to present an innovative project that enhances the quality of life of Kingston residents or develops new ways to enhance the delivery of municipal services.

Teams with proposals that are shortlisted will be invited to present their ideas at the Pitch Competition on March 14 at City Hall to a panel of leaders with expertise in municipal government, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Key dates

• Interested participants can register for one of the following workshops:
  • Thursday, Jan. 23 at Mitchell Hall Event Commons, Queen’s University from 5-7 p.m. 
  • Thursday, Jan. 30 at Innovation Hub, St. Lawrence College from 3-5 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 23: Deadline for proposals at 11:59 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 25: Shortlist invited to student pitch competition.
• Friday, March 14: Student pitch competition at City Hall.

Don’t miss your chance to help shape the future of Kingston—apply now and turn your bright idea into reality! Learn more about the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge at CityofKingston.ca/MIC or by emailing mic@CityofKingston.ca.