Start Something Weekend
Presented by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking from March 6-8, 2026.
Start Something Weekend: March 6-8, 2026
Build Your Startup in just 3 days. Join UCalgary’s Next Wave of Founders.
Do you have a business idea or just curious about startups? The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinkings inaugural Start Something Weekend is an immersive, hands-on experience where students from all disciplines come together to turn ideas into real startups in just one weekend.
Over the course of 3 days, you’ll pitch ideas, form teams, build a product or service, and learn directly from experienced founders, mentors, and industry experts. No prior startup experience required—just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn.
The time commitment is straightforward: a Friday evening kickoff, a full day on Saturday, a full day on Sunday commencing with final pitches in the evening. While you’re not required to be present every minute, you are committing to the process, your team, and the experience.
Who should apply
University of Calgary undergraduate or graduate students who are eager to explore entrepreneurial thinking, build future ready skills, gain practical startup experience, and those looking to build their network and meet like-minded students. All faculties and skillsets are welcome to apply.
Applications are open until Feb 22, 2026 at 11:59pm MST.
Important dates
Feb. 27, 2026
Acceptance notifications
A limited number of spots are available. Successful applicants will be notified between February 27 – March 4, 2026.
March 6, 2026
Start Something Weekend
4:00pm – 9:00pm (teams may choose to work past 9pm)
March 7, 2026
Start Something Weekend
8:00am – 8:00pm (teams may choose to work past 8pm)
March 8, 2026
Start Something Weekend
8:00am – 6:30pm
What to expect
- Pitch your ideas or join a team
- Collaborate with students from all across campus
- Learn key startup skills like customer validation, business models, and pitching
- Get real-time feedback and mentorship from entrepreneurs and industry professionals
- Build and present a working concept by the end of the weekend to compete for prizes
Compete for over $15,000 in prizes
Theme: Open Innovation, What's Next in Tech
Start Something Weekend is centered on open innovation and exploring what’s next in technology. This theme is about using technology in new or creative ways to solve problems, improve experiences, or build something that you could scale. What qualifies as a tech idea? If your idea looks like one or more of the examples below, it’s a great fit.
Software, Apps, or Digital Tools
Ideas that involve building an app, website, or digital tool to help people do something better, faster, or more easily.
Tech-Enabled Platforms
Ideas that use technology to connect people, services, or resources.
AI or Automation-Based Ideas
Ideas that use data, artificial intelligence, or automation to improve decision-making or efficiency.
Industry Based Innovations
Ideas that bring technology into different industries to improve how they operate, such as health tech, clean tech, education tools, fintech, engineering or hardware-based concepts.
Why you should apply
- Gain practical startup experience
- Build your network and meet like-minded students
- Learn by doing, not by lectures
- Develop skills that employers and investors care about
- Have fun, take risks, and bring your ideas to life
- Get the chance to compete for prizes
Open to UCalgary undergraduate and graduate students
Meet your mentors for the weekend
Get hands-on support from experienced mentors invested in helping you learn and grow. You’ll validate your ideas with real-world feedback from industry professionals and take meaningful steps toward turning your concept into a startup by the end of the weekend.
Jeff Ryzner, Programs Senior Manager, Hunter Hub
With over 25 years of experience in technology commercialization, Jeff supports entrepreneurs through collaboration, strategy, and innovation. Jeff is a founding partner of three technology startups, he has mentored globally with organizations such as Singularity University, Co.Labs, and Yukonstruct, and has received multiple national mentorship awards.
Paula Berton, Founder & Venture Initiatives Manager, Hunter Hub
Paula Berton is a seasoned researcher and innovator, currently serving as a Research Associate in the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department at the University of Calgary. Paula's academic contributions have resulted in four provisional patents, more than 50 publications, and over 1,300 citations, solidifying her position as a key figure in research, innovation, and mentorship at the intersection of academia and industry.
Jenn Chalamov, Marketing & Generative AI Manager, ParkChamp
Through her company, JennAI, she designs and delivers hype-free generative AI education for students, founders, and executive teams. Her work connects technical capability with human decision-making, helping people understand not just what AI can do, but where (and if!) it belongs.
Frequently asked questions
Looking for more information on Start Something Weekend? Check out our list of frequently asked questions.
Start Something Weekend is an immersive, hands-on startup experience where students from across UCalgary come together to turn ideas into action in just one weekend. Whether you arrive with an idea ready to pitch or are simply curious about entrepreneurship and startup life, this three-day program is designed to inspire, build, and grow bold ideas.
Over the course of the weekend(March 6-8, 2026), participants will pitch ideas (or join a team), collaborate with students from diverse disciplines, build and test a prototype, take part in targeted workshops, validate concepts with real-world feedback, and pitch to a panel of judges.
Applications close on February 22, 2026 at 11:59pm MST.
Apply by filling out the form.
A limited number of spots are available so make sure to apply as soon as possible. Successful applicants will be notified between February 27 – March 4, 2026.
Any UCalgary undergraduate or graduate student who is eager to explore entrepreneurial thinking, build future ready skills, gain practical and real-world startup experience, and those looking to build their network and meet like-minded students. All faculties are welcome.
No! Start Something Weekend is not designed just for coders; it is designed for problem solvers. To turn an idea into a business in 3 days, every team needs a diverse mix of these roles:
- The Builders: People who can write code, manage data, or build a physical prototype.
- The Creatives and Designers: People who focus on user experience, branding, and making the product intuitive and beautiful.
- The Strategists and the Hustlers: People who handle customer validation, business modeling, marketing, and the final pitch.
If you can think critically, work in a team, and are willing to learn on the fly, you have exactly what we’re looking for. Many of the most successful teams are led by "non-technical" founders who excel at identifying the problem and telling a compelling story. Students from all faculties and experience levels are encouraged to participate.
No! Friday night ideas are pitched, and teams naturally form! Your future co-founders will be in the room.
1 full weekend! Be prepared to partake in scheduled programming and team working hours beginning Friday, March 6 at 4:00pm until Sunday, March 8 ending at 6:30pm.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges who will score student submissions against the evaluation criteria.
Applications close on Feb 22 at 11:59pm MST
Ready to Start Something?
Whether you come with an idea or just an eagerness to dive right in, Start Something Weekend is where ideas turn into action at UCalgary.
Still have questions? Contact us at hunterhub@ucalgary.ca.