Your ideas. Windsor’s future.
The University of Windsor and the City of Windsor are bringing students together to develop practical solutions to real municipal challenges through the Windsor Innovation Challenge. With support from Libro Credit Union, OVIN and WEtech Alliance, the program connects student ideas with opportunities for community impact.
Over four months, students work in teams across disciplines, bringing different skills and perspectives to challenges that matter to Windsor-Essex. Through workshops, mentorship and prototyping support, participants explore possibilities, test ideas and build solutions with community needs at their core.
The program culminates in a final pitch competition, where finalist teams present their solutions to City officials and community stakeholders.
Who can apply
The Windsor Innovation Challenge is open to University of Windsor and St. Clair College students from all disciplines who are motivated to solve real community challenges and interested in building a venture around their solution.
We’re looking for students who are ready to commit the time, effort and focus needed to move an idea forward. Over the four-month program, participants are expected to take part in workshops and mentorship, actively develop and test their solutions, and make meaningful progress between sessions.
You don’t need to have all the answers when you apply. You do need a willingness to take initiative, act on feedback, work through challenges and follow through on commitments. This is an opportunity for students who are serious about building something and ready to put in the work.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for motivated students who want to build a venture, take their ideas beyond the classroom and commit to developing a practical solution. You should be ready to learn, act on feedback and put in consistent work throughout the program.
Applications from multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged and will receive greater consideration during selection. Bring together students with complementary skills and perspectives and submit one application as a team.
Still looking for teammates? Our upcoming networking events and mixers are an opportunity to meet students from other faculties, explore shared interests and build your team. Individual applications are also welcome.
What you’ll gain
Build your skills, grow your network and take meaningful steps toward launching a venture. Through the Windsor Innovation Challenge, you’ll gain:
- A real challenge to solve: Develop a practical solution to a municipal problem provided by the City of Windsor, with the potential to make a difference in your community.
- Experience building a venture: Explore customer needs, test your assumptions and develop a business model that can support your solution beyond the Challenge.
- Hands-on training and prototyping support: Build skills in civic innovation, design thinking, prototyping and intellectual property as you develop, test and refine your solution.
- Practical tools and resources: Access an entrepreneurship toolkit with templates and resources to guide your progress.
- Guidance from mentors and advisors: Receive feedback, challenge your thinking and get support navigating your next steps.
- Connections across campuses and disciplines: Collaborate with students who bring different skills and perspectives and build relationships that can extend beyond the program.
Funding
Developing a practical solution takes resources. Prototyping funding is planned to help teams develop, test and refine promising ideas throughout the Challenge.
Stay tuned for details on available funding and eligible expenses.
Key Dates
- Applications open: Monday, October 26, 2026
- Applications close: Monday, November 30, 2026
- Program kick-off reception: Friday, January 29, 2027
- Program concludes: Friday, May 28, 2027
Application
Application information will be available Monday, October 26, 2026.
Program Partners
Presented by the University of Windsor in partnership with the City of Windsor.
With support from Libro Credit Union, OVIN and WEtech Alliance.
Key Contact: For program-related inquiries, please contact Sydney.Thompson@uwindsor.ca.