A tool that transcribes speech to text in real time took top honours in the last weekend’s RBC EPIC Business Model Canvas Competition.

Computer science student Selina Gabriele and her AidaNote partner Stevan Ljuljdurovic took home the grand prize of $10,000. They have qualified for Canada’s Business Model Competition in Halifax and six months of dedicated desk space at EPICentre.

In addition, the team won:

• the Postmedia People’s Choice Award, worth $2,000 in advertising in Postmedia outlets; and
• $750 cash for the KPMG Financial Competence award.

AidaNote is intended to support students with disabilities by producing transcripts of class lectures and discussion. The team had participated in the EPIC Founders program.

The Business Model Canvas Competition is aimed at helping new ventures develop the right business model. Western University students Megan MacKay and Andre Margo won a $2,500 second-place prize for RollUp Solutions, which refurbishes and resells mobility devices.