Two student startup companies fostered by the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) are heading to the Canada’s Business Model Competition, Friday, March 10, in Halifax.

Participation by the online organic meat retailer H&F Foods and the app-powered tour guide service Amis will double Windsor’s representation, says Wen Teoh, EPICentre’s venture start director.

“For the past three years, we only had one student startup competing in each of the years,” she says. “I think more students are aware of this type of competition now, especially since EPICentre hosted its very first RBC EPIC Business Model Canvas Competition in November last year.”

The competition offers a total of $50,000 in prize money judged on the application of lean development principles. Both companies hope that it will provide exposure for their services.

“We want to tell people the benefits of eating organic meat free of antibiotics, hormones or pesticides,” says Adrian Menzi (BComm 2016), founder of H&F Foods. “Of course, I am also looking forward to meeting other like-minded entrepreneurs from all across Canada.”

Amis co-founders Moaaz Elsayed (BASc 2015) and Sanah Malik (BComm 2016) believe that the business model canvas helped them to structure their business.

“It tells us which avenue we should be taking to grow our business,” the two said in a written statement. “We are very excited to be part of the competition and the opportunity to see what’s out there in Halifax.”

EPICentre, the entrepreneurial hub at the University of Windsor, hosts more than 60 programs and activities each year, including two incubator spaces on campus. Visit its website for more information.