Innovation Summit 1.0: The True North Youth Powerhouse
Building Essential Skills That Last a Lifetime
At the Innovation Summit 1.0, we believe learning extends far beyond the classroom. One of the most valuable skills participants can develop—regardless of their future career path—is the ability to raise funds and secure sponsorships.
In life, they may need to raise money for many reasons: launching a startup, supporting their employer's initiatives, funding a personal project, or helping a friend or family member in need. No matter the career they choose, this skill will be relevant.
We've given our original fundraising concept a meaningful twist. Participants will work on two fundraising goals:
Fund an internationally recognized cybersecurity certification supported by the Research and Innovation Department at the University of British Columbia.
Backed by UBC Research & Innovation Department
Assigned causes may look like the following examples:
Empowering Girls and Women in Uganda through journalism, photography, and business skills to help women gain employment and economic independence.
Vancouver BC facility providing a home-away-from-home for families whose children are receiving medical care.
To ensure the experience is authentic, we will not allow a family member to simply donate the full amount.
Instead, participants will:
Develop their fundraising concept and strategy.
Define who they are helping and how.
Build a structured pitch to present their idea.
Learn to encapsulate their message and sell their vision.
Justify their project with real-world reasoning and impact.
We will equip participants with the tools they need to succeed:
Campaign Launch
Start fundraising activities
Campaign Close
15 days before arriving in Canada
Fundraising Gala
Final pitch presentation
During the program, after one week of preparation and coaching, participants will present their projects at a fundraising gala.
This will be their opportunity to pitch in front of an audience and see if they can meet—or even exceed—their goals.
We want to be completely transparent about why and how Innovation Summit 1.0 participants will be fundraising, and what happens with the money raised.
The special cost for Innovation Summit 1.0 participants is $300 CAD (regular price approximately $1,000 CAD).
The certification is supported by the Research and Innovation Department at the University of British Columbia.
It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended because:
If they do not raise this amount, they will simply not have access to the certification. This likely means they are not interested in this additional learning opportunity.
Fundraising will be part of a competition within the program, focused on learning how to develop ideas, structure a pitch, and secure real support.
There will be no maximum fundraising limit: if a participant exceeds their goal, the surplus will go entirely to their assigned cause.
A minimum of $50 CAD raised per participant will be required.
Detailed guidelines will be provided on the day the campaign is officially launched.
Each participant will have two objectives:
Cover (if they wish) the cost of the cybersecurity certification.
Support an assigned social cause. Examples include:
Cameras for Girls in Uganda
Teaches journalism, photography, and business skills to girls and women to help them achieve economic independence.
Ronald McDonald House Vancouver
Provides accommodation and support to families with children undergoing medical treatment.
Any extra funds raised beyond the amount needed for the certification will go directly to the assigned cause.
Through this process, they will not only earn their certification and support a cause, but also develop lifelong skills in:
Communication
Persuasion
Creativity
Leadership