Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Deadline
- 1/1/2027
In short
The McGill Dobson Bootcamp & Cup, powered by National Bank, is a program for McGill-affiliated teams with an MVP/prototype to refine their startup, culminating in a pitch competition across four streams for over $200,000 in funding.
McGill Dobson Cup
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 1/1/2027155 days left
Over $200,000
Total funding available
4
Competition streams
Hybrid
Program format
Weekly workshops & mentorship
Program support
Industry-agnostic
Focus
Overview
The Dobson Bootcamp & Cup is an entrepreneurship program designed to support startups that are iterating their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or prototype and are moving towards launching their venture. Through weekly workshops and personalized mentorship, participants will focus on establishing strong product/market fit and developing a robust go-to-market strategy. The program is industry-agnostic and supports ventures across health sciences, technology, environment, and social impact. The bootcamp provides key learnings in creating and articulating market offering value, crafting marketing strategies for customer acquisition, developing sustainable financial models, understanding business structures for incorporation, and delivering effective pitch presentations. Sessions are held in a hybrid format, offering in-person attendance at the Dobson Centre with a virtual option to accommodate a global network. The program culminates in the Dobson Cup Competition, where participating teams pitch their startups. Finalists across all four tracks compete for a total of over $200,000 in funding. This competition provides a significant networking experience with world-class entrepreneurs and mentors, extending beyond just a pitch session.
What to build
Participants must iterate their existing MVP/prototype, develop a strong product/market fit, and create a go-to-market strategy. This culminates in crafting and delivering an effective pitch presentation for their startup across one of four streams: health sciences, technology, environment, or social impact.
Prizes
National Bank Awards - 1st Place
Four (4) prizes across all four tracks.
$20,000
National Bank Awards - 2nd Place
Four (4) prizes across all four tracks.
$12,000
National Bank Awards - 3rd Place
Four (4) prizes across all four tracks.
$8,000
Murdoch Family Initiative Award
For an undergraduate student in Desautels Faculty of Management demonstrating entrepreneurial talent and initiative, involved in an entrepreneurial venture. Preference for U2 or U3 students, selected via the Dobson Cup Competition.
$9,000
The Steven Pal Family Award
For an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the Desautels Faculty of Management Dobson Cup Competition, demonstrating entrepreneurial talent and initiative, involved in an entrepreneurial venture.
$5,000
Ferrari and Cuggy Families Prize for Breakthrough Founders
For one team demonstrating entrepreneurial talent and initiative from Desautels Faculty of Management Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship programs.
$10,000
Vitruvius MedTech Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial talent advancing medical technologies, digital health, and therapeutic solutions. Awarded to a team in the health sciences stream of the Dobson Bootcamp & Cup.
$10,000
The McGill Engine Prize
Supports a technologically based venture. At least one team member must be a current full-time student or professor in McGill’s Faculty of Engineering. Awarded if more than one eligible team makes the final round and rates above adequate in their final pitch and venture evaluation.
$2,500
Avmor Prize for Social Responsibility
For an outstanding undergraduate student, or group of students, focusing efforts on social responsibility. Awarded to winning team(s) composed of students of the Dobson Cup Competition or similar McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship initiatives.
$2,000
Key dates
- BootcampJanuary 28 – March 25, 2026 (Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Cup Competition Semi-finalsApril 7 - 9, 2026
- Cup Competition Finals and awards ceremonyMay 5, 2026
Eligibility
The program welcomes teams with at least one McGill-affiliated co-founder (e.g., student, faculty, staff, or alumni graduated within the last 10 years). Participants should be multi-disciplinary professionals (including learners or graduates) working on a prototype and/or have a functional business, iterating a business plan, or preparing to launch/incorporate their startup. Teams should ideally include one technical co-founder capable of building a business upon a significantly or radically disruptive technology, science, or idea. All participants must commit to attending all workshops and executing the required project work to maintain their participation.
How to enter
- Join the waitlist (link provided on page).
- Participate in the Bootcamp workshops.
- Develop and refine your startup plan and pitch.
- Submit business plans for award consideration.
- Compete in the Cup Competition semi-finals and finals.
Submission requirements
- Commitment to attend all workshops and execute project work.
- Submission of business plans (for awards like Murdoch Family Initiative Award).
- Pitch presentation in the Cup Competition.
Judging criteria
- Worthiness of business plan for support (for Murdoch Family Initiative Award).
- Entrepreneurial talent and initiative (for Steven Pal Family Award, Ferrari and Cuggy Families Prize).
- Technologically based venture and pitch/venture evaluation rating above adequate by McGill Engine team (for McGill Engine Prize).
- Focus on social responsibility (for Avmor Prize for Social Responsibility).
- Advancing medical technologies, digital health, and therapeutic solutions (for Vitruvius MedTech Innovation Award).
Sponsors & partners
National BankMurdoch FamilySteven Pal FamilyMcGill EngineAvrum Morrow (Avmor Prize)Ferrari and Cuggy Families (Neil Cuggy and Jonathan Ferrari)Vitruvius Innovation Group