Our member, the University of New Brunswick (UNB), brought Canada’s brightest student innovators to Fredericton for the BMO Apex Startup Challenge.
UNB proudly hosted and organized the 2026 BMO Apex Startup Challenge on January 22 and 23, welcoming 24 student teams from across Canada to Fredericton for two days of competition, mentorship, and connection. The event was a resounding success, awarding $30,000 in cash prizes to emerging student-led startups.
Over the course of the challenge, 55 student innovators delivered 10-minute pitches to a panel of 28 judges and business leaders, while also taking part in mentoring and networking sessions designed to support their entrepreneurial journeys.
Top winners included:
Seline (Mount Allison University) – Undergraduate Track Winner, recognized for its clinic-lab model supporting contraception matching and endocrine care.
Wonder Guard (McMaster University) – Graduate Track Winner, for its AI-powered catheter adaptor that detects and predicts UTIs using electrochemical biosensors.
CELLECT Laboratories (University of Waterloo) – Elevator Pitch Winner, for its stick-on diagnostic device using menstrual blood to enable non-invasive gynecological testing.
A strong cohort of startups tackled pressing challenges in healthcare and construction, with standout teams including Anttara, Cellgel Biosystems, ExtendiHealth Systems, Genesis Build, JTCipher, Niavra, and Operio.
Now in its 23rd year, the BMO Apex Startup Challenge continues to be a flagship celebration of student innovation and entrepreneurship. Through UNB’s leadership, the event strengthens connections between emerging founders and New Brunswick’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Explore the winning startups and their innovations