Registration for 2021 SBSC is open
A virtual case competition that promotes interdisciplinary among the STEM and business fields
Develop a bioengineered product to solve real world issues
The Synthetic Biology Solutions Challenge (SBSC) is an interdisciplinary case competition where teams will design a case that utilizes synthetic biology to solve real problems and compete to win monetary prizes! This project strives to stimulate critical thinking in sciences, ethics, entreprenuership, and wider impacts to the local and global community. The SBSC runs for a full day and includes keynotes from experts in the fields of biotechnology and tech development intended to help participants develop skills relevant to their case and the biotech industry in general. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SBSC will be held online.
Registration is open to all students (undergraduate or graduate) in Canada! No prior business case competition experience required!
This competition was designed by students who are interested in synthetic biology and biotechnology and are excited about how these fields are transforming existing markets and growing new ones. From finding ways to make prescription drugs more affordable to keeping our foods fresher, synthetic biology has many potential applications. Solid science is needed for a product to succeed, but so are solid business practices! This challenge is fundamentally interdisciplinary and brings together students with a science/engineering background interested in exploring how entrepreneurship and the biotechnology intersect!
Photos of student teams and expert judges/speakers from the inaugural Synthetic Biology Solutions Challenge in 2019. While we can't host the event in person, we hope you join the 2021 Challenge and gain experience in synthetic biology and entrepreneurship like these teams in a virtual setting!
What is the Challenge?
The Synthetic Biology Solutions Challenge 2021 is a multi-session workshop and competition:
Synthetic Biology Solutions Challenge
March 20, 2021 - 8:30 AM - 6 PM, Online Event
Bring your A-game to Challenge Day which will start with keynote speakers and interactive discussions about how the life science industries and entrepreneurship intersect. Using your newfound knowledge, and the Challenge Package given a few days before Challenge Dat, you will have the opportunity to design a marketable solution using synthetic biology with your team!
Teams must then create a 4-minute presentation and pitch to wow the judges, who will have relevant experience in entrepreneurship and the life science industries. The top two teams will go head to head and have the chance of taking home a prize!
Over $300 in Monetary Prizes to be won!
1st Place: TBA
2nd Place: TBA
All undergraduate students of any experience-level encouraged to sign up individually, or up to a team of four. The Business Model 101 workshop will give your team the skill sets to successfully compete on Challenge Day!
Making as interdisciplinary a team as possible is recommended and! If you do not have a complete team of three, don't worry as we'll match you with other individual participants in advance.
The cost of registration is $11.62 for each participant and includes the chance to connect with other high performing students and to learn from and network with industry experts!
Invited Speakers/Partners and Judges
Keynote 1: Miranda Stahn, Genome Alberta
Keynote 2: TBA
FAQs & More Info
I'm really interested, but I don't know of anyone in my discipline to sign up with...
We encourage your to sign up individually and we can work with you to match you with other interested students! Feel free to send us an email at synbio@ualberta.ca and we will try and facilitate contact with other interested students without a group!
I don't quite understand how the teams are set up...
Any three undergraduate students can form a team, however interdisciplinary teams composed of students with diverse backgrounds are encouraged.
I don't think I have the knowledge or skills to compete in this Challenge...
We encourage you to participate anyways! This Challenge is designed for undergraduate students with no prior experience with case competitions or synthetic biology. The Business Model 101 workshop and program features on Challenge Day are meant to prepare you for the pitch competition.
Are both events mandatory to successfully compete?
Attendance for both events is mandatory for each team. However, not every member is required to attend the Business Model 101 workshop as long as there is a representative of your team to receive the Challenge Package. Additionally, you will not be penalized on Challenge Day if your whole team cannot attend the Business Model 101 workshop.
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
No, all undergraduate students are able to participate.
What should I bring to the events?
Please bring a laptop/tablet to carry out research on. Lunch and refreshments will be provided (please advise of any dietary restrictions upon registration).
Are tickets refundable?
Individual tickets are refundable up until 7 days prior to the Business Model 101 workshop. Any withdrawals of individual tickets past this time are non-refundable.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Feel free to email us with any additional questions at synbio@ualberta.ca