The MBET Experience

Back in October, Jenn recruited me to join her and Jas to submit an entry to the RBC Next Great Innovator challenge. The contest required us to tackle this challenge:

“How will today’s teens influence the financial services industry in Canada? Describe an innovation, idea or concept that financial services should consider in light of this.”

When we signed up back in October, I didn’t think this would be that big of a deal. However, when the deadline for our submission hit in late January, spending time on this was the last thing I wanted to do! Both Jenn and I thought of pulling out, but with some motivation from Jas, we buckled down, came up with an idea, and got our entry submitted.

When I read our paper again a couple weeks later, I thought… “wow, this is actually a pretty cool concept.” Still, with at least five teams from our class submitting entries, not to mention the numerous other entries that must have come in from around the country, I didn’t think we had much of a chance at making the next round. Well, wouldn’t you know, on Friday, I got a call from a very excited Jenn telling me that we had made the finals!! I was more than a little surprised, but was thrilled to hear the news.

Our team, J2D Innovate, was one of five finalists selected to head to Toronto at the end of March to present our idea to a panel from RBC. We are guaranteed one of the cash prizes – at a minimum, $1500, and up to $20,000 for first place! This is an awesome opportunity, and should be a great experience. We’re going to have to put some work into this presentation and blow away the judges from RBC!!