Winnipeg’s RampUp Weekend Returns, Turning Ideas Into Startups in 50 Hours
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Winnipeg’s startup community will once again come together this April as North Forge hosts its annual RampUp Weekend, a three-day event focused on turning early-stage ideas into viable business concepts.
Running April 10 to 12, the event brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and tech enthusiasts to test and build ideas in a structured, fast-paced environment. Over the course of roughly 50 hours, participants move from initial concept to final pitch, guided by mentors and evaluated by experienced judges.
While the format has become familiar within Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem, this year introduces a notable change to how ideas are selected.
In previous years, participants pitched ideas live without pre-screening. In 2026, North Forge has introduced a new approach.
Anyone interested in pitching must first submit a one-minute video outlining their idea. From those submissions, a panel selects 30 founders to pitch live on the Friday evening kickoff.
Participants will not know in advance if they have been selected. Names are called live, adding an element of unpredictability to the event’s opening night.
Following the pitches, attendees vote on which ideas move forward. The top 10 are selected, teams form organically around those ideas, and the build phase begins.
The deadline to submit a pitch is Sunday, April 5 at 5 p.m.
From Concept to Pitch in One Weekend
The structure of RampUp Weekend is designed to mirror the early stages of launching a business.
Friday focuses on idea selection through rapid one-minute pitches. Saturday shifts to execution, with teams working on branding, validating their concepts, and building early versions of their product or service. Mentors from across the business and startup community are on hand throughout the day.
By Sunday, teams refine their business models and deliver final pitches to a panel of judges, followed by questions and feedback.
The top team will take home a $10,000 prize, offering early momentum to help move their idea beyond the weekend.
“It is about creating a space where people can take an idea and actually do something with it,” said Joelle Foster, CEO and President of North Forge. “You do not need a polished plan. You just need a starting point and the willingness to build, test, and learn quickly.”
Judges Reflect Manitoba’s Growing Ecosystem
This year’s judging panel includes leaders from venture capital, corporate innovation, and early-stage investing.
Iain Crozier, founder and managing partner at Trillick Ventures, brings experience scaling and advising businesses. Katie Hall Hursh, vice-president at Megill-Stephensen Company and managing partner at Women’s Equity Lab, focuses on improving access to capital for early-stage companies. Dennis Agbeha, director for the Prairies at RBCx, works closely with startups across Western Canada, supporting their growth and development.
Together, they provide participants with direct exposure to the expectations and realities of building a business.
A Track Record of Early Momentum
While the event unfolds over a single weekend, its impact often extends beyond it.
Last year’s winners include Staff on Shift, a workforce management platform; Labour Power, a service connecting workers to rights and union support; and Armoire, a digital wardrobe planning app that earned fan favourite honours.
Other companies, such as Permission Click, have also been linked to the RampUp pipeline, highlighting the role the event can play in early-stage development.
Open to Anyone Curious About Startups
Although centred on entrepreneurship, RampUp Weekend is not limited to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Members of the public can attend, observe the process, vote on ideas, and even join teams. Tickets are priced at $10, making it one of the more accessible entry points into Winnipeg’s startup community.
For some, the weekend leads to a business idea worth pursuing. For others, it offers insight into how quickly ideas can evolve when given the right environment.
RampUp Weekend runs April 10 to 12. Pitch submissions close April 5 at 5 p.m. More information is available at northforge.ca/rampup.
