Roberta Mistaken Chief
Three Lethbridge Polytechnic business students placed in the top four at the University of Lethbridge’s LaunchPoint Pitch Competition in early March, with one taking home the first-place prize.
Roberta Mistaken Chief, first-year Business Administration — Business Operations student and owner of Niitsitapi Treats and Eats, was awarded the top prize of $2,000.
“Niitsitapi Treats and Eats is my way of sharing delicious Indigenous food with people across southern Alberta who might not have access to it,” Mistaken Chief explained. “Winning this cash prize will really help me purchase new mobile catering and food preparation equipment that I need to grow my business.”
Mistaken Chief’s menu includes fry bread, Native tacos, bannock pizza and pemmican.
Mistaken Chief already has customers interested in her cuisine, and she hopes to hit the ground running soon.
“I have some initial steps to take, like obtaining a business licence and developing a social media presence, but I’m ready to get out there and interact with my customers,” Mistaken Chief said. “I am excited to talk to people about the food and culture they came to experience.”
Seth Tomasson, a second-year Business Administration — Management student, presented his Pacific View Window Washing business to the LaunchPoint competition panel.
After finishing second in the competition and winning the fan favourite vote, Tomasson took home $1,750 in total winnings, which he looks to put toward his business.
Tomasson started his window cleaning business last year with his brother.
Last year, Tomasson had more than 100 clients and hopes to double that number this year.
Tomasson is also a member of the Kodiaks men’s basketball team and equates his time with the team to his time on the job.
First-year Business Administration — Accounting student Blake Chan also participated in the competition, placing fourth for his Nudge Phone Case, a unique take on improving personal productivity.
Chan, who won an hour of advisory time with Lethbridge-based Anova Law to assist with intellectual property, hopes to return to the competition next year with more experience.
All three students accessed support and resources from Lethbridge Polytechnic’s AgENT program to develop their ideas.
“Giving students a chance to pitch their ideas in front of business and industry professionals is part of the exceptional student experience we strive for here at Lethbridge Polytechnic,” says Josh Leith, AgENT program co-ordinator. “All three of them nailed their pitches; they just went above and beyond of what was expected of them and really showed the audience what Lethbridge Polytechnic has to offer through the AgENT program.”
AgENT is a free extracurricular program offered to all Lethbridge Polytechnic students and recent grads.
It provides learning opportunities to develop foundational skills in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship through workshops, brainstorming sessions, industry networking events and pitch competitions.
