Business students score big at pitch competition

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on April 12, 2025.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad Blake Chan, Seth Tomasson and Roberta Mistaken Chief, three business students at Lethbridge Polytechnic, placed in the top four at the University of Lethbridge's LaunchPoint Pitch competition last month.

Three business students at Lethbridge Polytechnic placed in the top four at the University of Lethbridge’s LaunchPoint Pitch competition early last month.

The competition saw local entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. Twelve members from both institutions participated, with Roberta Mistaken Chief, a first-year business administration student and owner of Niitsitapi Treats and Eats. taking first place, winning a grand total of $2,000.

Mistaken Chief, who graduated the culinary program 15 years ago, has been running a catering business out of her home ever since and wanted to branch out into a food truck setting.

She says she’s noticed how Indigenous cuisine such as fry bread, Native tacos, bannock pizza, and pemmican is severely underrepresented in the food industry, with no local places to get traditional dishes unless you attend a powwow or other Indigenous event.

She adds having a food truck would allow her to travel to reserves across the province and she hopes to attend the Calgary Stampede in the near future.

“Everybody knows Calgary Stampede is known for the food and I definitely want to get into that market.”

While $2,000 won’t get her very far toward purchasing a food truck, she plans on using the prize money for her catering expenses as well as other smaller business items.

“What I’m going to be using that money for is to get catering equipment, so shaping dishes, serving utensils and we’re working to get banners, business card, all those little things that we need to get the business going.”

Seth Tomasson, a second-year business administration-management student, took second place for his window cleaning business, which he started last summer with his brother.

Being on the basketball team, an entrepreneur and a student, he says getting his priorities straight each day has helped make him successful academically and in his career aspirations.

“Focus, plan out my day, make sure I get everything done that I need to and the mentality of work then play,” he said.

Tomasson plans to grow his business as much as he can to make as much money as possible.

Blake Chan, a first-year accounting student, came out with a prototype phone case to help people get off their phones by making it uncomfortable for them, which helped him take fourth in the competition.

He tested a variety of styles and materials including a fine grit sandpaper, microfibre cloth and an awkwardly designed case to help prevent doom scrolling.

He says unlike apps that don’t really deter people from scrolling, and can be costly in the end, the cases are a one-time purchase.

“I just wanted a product you could buy once and give it a try and if you don’t like it, or if it doesn’t work, it’s a one-time purchase, it’s not something you’re locked into.”

All three students accessed support and resources through the AgENT, a free extracurricular program offered to all polytechnic students.

AgENT provides learning opportunities through workshops, brainstorming sessions, networking events and pitch competitions.

Josh Leith, AgENT program coordinator, says the three students are just a few examples of the gaps students at both institutions are trying to fill with their creativity and innovation.

“They see gaps that we have her and our students are really just trying to fill those holes for the community.”