Roberta Mistaken Chief won the top prize at the University of Lethbridge's LaunchPoint Pitch Competition. (Photo: Lethbridge Polytechnic)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge Polytechnic students impress at business pitch competition

Apr 11, 2025 | 2:05 PM

A trio of post-secondary students have been rewarded for coming up with unique and innovative business ideas.

The business students at Lethbridge Polytechnic took part in the University of Lethbridge’s LaunchPoint Pitch Competition in early March, one of whom claimed first prize.

Roberta Mistaken Chief

The first-year Business Administration – Business Operations student went home with the top prize of $2,000 prize for Niitsitapi Treats and Eats.

She explains, “Niitsitapi Treats and Eats is my way of sharing delicious Indigenous food with people across southern Alberta who might not have access to it. Winning this cash prize will really help me purchase new mobile catering and food preparation equipment that I need to grow my business.”

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Her menu includes fry bread, Native tacos, bannock pizza, and pemmican.

Mistaken Chief says she already has interested customers and 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,” she says. “I am excited to talk to people about the food and culture they came to experience.”

Seth Tomasson

The second-year Business Administration – Management student won the fan favourite vote to claim a prize of $1,750 for Pacific View Window Washing.

“I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish,” says Tomasson. “I have a lot of things that I’ve taken from the pitch competition that I’m going to apply in the future.”

He started the window cleaning business last year with his brother, taking on more than 100 clients.

Tomasson hopes to double that this year.

He is also a member of the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s basketball team and equates his time on the team with his time on the job.

“Every day playing basketball you have to show up and you have to put in the hard work,” he says. “And that’s what it was with window washing. Some days we didn’t have any jobs lined up, but we just had to show up on time and ready to work.”

Blake Chan

The first-year Business Administration – Accounting student placed fourth for Nudge Phone Case, something he describes as a unique take on improving personal productivity.

“Phones can be distracting to a fault, so I wanted to create a phone case that you didn’t want to hold,” says Chan. “Imagine a case that was still functional in protecting your device, but it was just dysfunctional enough that you wanted to put it down as soon as possible.

“Phones can be distracting to a fault, so I wanted to create a phone case that you didn’t want to hold,” says Chan. “Imagine a case that was still functional in protecting your device, but it was just dysfunctional enough that you wanted to put it down as soon as possible.

Chan won one hour of advisory time with Lethbridge-based Anova Law, who will assist with intellectual property.

All three students accessed support and resources from Lethbridge Polytechnic’s AgENT program to help develop their ideas.

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