HeadsUp, a startup dedicated to improving tradespeople’s communications with customers, captured the $25,000 first prize at Canada’s Business Model Competition on Saturday, edging out a strong field of finalists.

The university entrepreneurship competition’s winning team, comprising Mike Reid, Jeremy Tupper, and Dimitry Galamiyev, was a bit of a hybrid as its members came from three schools -- University of Waterloo, Dalhousie University, and Ontario College of Art and Design University respectively.

The two other winners were: Ourotech, made up of Duleek Ranatunga and Zain Roohi of the University of Waterloo, which captured the $15,000 second place; and Intelligent Site Innovations, comprising Cole Campbell and Mitchell Hollohan of Dalhousie University, which won the $10,000 third place.

HeadsUp will now proceed to the International Business Model Competition at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in May. Other teams may also apply to attend the global finals.

Hosted by Dalhousie University’s Starting Lean initiative for the past three years, the Canadian Business Model Competition assesses how well a team of student entrepreneurs applies lean methodology to a business idea.  The important thing isn’t so much the business potential as the rigour with which the students test their theories through interviews with experts and potential clients.

HeadsUp, for example, began with the theory that an app would help plumbers, electricians, retailers and others let customers know precisely when they will be at their home rather than just giving a four-hour window. 

But 85 percent of the homeowners they interviewed said they wouldn’t download an app. Then they had the difficulty in finding something that companies would pay for. They are now focused on an SMS text messaging solution. It would not only notify the homeowner when the tradesperson will arrive, but also deliver a customer satisfaction form that can help a company identify evangelists.

In total, the HeadsUp team has conducted more than 150 interviews, and have lined up five early adopters with a total of more than 400 field reps to test the product. They will continue to hone the project as they go through The Next36 accelerator program this summer.

The runner-up Ourotech uses 3D printers to produce replica body parts for the medical industry. It means med students could practice on printed samples for training purposes.

“We haven’t decided whether to concentrate on heart surgery or brain surgery,” said presenter Duleek Ranatunga, holding up a 3D-printed brain and heart. “We don’t know whether to follow our hearts or listen to our minds.”

Intelligent Site Innovations is developing a solution to improve traffic signals at construction sites. Rather than have a three-person team manning the signs, ISI is working on a system of cameras and stop lights that one person could operate. Campbell and Hollohan are now working on pilot projects with two early adopters in Nova Scotia.

The other three finalists were: Go Grow from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, which is designing a low-cost covering for flowers that uses solar heat to extend the growing season; Local Line from Wilfrid Laurier University in Kitchener, ON, which is developing an online marketplace to link farmers and local chefs; and Scout from MacEwan University in Edmonton, which is developing loyalty cards for small and medium-sized businesses.