Sometimes, you just need the lure of competitive victory to kickstart a shakeup in an industry in dire need of one.
The #DisruptMining initiative is a new Dragon’s Den-style contest that recognizes and rewards innovation in the mining sector.
Sponsored by Canada’s Goldcorp and Integra Gold, #DisruptMining will serve as the marquee event of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference, held in Toronto from March 5 to 8.
In January, entrepreneurs submitted disruptive ideas and business proposals around technology with the potential to revolutionize the industry. From the 153 submissions they received, the pair of sponsors selected five to present at the live #DisruptMining event.
The finalists are:
Bio-Mine Ltd.
Cementation Canada Inc.
Goldspot Discoveries Inc.
KORE Geosystems Inc.
TradeWind Markets Inc.
The pitch session will see finalists proposing their technology to a panel of judges, whose ranks include such corporate luminaries as Robert Herjavec and Goldcorp’s senior VP Todd White.
Each presenter will have five minutes to explain and defend their idea, and judges will have two minutes to respond and ask questions. At the close of each presentation, judges will be able to send a “disruptor” to the deal room to negotiate an investment.
Additionally, 11 semi-finalists have won the chance to display their idea during the #DisruptMining Expo, attracting the potential attention of 250-300 mining executives.
Goldcorp has committed $1 million for a proof of concept at one of its mines or investment in the winning technologies. The remaining four judges will represent $100,000 each.
When Goldcorp and Integra launched the challenge last month, White called the mining industry “overdue for radical, disruptive innovation.”
All proceeds from the event will be donated to charities in communities where the mining companies operate and used to create scholarships “designed to spur innovation in mining.”
The sold-out live finale will take place on March 5, at the Carlu in Toronto.
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