Regina High School Entrepreneurs Build Real Businesses Through Accelerator Program
Four students from Winston Knoll Collegiate in Regina have transformed from typical teenagers into budding entrepreneurs, launching a functional intercity ride-share application called FASTravel through a groundbreaking business accelerator program designed specifically for high school students.
From Classroom to Boardroom: The FASTravel Success Story
Tomiwa Majekodunmi, Fizza Ali, Rihanna Flora and Makaya Gunther never imagined themselves as business founders, but their innovative FASTravel app recently earned them first place among 15 competing teams at the inaugural Elevate XP pitch competition on January 31, 2026. The team secured $755 in investment funding, with $300 specifically allocated toward further app development.
"When we pitched in front of the investors, it was such a crazy feeling being high school students and earning real money for a real business," said Ali, an eleventh-grade student. "We have an app. That's so crazy to think about as high school students. It was just such a surreal experience."
Elevate XP: More Than Just a Competition
The Elevate XP program represents a comprehensive eight-week business accelerator organized by University of Regina student group Enactus. Thirty-five students from seven Regina high schools participated in the initiative, which guides Grade 9 through 12 students through early-stage product development while providing mentorship and funding opportunities.
"It is more than just a pitch competition," explained Srijit Gaire, project lead from Enactus Regina. "It is real entrepreneurship experience by becoming a founder; by building something real."
During the third week of the program, students pitch their business cases to community investors for capital funding. Across all 15 teams, more than $8,500 was raised at the investment stage, with some teams securing as much as $1,200 while others received as little as $20, challenging them to find creative approaches to launch their ventures.
Balancing Academics and Entrepreneurship
The Winston Knoll students managed to balance their entrepreneurial ambitions with a full academic course load, completing first-semester final exams just days before the final pitch showcase. Their dedication paid off when FASTravel's prototype app earned them the top prize of $1,500 at the competition.
Diverse Business Ideas Emerge from Regina Youth
Beyond the winning ride-share application, other student pitches demonstrated remarkable creativity and social awareness. Proposals included:
- A mobile platform connecting newcomers to English language sessions
- An eco-friendly ice-melt spray for windshields
- An odd jobs platform connecting people with ad hoc services
Gaire emphasized that the program's motivation extends beyond business creation: "We do have a lot of talent. But when they're not given support, when they're not given opportunity and access, they go elsewhere to find it, naturally. And what this program does, is it introduces them to opportunity, access and networks."
The initiative aims to demonstrate that bright young entrepreneurs don't need to leave Regina to find opportunities, fostering local talent and showing students they can succeed within their own community while gaining practical business experience that extends far beyond traditional classroom learning.
