A Festive Tradition – U of T’s 12 Days of Startups campaign returns with a diverse lineup of holiday gift ideas
Tis the season for U of T Startups to sparkle and shine! U of T Entrepreneurship (UTE) is back with another 12 Days of Startups campaign, an annual tradition that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of our vibrant ecosystem.
This year’s campaign is bigger and better than ever, featuring in-person events and a dynamic social media campaign. The goal is simple: to spotlight our startups and their products, just in time for the season of gift giving.
This year, UTE partnered with the U of T Bookstore to host two events at the iconic university shop, where attendees can get up-close and personal with U of T startups and shop for products not otherwise available in stores.
The U of T Startup Holiday Market, the campaign’s flagship two-day event, will take place on December 3rd and 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will feature 15 participating startup vendors, who will take over the second floor of the U of T Bookstore for a pop-up of unique, ready to purchase, one-of-a kind clothing, tech and beauty products.
As an extension of the holiday market, U of T Entrepreneurship will host the UTE Community Winter Social on December 4th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the U of T Bookstore. This event will connect entrepreneurs, community partners, industry leaders, U of T staff and students. All are welcome, but please register in advance!
The festive social will offer delectable treats and the opportunity to network with fellow community members. One lucky community member will have a chance to win $150 in “UTE Bucks” that can be redeemed with any of the participating U of T Startup vendors that day.
Starting December 1st, UTE will post daily highlights on Instagram, shining light on 12 startups (some of them different from the ones participating in the startup market), who have each been supported by our campus accelerators and have products in market that would make thoughtful holiday gifts. Choose from a variety of clothing, jewelry, skincare, stationary, baked goods, books, puzzles, and more for everyone on your list.
Want to win products from our startups? UTE is giving away three prize packs on Instagram and sharing exclusive discount codes to help kick off your holiday shopping. To qualify to win any of the prize packs, follow @uoftstartup, like and comment on campaign posts.
“We’re excited to bring back our 12 Days of Startups campaign,” says Jon French, Director of U of T Entrepreneurship. “We often speak to how important it is for our ecosystem to be a first customer, and this campaign lets us walk the walk while we highlight the incredible value being created by our entrepreneurs at U of T.”