The E3 Challenge was established in 2005 to fulfill Power Unit Youth Organization’s mission to promote entrepreneurship, empowerment, and excellence among the youth. Since then, it has offered youths hands-on opportunities to develop their skills and inspired them to take on active roles in their communities. The E3 Challenge, emphasizing teamwork and leadership skills, consists of three challenges in which youth work together and compete in teams.
Community and corporate partners give the teams a real problem to solve.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend special workshops and networking events.
There will only be one team that comes out victorious!
Each year, passionate youth of Power Unit Youth Organization vote on a charitable initiative to support throughout the year. All on-site proceeds go towards a selected beneficiary charity. To date, Night It Up! and Power Unit Youth Organization have contributed over $113,000 to various charitable initiatives in the GTA. Stay tuned for beneficiary activations and how you can help.
Co-Chairperson
I participated in The E3 Challenge during the summer of 2019, and it is safe to say that I have never learned so much over the span of two months. I was presented with countless opportunities to network, and create long lasting relationships. I was also able to develop myself in a way that sitting in a classroom could never. It gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge to real-world challenges, teaching me the value behind knowledge, motivation and hard work. With every challenge, I learned something new, from strategic marketing to calculating returns. The E3 Challenge was a truly unforgettable experience. This year I return as the Co-Chairperson in hopes to help others blossom and flourish as well. With that, I am eager to see what this year will bring and thankful for this amazing opportunity!
Co-Chairperson
During the summer of 2019, I was involved in The E3 Challenge as a participant. In the span of just a summer I learned more competing than I ever have in a high school business course. It was unlike any other business case competition I’ve ever participated in, The E3 Challenge gave me opportunities to apply what I’ve learned to real-world challenges. I am excited to return as the Co-Chairperson and I hope to make it an even better experience and to help other students gain real-life experiences and opportunities. I am glad to be apart of The E3 Challenge again and I can’t wait to see what happens this year!
Promotions Director
As a participant of The E3 Challenge program last summer, I had the opportunity to gain enriching real-world experiences. Whether I was working with corporations to develop marketing plans or running a game booth at Night it Up!, I was able to strengthen my organization skills, leadership, and overall character. More importantly, I was able to build a professional network and work with ambitious youth who I now call my family. This year, I’m excited to return as the Promotions Director, and help spread the spirit of The E3 Challenge to everyone.
Recruitment Director
I participated in the E3 Challenge in the summer of 2019 and I certainly would not have expected to learn so many things in two months. The E3 Challenge has truly created an outstanding experience for me whether it was networking with new people, developing myself professionally or going out for team socials. Not only that, but E3 has also equipped me with a plethora of skills including communication, teamwork and leadership that I would not have expected to strengthen to the level that they are currently within a typical classroom. Thank you to the E3 Challenge Family of 2019-2020 for the amazing experience and the time spent together! Much thanks for the OC team for making all of this possible! Returning as an OC myself, I cannot wait to see the ambitious individuals that we have in line for the upcoming year!
Project Accountant
Last summer, I participated in The E3 Challenge and I have never experienced anything like it before! Over the course of two months, I have grown tremendously that I could have never have in the regular classroom setting. I had the opportunity to connect with a variety of people including professionals established in the real world and like-minded students. Furthermore, I was able to enhance soft skills such as communication and teamwork that are held extremely valuable in the real world. Although this challenge may revolve around business, the experience, connections and skills gained from the experience will be valuable for everyone. I’m super stoked to be on the Organizing Committee this year and am looking forward to another great year filled with amazing memories to be made.
Co-Events Partnership Director
Last summer, I joined the E3 Challenge with the expectation of participating in a typical business challenge but over the course of the summer, it turned out to be an amazing leadership experience. It challenged me to work with business professionals, deal with real life issues business faced and developed my business skill set. I will never forget the new friends, connections and memories made from that incredible summer. Regardless of what field an individual wants to pursue, I highly encourage students to apply as the challenge equips youth with the skills and connections needed to succeed in any given discipline. I am so excited to be working as the Co-Events Partnership Director and can't wait to see what's in store for the upcoming year!
Co-Events Partnership Director
I initially joined The E3 Challenge back in 2017. With the experience I gained throughout the past 3 years I can easily say that the challenge has shaped me to become a better leader. Going into the challenge I was a ninth-grader lacking the knowledge and the skills required in the world of business. With challenges such as running a booth at Night It Up! The E3 Challenge has not only helped me gain these skills and the knowledge I need but also gave new connections with induviduals working in the field of business. I am thrilled to be returning to the challenge as a Director for Events- Partnership and see how the upcoming year will pan out.
Communications Coordinator
In the summer of 2019, I participated in the E3 Challenge. Within the span of two months, I've learned so much more than I ever would in a business course. The E3 Challenge was truly an amazing experience to take on real-life business problems. I was given so many opportunities to connect and meet new people. It challenged me to think critically in almost every challenge. I've learned so much from every single challenge, whether it be learning how to attract customers at a night market to now knowing how to strategically market to a certain demographic. The E3 Challenge has improved many of my skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. This truly has been an unforgettable experience. I am overjoyed to be returning as part of the Organizing Committee and am eager to see what happens upcoming this year!
Participants worked with Tangerine’s Client Experience team to educate Canadians about financial literacy.
Participants worked with Telus Marketing team to create viral marketing campaigns targeting youth.
Participants created social media recruitment campaigns to attract young and qualified potential employees.
ambitious youths
given in scholarship money
empowered
student leaders
collaborated
with over
corporate
partners
Team Victorious Secret
Participating in E3 really opened up my eyes and gave me a chance to explore the many facets of business first hand by working with industry professionals. I was able to develop and strengthen myself in many areas from formal business writing, to time management. The support from the mentors and organizers and overall positive vibe further fostered my entrepreneurial spirit and gave me a summer I surely will never forget.
Team Goal Getters
When signing up for this challenge, I had no idea what I was walking into. Was it going to be scary? Difficult? Or even both? In fact, it was. Although, it was also a lot of fun! You get to meet a bunch of new people, go through different experiences, and learn in a way that cannot be compared to just any classroom setting. The three challenges test your skills, and really allow you to expand out of your comfort zone. Creating new ideas and tackling real issues that companies deal with on a day-to-day basis – now that is not an opportunity that is offered everyday.
Team Up All Night
Overall E3 was a great experience that was well worth it despite living all the way in Mississauga. The challenges were great in allowing me to build practical professional skills while also fostering close relationships with my teammates. It was an amazing summer that I hope to experience again!
Team Designated Drivers - Peer Advisor
I truly enjoyed my experience as a Peer Advisor and have developed mentorship skills while learning a lot from interacting with the competitors. It felt great to contribute my knowledge and experience to help my team in completing the challenges and to guide them develop their critical thinking and communication skills.
Team Up All Night - Peer Advisor
I competed in The E3 Challenge in 2010, was Chairperson from 2011-2013, and then returned as a peer advisor in 2015. I always find myself coming back because I firmly believe in what The E3 Challenge values and I always learn something new. Looking back on my time as a participant, the coaching I got from my mentor and peer advisors helped me grow as a leader, made me a better communicator, and taught me important lessons in humility and putting things into perspective.
Team #Disruptive - Peer Advisor
I had a lot fun during my experience as a Peer Advisor. The moments we shared together as a team were truly unforgettable! As a former participant alumni, I was given a chance to offer my expertise to help guide the team along with my other PA. Personally, I greatly developed my mentorship skills and even learned a lot from my own participants so it was definitely a great experience.
Team KEJ - Mentor
As an E3 Mentor, I was pleasantly reminded of the creativity and resourcefulness of which young individuals are capable. Some of my participants impressed me with their ambition and leadership potential. Others impressed me with their efficiency and project management skills. All of them impressed me with their courage to overcome their weaknesses and fears as they became more confident in themselves. My team won the 2013 E3 Challenge, but win or lose, I could not be more proud of their development as individuals and as a team. Three of my participants have immediately moved on to take important leadership roles in the E3 Challenge organizing team or other areas of PUYO. The experience was equally rewarding for me, as I had the opportunity to work with other strong mentors and a pair of very dedicated peer advisors who care greatly about youth development.
Team C.L.E.A.R. - Mentor
The Mentor experience, I loved it! My team is Team C.L.E.A.R – CLEARLY incredible, the winning team of the 2014 challenge. I had so much fun with them in the six weeks that we spent together! The time we spent together, conversations we had, the personal experiences gained, knowing that they are all on their journey to success in the future from The E3 challenge gives me joy. No matter where everyone is now, I am sure they will have gained an experience or two in life, and these are the most valuable relationships that have been gained, developed, happiness shared, that words cannot simply describe. Not only were the Participants motivated, hardworking, united, exquisite, creative, and most of all, beautiful inside out, but the Peer Advisors were also jolly ecstatically driven.
Team Kryptamite - Mentor
As a mentor, you are given the chance to have an impact on the growth of your mentees. You are able to share your experience and knowledge with them. When taking a close look at their behaviours, you also take the time to look back at your own. Not only is it a development opportunity for your mentees, it is also one for yourself. You look back at how you communicate with them; discovering what is the most effective way to get your message across and get your team to see you point. It is also a chance for you to develop your EQ, as sympathy and understanding play an important role when trying to push them forward. Finally, you have a chance to take part in the amazing challenges that your team is on. Frankly, I wish that I had the opportunities presented to them when I was their age!
Working with the E3 committee was such a wonderful experience for Tangerine -- we got exposed to new ideas, new ways of thinking, and were reminded of how powerful, capable and innovative the next generation already is. A breath of fresh air for any large organization. - Michelle from Tangerine
The expectations at our company were relatively low – we did not expect much to come out of a competition of students during the summer months. Not only were our expectations proven to be wrong, but the ideas espoused at the competition were absolutely fantastic. It was evident that a great deal of hard work and thought that was put into the challenge we provided. Indeed, it was these presentations that made us consider hiring a team or two in order to help us on some of our projects. Overall, we could not have been more grateful and thrilled to participate in The E3 challenge. - Steven from Flybits
On behalf of the TELUS team, I had a great time working with the E3 organizing primes and student teams. We were very impressed by the detailed marketing strategies that the teams developed under tight timelines and the level of professionalism showcased during the challenge presentations. Not only did the students highlight new marketing insights that we will incorporate into future campaigns, but it was also very rewarding to see the students develop their marketing skills during the challenge. Congrats and a job well done to all the E3 teams! - Ashley from Telus
