Map the System is a unique opportunity to learn more about a social or environmental issue you care about. It is a challenge where you are asked to map out the problem & landscape of current solutions, then identify gaps and missing opportunities for positive change.
This is NOT a traditional business plan competition!
Map the System is program offered by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, with partner institutions around the world each running their own competition.
Registration
Student registration is now open! Register between now and January 31, 2026
What you need to register:
- Fill out online registration form
- Submit your proposed topic
- List all team members
To register: www.mapthesystem.ca/take-part
Selecting Your Topic
Start with what you are passionate about. The problem focus can be local or global. Consider your access to knowledge on the subject.
Examples from previous years:
● Affordable housing
● The Canadian charity system
● Menstrual inequality
● Gentrification
● Youth homelessness
● Flooding.
Check out past competition submissions and list of resources at www.mapthesystem.ca/resources
Mentoring Sessions
To support students participating in the UBCO Map the System program, the 6 mentoring sessions will be provided on the dates listed below. Only students who are registered in the program will be invited to attend the mentoring session.
To register for the competition and the mentoring session, go to: www.mapthesystem.ca/take-part
- January 20th 4:00 – 5:30 pm (in-person)
- February 3rd 4:00 – 5:30 pm (in-person)
- February 17th 4:00 – 5:30 pm (online)
- March 3rd 4:00 – 5:30 pm (online)
- March 17th 4:00 – 5:30 pm (online)
- March 31st 4:00 – 5:30 pm (online)
UBCO Map the System Campus Finals
In May of 2026, a campus wide event and competition will take place with cash prizes for the best teams:
1st Prize – $500 cash prize
2nd Prize – $300 cash prize
3rd Prize – $200 cash prize
The 1st place winning team will be invited to attend the global finals.
Map the System Global Final
The Global Final will take place on July 9 – 12, 2026 in Oxford England
● All campus finalists teams will compete at the global semi-final event
● The top teams will compete in the final for prize monies:
1st Prize – £5,000 cash prize
2nd Prize – £4,000 cash prize
3rd Prize – £3,500 cash prize
Meet Your Mentors
Co-Founder & Director, Enstrati Consulting Inc.
Associate Instructor, Saïd School of Business, Oxford University
Meet Past UBCO Teams
Map the System 2025
“Development in the Shadows; The Load-Shedding Crisis of Bangladesh” by Nida Shah and Anika Tasneem
Map the System 2024
“The Social Determinants of Health Inequities in Resource Extraction Communities in Rural British Columbia” by Alysandra Oledan, Tahlia Reid, and Thomas Bears
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. As long as you are registered before the January 31st deadline, you can join a registered team, or form a new team with other registered individuals.
No. You are able to change teams up until you submit your package by the April deadline.
No. You are able to change your idea throughout the competition up until you submit your package.
Any current UBCO student, either undergraduate or graduate, in any program, are eligible to participate.
Former UBCO students can also participate so long as they graduated less than 1 year from the registration deadline.
Map the System UBCO is organized by Dr. Alon Eisenstein, Associate Professor of Teaching, at the School of Engineering.
For any questions or requests, please email alon.eisenstein@ubc.ca
