Entrepreneurs pitching the idea of a boat-sharing mobile app took first place in the Bermuda Startup Challenge.

The Triangle Boat Club also took the People’s Choice Award in the event, which was held with the support of Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and the Department of ICT Policy and Innovation.

The event, which took place over the weekend at Innovation House, on Reid Street, Hamilton, brought together teams of entrepreneurs with the aim of coming up with viable business ideas to tackle problems in Bermuda today.

Organised by chairman Adrian Lodge and co-chairman John Narraway, the challenge was designed to put a new spin of the annual Startup Weekend that has been held for the past four years.

This year’s theme was to find a problem relating to health and wealth in Bermuda, and to design a business solution that can successfully tackle that problem.

Compared to previous years, there was an increased focus on validation before spending time and money actually creating a product or service without realising whether it will work, organisers said.

Second place went to Prepped for their idea of a fresh food delivery website.

Third place went to Back Breakers BDA for their idea of a corporate staff massage service. Other ideas included Hive Hub for a youth talent-sourcing site, Fresh Identifier for a fisherman location app, and Bermyzon.com for a local online market.

Mr Lodge said: “We are extremely grateful to all sponsors, coaches, judges, and committee members who pitched in to make this event a reality.

“Without you, this type of event would not be possible. I also want to thank the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism [Jamahl Simmons] for stopping by during the event to share his wisdom with some of Bermuda’s entrepreneurs.

“In my mind, anyone who went through this mental boot-camp of creating a business in 48 hours, and came out the other side is a winner.

“This type of event is designed to teach you life lessons and experiences which help define you and prove that you are capable of becoming the next Digicel or Fireminds.”

To watch the participants’ presentations and for information on how to participate in the next event, visit https://www.facebook.com/InspireEbusiness/ or http://www.inspireebusiness.bm/