James Mtendamema is helping students tap into a more immersive campus experience.
James Mtendamema saw a gap in campus life—and set out to close it.
“I wanted to create a platform that makes it easier for students to stay connected, engaged, and informed,” he says.
His app, Campus Buddy, is a direct channel for students to discover campus activities, including events, clubs, workshops, student organizations, and connect with peers. It also features a regulated marketplace where students can buy and sell goods.
“We created a central hub to bring everything together,” Mtendamema explains. “We wanted to foster an ecosystem with real long-term value. While resources exist, they’re scattered across different channels, making it hard to stay engaged. Campus Buddy is your one-stop destination.”
Students register through their university and, after selecting their interests, receive a personalized feed of campus events and activities tailored to their tastes.
With Campus Buddy, Mtendamema hopes to empower students to take charge of their on-campus experience, expand their social circles, and make the most of university life.
The app also benefits businesses, offering a direct way to reach students through in-app advertising and loyalty offers. By partnering with local vendors, Campus Buddy provides deals and discounts on dining, entertainment, and other services.
The idea for the app was born during Tech Start at the University of Calgary and refined through Launchpad, a program run by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.
Mtendamema says Launchpad was pivotal to the app’s development.
“Launchpad was a great experience—it helped us structure our product and strategy,” he says. “My co-founders, Jennifer Igwe and Yang Liu, and I connected with other student founders, met mentors, and received valuable feedback. It really helped us think bigger and build Campus Buddy into what it is today.”
Entrepreneurship has been a rewarding and unexpected journey for Mtendamema.
“Starting Campus Buddy opened a lot of doors,” he reflects. “What surprised me most was the resources available once you take that first step. To me, entrepreneurial thinking means seeing opportunity where others see roadblocks. I had the chance to address this opportunity—so I went for it.”
Looking ahead, Campus Buddy is focused on growth and expansion.
“We want Campus Buddy to be the go-to app for student life, which means strengthening our presence on campus,” Mtendamema says. “We’re focused on getting more students on board, building momentum across campuses, and creating meaningful collaborations with student organizations and local businesses.”
Aligned with this vision, Mtendamema and his team are excited to showcase Campus Buddy at Web Summit 2025. Held in Vancouver, Web Summit is North America’s fastest-growing tech conference.
“We’re looking forward to connecting with global innovators and sharing Campus Buddy with a wider audience,” Mtendamema says. “We’re just getting started.”
The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is proud to support ten of the University of Calgary’s most promising startups at Web Summit. These ventures, founded by students, researchers and alumni, have been supported by the Hunter Hub through various programming, mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities, and a rich community driven by entrepreneurial thinking and creative innovation.
Planning to attend Web Summit? Visit the Hunter Hub’s booth to connect with Campus Buddy and the nine other ventures making waves in UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem.
Ready to take your first (or tenth) step into entrepreneurship at the University of Calgary? The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is here to support you as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, whatever form that may take. Through a variety of programs, services, and year-round community events, the Hunter Hub is here to meet you where you are — whether you’re looking to pitch a startup, develop your business, or simply dive deep into an issue that ignites you. Visit the Hunter Hub website to learn more.
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Is a good idea as it can be used to simplify student life
It is a good app for students,that will make their daily life easy at collage
Pls download the app and enjoy services with in.
Kudos James Mtendamema for society engagement