After winning the Innovation and Impact Challenge at the regional competition in March, the enterprising and creative Enactus Camosun College team overcame the odds of a first-year team at the national competition in Toronto on May 14 to 16, 2024. Enactus Camosun placed in the top four and took home the Rookie Team Award.
Advancing to the national finals was a big accomplishment for a team that has been together for only seven months and competing against established university teams from across the country. In the final round, the team went up against eventual national winners, Saint Mary's University. The other finalists included Toronto Metropolitan University and Wilfrid Laurier University.
"Enactus Camosun has burst onto the scene and the other schools have certainly taken note of us as proper contenders," says team president Max Hintz. "We achieved something truly remarkable together and it feels so satisfying to have it recognized and bring recognition to Camosun. It was also really heartwarming to receive support and encouragement from the other schools, even our direct competitors."
The team presented their Campus Quisine meal kit project which garnered attention and accolades at the regional competition. Backed by extensive market research, the healthy and affordable meal kit is designed to help overcome food insecurity among students and be a response to increased cost of living and high food prices. In the finals presentation, the team also had opportunity to showcase aspirations for future projects in the areas of active transportation and youth leadership and engagement.
"The Campus Quisine project has been a win for both the Enactus Camosun team and for the college community," says Steven Rumpel, Associate Dean of Camosun College's School of Business. "This team identified a problem, thought of a solution, engaged with the college community and executed their vision in a way that used strong business and entrepreneurship fundamentals, showcasing that their efforts have the capacity to sustain themselves. Our collective congratulations go to all members of the team for the success of their project this year and the recognition of this at both regional and national competitions, and additionally to our Enactus Faculty Advisors that have supported the team throughout this journey! What an amazing first year for Enactus Camosun!"
"While it is unusual for a team to be as successful as the Camosun team has been in their first year, we were not surprised that they have had such impressive results at their first National competition," says Catherine Fowler from Enactus Canada. "Their success is a testament to the incredibly hard work they have put into their project together in such a short time."
The win shines the spotlight on the Enactus group and projects, along with the need for affordable sources of healthy and nutritious food for post-secondary students. In the Fall, Enactus Camosun will start producing 50 meal kits per month to help address this issue. The team is still recruiting members and refining the project to provide the most benefit for students.
Stay tuned for additional details coming soon about how to join or support Enactus Camosun and/or one of the exciting projects being planned for the coming year!
Enactus is a global network of student leaders committed to using business principles, innovation and entrepreneurship to make a positive social impact, with chapters in 33 countries and a membership base of 42,450 students.
The Enactus team aligns with Camosun College's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan goal of Responding to Community Needs - by making it possible for students to excel in building relationships that serve the college community and their peers - and is a key objective under the School of Business's Socially Responsible Management strategy outlined in Camosun's Education Plan 2023-2028.
