Last week, a dynamic group of 19 students from Saint Mary's University, Acadia University, Dalhousie University and Mount Saint Vincent University joined forces in an Innovation Sprint to address a real-world challenge faced by L'Arche Homefires, a local organization dedicated to creating inclusive communities for adults with developmental disabilities. Innovation Sprints are led by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, a leader in bringing students and businesses together to solve problems.
L'Arche Homefires offers a variety of programs, including Applewicks, where adults with special needs create beautiful handmade products, such as candles, to generate revenue. However, the organization was seeking innovative solutions to enhance its online presence, optimize its retail operations, and increase foot traffic.
Through a series of collaborative workshops, brainstorming sessions, and expert mentorship, the students delved into the heart of L'Arche Homefires' challenges. They explored potential strategies to address major concerns around sales and growth strategy for their store and helped build a strong business plan.
A team of students Iram Shaikh and Pari Mehra from Saint Mary's and Noof Al Shehhi from Dalhousie impressed L'Arche Homefires with an innovative solution. They built a list of proposed weekly activities and a timeline from November to December, improving brand awareness and increasing revenue streams. At the end of the day, the team ultimately won first place with a $1,000 cash prize.
Participating students said, "Learning everything about L'Arche Homefires was very impactful." "Having the learning experience with L'Arche Homefires, but also learning about a part of our community was incredible." "A major takeaway is that practice will make progress." By participating in Innovation Sprints, students gained invaluable practical skills, made connections with industry professionals and contributed to the growth and success of local businesses.
About Innovation Sprint
Innovation Sprint is a short, focused event that brings business and keen, creative students together to generate ideas and solutions to business problems. During the Innovation Sprint, participants:
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engage in time-sensitive bursts of intensive problem-solving and developing business solutions;
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receive insightful resources and mentorship, helping them address business challenges;
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learn how to facilitate rapid and effective outputs to challenges they may face in their business. This is a unique entrepreneurial experience that can be translated into their own chosen fields;
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collaborate with students from across Atlantic Canada from various faculties and disciplines.
At the end of the Sprint, businesses choose the winning teams. First-place winners receive $1,000, second-place winners receive $700, and third-place winners receive $300.
