CANADORE COLLEGE
Human potential in action at the Canadore Innovation Challenge

More than 150 students with a passion for making a difference participated in Canadore College's inaugural Innovation Challenge. This one-day event featured a pitch competition in which 28 teams of students and community members devised innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

"I believe in the power of collaboration to drive change," said Michael Komsa, a second-year student in the Mechanical Engineering Technological program who participated in the Innovation Challenge. "This is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and harness our collective creativity to tackle pressing issues."

The teams focused on creating solutions in five key areas: 

• Affordable Housing;
• Community Revitalization and Sustainable Development;
• Food Security;
• Health Challenges and Artificial Intelligence (AI); and
• Mobilizing Clean Water.

The Innovation Challenge offered a new approach to the traditional pitch competition. Student teams were given just a few hours to develop and refine their ideas before presenting them to a panel of judges representing various sectors of the business and entrepreneurial community. The top teams then had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the entire group of participants.

"At the end of the day it's all about the impact," said Karen Jones-Gibbons, a North Bay based business management consultant who was a challenge judge. "It's about their ability to articulate the solution that's going to solve the problem for the ideal audience, whoever that might be."

"The Canadore Innovation Challenge was an exercise in putting human potential into concrete action," said George Burton, President and CEO. "This event highlights a strategic approach to experiential learning, career development, and the fundamentals of research and entrepreneurship. It is designed to promote innovative thinking while addressing key issues that impact sustainability and development in Northern Ontario communities."

The Innovation Challenge attracted some big name support from the business and entrepreneurial community in Canada and internationally. Keynote speakers Jairek Robbins, successful performance coach and best selling author, Shawn Kanungo, globally recognized strategist, and Emmanuel Pacheco, head of Central Greenfield Acquisitions at Google Cloud engaged with the audience and shared thought-provoking ideas and inspiring words during the day's agenda.  Financier Michael Wekerle, Indigenous entrepreneur Dr. Shyra Barberstock, and entrepreneur Vijay Kanwar joined North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce President Donna Backer, and Director of Canadore's First Peoples' Centre Sarah Julian on the judges panel.

"When you're young you're fearless and you think nothing can stop you, nothing can slow you," said Roger Rai, Vice Chairman of the Toronto Blue Jays and Senior Vice President at Macquarie Group who also helped to judge the proposals. "Challenges like this help put fuel on their fire to think more. And I think that's the beauty. I always say, the risk takers are usually young because when you get older you get worried about getting hurt or you worry about the financial implications. I think these forums are great for motivating and getting [young people] to push harder."

The Innovation Challenge produced a winning team in each of its focus areas:

1. Mobilizing Clean Water: The winning team proposed a rainwater and snow collection system as a pilot project to provide clean water to Indigenous communities.
2. Community Revitalization and Sustainable Development: This team developed a digital community app that helps newcomers connect with local people and services.
3. Food Security: The team suggested building a campus greenhouse to supply fresh food for students.
4. Health and AI: The team introduced an AI-powered app aimed at promoting health and wellness.
5. Affordable Housing: The winning team designed a modular housing plan incorporating shared and personal green spaces.

Each team won $5,000 for their project and will now receive support to develop full business plan proposals.