STUdents Shine with First and Third Place Wins at Impact X Summit Pitch Competition

Two teams of STUdents from the BUSI 1003: Introduction to Social Enterprise course excelled at Impact X: A Summit on Entrepreneurship & Social Change, securing first and third place in the one-minute pitch competition and earning funding for their social enterprises.  

 

Competing against 75 students from across Maritime Canada, the students used their entrepreneurial skills to develop business ventures addressing social change. 

 

"Having our hard work and dedication recognized at this level was incredibly rewarding. Knowing successful social entrepreneurs believed in our idea has inspired me to pursue this new path with passion," said Emily Lynch, a first-year STUdent from Clarenville, Newfoundland. 

 

Drawing on their in-class entrepreneurship skills, the STU teams assessed feasibility, identified target markets, and shaped their ideas into viable ventures. They delivered impactful 1-minute elevator pitches to a panel of judges. 

 

Business with a Purpose: Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Management at STU

 

The Social Enterprise course at STU played a pivotal role in the teams' success. Lynch credited the course, along with STU's supportive environment, peer tutors, and professors, for fostering creativity and innovation. 

 

"The Social Enterprise course is filled with ideas and inspiration about what's possible," said Lynch. 

 

"Being at STU, with its welcoming atmosphere and supportive professors, has shaped me into someone who strives for success and innovation." 

 

First-Place Team - Visible: Advocacy for Invisible Disabilities 

 

The winning team of Olivia Leblanc and Ana Sofia Garcia Moreno presented a social enterprise focused on empowering individuals with invisible disabilities through educational campaigns and innovative products aimed at reducing stigma and fostering inclusivity. 

 

"We wanted to create a solution that empowers individuals while also reducing societal stigma and educating people," said Leblanc, a first-year STUdent from Yarmouth, NS. 

 

"The dual focus on education and products sets us apart. Many organizations focus on one area, but we combine both to educate the public and provide meaningful resources for those with invisible disabilities," she said. 

 

For finishing first, the duo earned $1,000 to fund their social enterprise. 

 

Third-Place Team: Accessible Recipe Solutions 

 

The third-place team of Emily Lynch, Blessing Longuma, Harsimran Kaur, Gursharanpreet Kaur, and Summer Keigan proposed illustrated recipe cards designed for community food programs, featuring visual instructions and an accompanying YouTube channel to support individuals with low literacy or language barriers. 

 

"Our goal is to make resources more accessible and user-friendly," said Lynch. 

 

"Impact X was the highlight of my first semester and has inspired us to continue pursuing social innovation. This recognition fuels our passion for creating change." 

 

The Accessible Recipe Solution team earned $400 of funding for their third-place finish.