
Highlights from the 2017 Enactus Canada National Competition
Quick Facts Results
- National Champion:
Memorial University of Newfoundland - Second Place:
University of Ottawa - Third Place:
Saint Mary’s University - Fourth Place:
Ryerson University
The 2016 Enactus World Cup Champions, from Memorial University of Newfoundland, will have the chance to defend their title in London this year, after being named the 2017 Enactus Canada National Champions.
Over three rounds of competition, 61 teams proudly shared the positive impact they’ve had using entrepreneurial action with panels of executives serving as judges. Nearly 145 judges in the opening round narrowed the field to the semi-final teams; the 54 judges in those leagues had the difficult task of selecting the final four teams to present on the main stage to 57 of Canada’s top business leaders.
Stunning presentation on all the great work that we created #changematters #ggf #inspiring #EnactusNationals #enactusgbc @Enactus_Canada pic.twitter.com/JfFfQ4lvaF
— Enactus George Brown (@enactusgbc) May 10, 2017
The Scotiabank judges are being blown away by the @Enactus_Canada students. #EnactusNationals pic.twitter.com/AUxesuqRpl
— Terri Williams (@terriand) May 10, 2017
Came in 2nd for opening rounds of #EnactusNationals! Proud of our achievement! Huge thx to @DalhousieNNCE, @ORhetorBinod & @scharleb pic.twitter.com/nQqz2tEhxI
— Enactus Dalhousie (@EnactusDAL) May 11, 2017
@enactusacadiau team progresses to the semi finals tomorrow! Top 20 out of 60+ competitors! @AcadiaU @launchboxNS #enactusnationals pic.twitter.com/WTHX36H6uX
— Tom Dalmazzi (@TomDalmazzi) May 11, 2017
In the end, Enactus MUN once again hoisted the cup, impressing judges with their Project Sucseed, a social enterprise that tackles fresh food accessibility in Canada’s far north. The team designed an inexpensive hydroponic unit to help individuals grow fresh food at home, and partnered with a local charity to provide at-risk youth with jobs manufacturing the units. The champion announcement was streamed live on Facebook – watch it below!
What an inspiring afternoon congratulations to @MemorialU your winner and all the teams @Enactus_Canada #EnactusNationals #BrightFuture pic.twitter.com/cD3srbcQar
— Mauro Manzi (@MauroManzi_TD) May 11, 2017
Amazing team from @MemorialU national champions of @Enactus_Canada #EnactusNationals Honoured to have been judging pic.twitter.com/wY4vqyvktp
— DJ Brisebois-RCC (@loveretail) May 11, 2017
But this was so much more than a competition. The three-day event, which took place in Vancouver for the first time, kicked off with an exciting opening ceremony, complete with a parade by province and the national anthem performed by a student. Chairman Ian Aitken gave the opening welcome, then attendees were treated to a keynote address from Donna Morton, Co-Founder and CEO of Change Finance, who shared her personal story as a lifelong serial social entrepreneur and how she developed a business that creates financial products that tackle social issues.
At the enactus national expo opening ceremonies: Ian Aiken from Dobson Fdtn.’s opening address! @AcadiaU @launchboxNS #EnactusNationals pic.twitter.com/nzk7HfNNoU
— Tom Dalmazzi (@TomDalmazzi) May 10, 2017
Shout out to Gizelle from our team on her performance at opening ceremonies this evening! You blew us all away #EnactusNationals pic.twitter.com/IUrSyYSF3T
— Enactus Dalhousie (@EnactusDAL) May 10, 2017
Donna Morton speaking at @Enactus_Canada #BLESSUP pic.twitter.com/tKLzzGnOzS
— The Social Shift (@the_socialshift) May 10, 2017
What do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? #EnactusNationals pic.twitter.com/NMtus6ZOcw
— Vivian Chan (@vchan) May 10, 2017
With the spirit of collaboration in mind, attendees had numerous opportunities to come together and explore relevant topics and ideas, including the HSBC Women’s Leadership Forum, where they discussed mentorship and its role in the success of young professionals; the HR Innovation Forum that explored recruiting disruptors; and the Executive Forum, which included a student leader on the panel, that challenged participants to discuss innovation and how to foster it.
Our own @liisamarjatta shares the importance of mentoring tomorrow’s female leaders #EnactusNationals pic.twitter.com/15ScMhTswY
— 3M Canada (@3M_Canada) May 11, 2017
Had a great time at the @Enactus_Canada #EnactusNationals executive forum! Proud of our president @rajin_shokar pic.twitter.com/KrkZthqTXq
— Enactus SFU (@EnactusSFU) May 11, 2017
And there was no shortage of celebration throughout the event, with numerous awards handed out to recognize both individual and team achievements. One of the largest was the Student Entrepreneur National Champion, presented to Amr Abdelgawad from the University of Waterloo, who received a $10,000 prize thanks to the John Dobson Foundation.
.@enactus_smu receives the 3M Canada Problem Solving Project Partnership Award! Congrats! #EnactusNationals https://t.co/ufOBlvd96W pic.twitter.com/kQ7siRxBz0
— 3M Canada (@3M_Canada) May 10, 2017
Enactus Grenfell team wins Spirit of Enactus award at the National competition in Vancouver!!! Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/INUFxXdXzG
— GO Engagement (@GoEngagement) May 11, 2017
Congratulations to Nuha Siddiqui for being named the 2017 #HSBCWomanLeaderofTomorrow! @HSBC_CA https://t.co/U8LeOt3oz1 pic.twitter.com/TJwGHwZe6G
— Enactus Canada (@Enactus_Canada) May 11, 2017
Congrats Amr Abdelgawad, owner of @NERvTech, from @UWaterloo, on winning $10,000 at @Enactus_Canada #EnactusNationals! See you in the Den! pic.twitter.com/unz3ZHIZ4j
— Michele Romanow (@MicheleRomanow) May 11, 2017
Want more from the Enactus Canada National Exposition? There’s no shortage of media coverage and online posts for you to check out, such as this great television interview by one of the participating teams, this blog post by an Enactus Canada board member, and this detailed recap from the Enactus Canada team.
Late night and early morning practice. Just a peek at the hard work of our #Enactus @durhamcollege team, in beautiful, Vancouver! pic.twitter.com/6Od6YAp4i2
— FastStart DC (@FastStartDC) May 10, 2017
A truly inspiring day experiencing the future of socially responsible business @Enactus_Canada pic.twitter.com/FFl9VK1K8u
— 3M Canada (@3M_Canada) May 11, 2017
#EnactusNationals #vancouver #Burnaby #bdc I was lucky enough to have Judged this week. Amazing talent we have in our young People!!!
— Stuart Freeman (@Stuart_Freeman1) May 12, 2017
Judging day 2 of @Enactus_Canada nat’l competition. Some amazing presentations by inspired students. Future is in good hands w/ these kids!
— Ted Cadigan (@TedCadigan) May 10, 2017