Young innovators showcase ventures at OppFest

The next generation of young entrepreneurs gathered at SFU Surrey on Thursday, March 28, 2019, for the ninth annual Opportunity Fest (OppFest) event. Competitors from many SFU faculties, as well as high-school entrepreneurs, showcased their innovative ventures and vied for prizes in a range of categories at the largest OppFest event yet, sponsored by Westminster Savings and presented by SFU’s Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship.

The overall grand prize winner for the venture that best exemplifies commitment to a Triple Bottom Line – taking into consideration People, Planet and Profit – was won by Foodsavour, a product developed to help consumers reduce food waste and save money.

Teams from more than 50 ventures presented their ideas to expert judges, drawn from the world of business, entrepreneurship, the community and the University. The entrants reflected SFU’s commitment to making a positive impact in the world, with many applicants in categories relating to social enterprise. Participants competed in categories tackling four issues: Community Health; Future of Work & Networks; Waste Reduction; and Social General.

“This event very much sums up the Chang Institute, Beedie and SFU’s approach to entrepreneurship: deeply-engaged with our incredible community and each other, driven to inspire and support, and approaching the challenges that concern us most with tenacity, ambition and collaboration.,” says Sarah Lubik, SFU’s Director of Entrepreneurship.

The event also included pre-university entrepreneurship programs YELL and Powerplay giving local elementary high school students the opportunity to showcase their own projects and gain advice to help them make their ideas a reality. For the first time this year junior judges were also included among the approximately 60 judges scoring the innovation.

Winners in each category were awarded $500 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place. Triple Bottom Line winners were awarded $1,000 while Junior Innovators received SFU hoodies.

The full list of winners in each category is as follows:

Triple Bottom Line: Foodsavour

Future of Work and Networks Category:

1st: Team ‘Ohana

2nd: Pave your way

3rd: Excelerate Robotics

Community Health Category:

1st: Team Real

2nd: Alter

3rd: Nanofi

Waste Reduction Category:

1st: PINE

2nd: Creamer Pods

3rd: Grab&Go

Social General Category:

1st: Loopd

2nd: Dashy

3rd: Know2Rent

Junior Innovator: Foodprint

YELL: Foodprint

PowerPlay: Delightful Donuts

Entrepreneurs’ Choice: Mentors

Read more about the competitors at the OppFest website: https://beedie.sfu.ca/oppfest/competitors