Four Ventures Receive $9000 in Funding to Drive Social and Environmental Change
by Davandra Earle, Communications Officer
The 34th GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase, held last Wednesday at United College, brought together over 50 community members and social innovators from across the University of ݮƵ and the broader community. The event highlighted student entrepreneurs committed to tackling pressing global and local challenges, with four standout ventures receiving funding to propel their initiatives forward.
Director of GreenHouse, Tania Del Matto, reflected on the event’s impact, stating, "As our flagship event, the Social Impact Showcase celebrates the inspiring spirit of our changemaker community while creating valuable opportunities for students and community members to forge meaningful connections for future collaboration."
A Look at the Winning Ventures receiving Social Impact Funding
$1,500 Award Winners
One of the first pitches of the evening came from Amelia Upper, a student from the Faculty of Environment, whose project, Restoration Raw Materials, was awarded $1,500. Amelia shared how her co-op experience in ecological restoration sparked her idea: rather than allowing removed invasive species to re-establish themselves, she proposed transforming the biomass into raw materials like lumber and particle board. The project aims to support sustainable material use while aiding environmental restoration efforts.
Another $1,500 award went to Mitziana Pillai, a Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) student, for her project The Cloud Catchers. She captivated the audience with her innovative approach to water scarcity in Nepal, where landslides and flooding have severely damaged water supply systems. Her modular, 3D fog collectors are designed to withstand strong winds and require less space than traditional models. With her funding, she hopes to launch a pilot project in Nepal to bring reliable water access to remote communities.
$3,000 Award Winners
Nicholas Cheng, from the School of Pharmacy, took home one of the $3,000 awards for his company Evolv Biotech Inc. and its groundbreaking solution, Aqua Potential. His innovation uses advanced nanoparticles to clean toxic tailings ponds in the oil and mining industries, reducing cleanup time from decades to hours.
Olivia Vento, a student of Psychology and Medical Physiology, was also awarded $3,000 for her project Piece of Mind. Olivia’s heartfelt pitch focused on improving cognitive function and social connection among seniors through puzzles designed specifically for them. Her goal is to combat loneliness and enhance the quality of life for older adults, and she plans to use the funding to develop prototypes and test them in retirement homes and senior centers.
In addition to the top awards, four students were recognized with Changemaker Awards, each receiving $250 for their contributions to social innovation.
Principal of United College, Rick Myers, expressed his pride in GreenHouse’s continued impact, stating, "It is truly inspiring to see the passion and creativity of these students as they tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. GreenHouse continues to be a catalyst for meaningful change, empowering students to turn their ideas into impactful solutions”.
For students interested in making social or environmental change, the GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase is held every fall and winter term. To learn more and start your own venture, visit the United College website.