ICUBE / en Domes near Highland Creek Valley offer a space to link Indigenous knowledge, community and entrepreneurship /news/domes-near-highland-creek-valley-offer-space-link-indigenous-knowledge-community-and <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Domes near Highland Creek Valley offer a space to link Indigenous knowledge, community and entrepreneurship</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-04/_MG_3442-xrop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=xnRCl5Wf 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-04/_MG_3442-xrop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=NNOu7nGW 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-04/_MG_3442-xrop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=LERf_5rG 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-04/_MG_3442-xrop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=xnRCl5Wf" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-04-25T16:05:35-04:00" title="Thursday, April 25, 2024 - 16:05" class="datetime">Thu, 04/25/2024 - 16:05</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>(From left) Lindy Kinoshameg, Jillian Sutherland and Leslie McCue from the dance group Odawa Wiingushk performed at an opening ceremony for the Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Garden Project (all photos by Junyoung Moon)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/alexa-battler" hreflang="en">Alexa Battler</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">The domes, located at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough, are being constructed as part of the Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Garden Project</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Four 24-foot domes resembling giant golf balls have been erected beside the tennis courts in the Highland Creek Valley at the University of Toronto Scarborough ā€“ high-tech greenhouses equipped with solar panels, irrigation systems and geothermal tubes that run deep underground.</p> <p>The domes were constructed as part of the Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Garden Project, an initiative that aims to offer a hands-on complement to the <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thebridge/indigenous-entrepreneurship-redbird-circle">Indigenous Entrepreneurship Workshops</a>, which begin this September and are designed to help students and community members connect Indigenous knowledge, community and entrepreneurship.</p> <p>The workshops were co-created ā€“ and will be taught ā€“ by <strong>Jonathon Araujo Redbird</strong>, a business leader from Saugeen First Nation who runs Redbird Circle Inc., a company specializing in entrepreneurship training based on Indigenous knowledges and values. Theyā€™re being offered in partnership with Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarboroughā€™s The BRIDGE and Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississaugaā€™s ICUBE accelerators.</p> <p>ā€œWe want Indigenous youth to come here and make it their second home and learn about the land, how to grow produce from the land and how we can learn entrepreneurship through that process,ā€ says Redbird, who co-founded Redbird Circle with <strong>Christina Tachtampa</strong>.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-04/_MG_3397-crop.jpg?itok=0-RjG72H" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>The four domes are connected both physically </em>ā€“<em> through an accessible pathway </em>ā€“<em> and thematically</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Redbird Circle first&nbsp;partnered with ICUBE in 2021 <a href="/news/u-t-mississauga-launches-indigenous-entrepreneurship-program">to offer the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program</a>. The company then collaborated with the Indigenous Network non-profit to bring the idea of a garden project to life, with the help of a grant from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund.</p> <p>The series comprises a free, virtual 12-week program modelled on the medicine wheel ā€“ an Indigenous symbol of balance between physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.</p> <p>The medicine wheel also inspired the themes for the domes, which are interconnected and will stay at a humid 35 degrees C year-round.</p> <p>The first dome will be dedicated to growing crops that support wellness, while the second will be used to test ways to rejuvenate soil without using chemicals. The third dome will be used to teach entrepreneurship through crops and to find ways to turn produce into high-yield sources of income for Indigenous people and communities.</p> <p>Finally, dome four will be devoted to experimenting with agriculture technologies, starting with vertical farming equipment made by Ā鶹ֱ²„app startup&nbsp;Just Vertical.</p> <p>All four domes will be accessible for people using mobility devices and entirely self-sustaining when construction finishes in the coming months.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-04/_MG_3524-crop.jpg?itok=-h7qlbW5" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Jonathon Araujo Redbird (centre) spoke to community members at the opening ceremony in April</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Redbird, who grew up in the&nbsp;Gabriel Dumont housing complex&nbsp;in Scarborough, says he has experienced how difficult it can be for Indigenous people to stay connected to the land on urban reserves. He adds Indigenous people face an added obstacle to building intergenerational wealth in the form of the Indian Act, which he says makes it challenging to borrow money and impossible to trade land with people outside their communities.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œIf Indigenous people want to build intergenerational wealth,&nbsp;the only way to do that is to leave our traditional lands and come to the cities,ā€ he says. ā€œAnd when we do come to the cities, the prices are very high to purchase a home.ā€&nbsp;</p> <p>But Redbird says entrepreneurial thinking can play a role in empowering Indigenous people, with agriculture providing one important avenue.&nbsp;</p> <p>While the workshop series is designed for Indigenous learners, it is open to anyone interested in traditional Indigenous knowledge and entrepreneurship, with community members encouraged to share their thoughts on how they envision the domesā€™ layouts and uses.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-04/_MG_3473-crop.jpg?itok=Kh19O61Z" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>The opening ceremony invited local community members to give their feedback on their visions for the domes</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>ā€œThis is a space thatā€™s very much been created and will continue to be improved upon through that consultative approach and listening to community feedback,ā€ says&nbsp;<strong>Arjuna Thaskaran</strong>,&nbsp;industry partnerships, innovation and work-integrated learning lead at The BRIDGE. ā€œItā€™s about having the community take ownership of the space and drive how they want to shape it.ā€</p> <p>Various academic departments have expressed interest in collaborating on the program. ā€œThere are discussions with several programs about Indigenizing some of the current projects and curriculum, and learning about sustainability through Indigenous approaches to urban agriculture,ā€ says&nbsp;<strong>Dave Fenton</strong>, assistant director of external relations in Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarboroughā€™s department of management.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:05:35 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 307506 at Through entrepreneurship and mentorship, Ā鶹ֱ²„app grad leaves a mark on his community /news/through-entrepreneurship-and-mentorship-u-t-grad-leaves-mark-his-community <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Through entrepreneurship and mentorship, Ā鶹ֱ²„app grad leaves a mark on his community</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-03/Michael-Owusu-portrait-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=7o2Uoa-H 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-03/Michael-Owusu-portrait-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=-IfGWKOW 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-03/Michael-Owusu-portrait-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=pnln69sv 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-03/Michael-Owusu-portrait-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=7o2Uoa-H" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-03-04T12:17:48-05:00" title="Monday, March 4, 2024 - 12:17" class="datetime">Mon, 03/04/2024 - 12:17</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Michael Owusu, who graduated from Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga's Digital Enterprise Management program, is creating an app that can streamline the process of drafting wills (supplied photo)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/keerat-gill" hreflang="en">Keerat Gill</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-secondary-author-reporter field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/carla-demarco" hreflang="en">Carla DeMarco</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">'It's about finding the opportunities and support'</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Michael Owusu</strong> was years into a career with the Bank of Montreal when a chance conversation with a client prompted him to reconsider his future.</p> <p>ā€œI thought to myself, ā€˜If Iā€™m not really enjoying my job or if Iā€™m not really seeing opportunities, if I go back to school for four or five years ā€“ in reality, what are four or five years in the grand scheme of my life?ā€™ā€ says Owusu, who earned an associate degree in broadcast journalism from Sheridan College. ā€œThat realization put me on the trajectory of enrolling back in school.ā€&nbsp;</p> <p>In 2018, Owusu enrolled at the University of Toronto Mississauga as a mature student in the Digital Enterprise Management (DEM) program. It was during the program's fourth-year technological entrepreneurship class that he came up with the idea for <a href="https://pitch.com/public/b8067d56-651f-4b94-9974-cf6bdb0236ad/1faa0bac-ca34-4b95-97d7-fc009ffb5a6c">Willify ā€“ an app that can streamline the process of drafting a will</a>.</p> <p>Owusu says there are significant barriers to drafting a will, particularly for young people and members of marginalized communities. ā€œThereā€™s a huge unmet need for will-drafting. Given my previous work in banking and government, Iā€™ve seen how not having a will can be so detrimental to peopleā€™s lives, no matter their age.ā€</p> <p>In January 2023, Willify was accepted into the early-stage program at ICUBE, Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississaugaā€™s social entrepreneurship accelerator and incubator. The following month, the company placed among the top five finalists out of 40 competing startups at the <a href="https://icubeutm.ca/sauga-pitch/">Sauga Start-up Pitch Competition</a>.</p> <p>Owusu, who graduated from the DEM program in spring 2023, now works at the Canada Revenue Agency as a coaching specialist in learning and development. Meanwhile, he continues to work on Willify, with an ambitious goal in mind ā€“ helping one million users in Canada draft a will using the application.</p> <p>Owusu credits ICUBE with helping him expand his knowledge of design and prototyping, which helped him realize his ideas for Willify. The experience also reinforced his entrepreneurial aspirations. ā€œIf you have an idea, if you want to do something, you can make it happen. It's about finding the opportunities and support,ā€ he says.</p> <p>Owusu is also keen to provide support to others, particularly those who are at the beginning of their academic and career journeys. While at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga, he got involved with the <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/iccit/student-resources/iccit-student-mentorship-program">Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology (ICCIT) Student Mentorship Program.</a> ā€œI wanted to get involved in ICCIT because I had real-world professional experience, and I wanted to share that with other students in DEM,ā€ says Owusu, adding that witnessing their development first-hand was very rewarding.&nbsp;</p> <p>For Owusu, the human aspect of connecting with people and aiding their progress is hugely satisfying, and something he enjoys in his job with the CRA. ā€œWhether itā€™s training someone new to the learning development community and seeing them experience that ā€˜ahaā€™ moment or coaching someone and having them significantly improve throughout the session ā€“ itā€™s a great thing to see and a great place to be.ā€&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:17:48 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 306541 at The future of takeout? Ā鶹ֱ²„app startup partners with restaurants to offer reusable containers /news/future-takeout-u-t-startup-partners-restaurants-offer-reusable-containers <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">The future of takeout? Ā鶹ֱ²„app startup partners with restaurants to offer reusable containers </span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/inwit-takeout-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5EosGzGg 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/inwit-takeout-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=0NuJoNtV 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/inwit-takeout-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=IMLNqZAn 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/inwit-takeout-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5EosGzGg" alt="people hold Inwit's reusable takeout containers filled with food while eating in the park"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-03-07T16:29:34-05:00" title="Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - 16:29" class="datetime">Tue, 03/07/2023 - 16:29</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Inwit, a startup supported by Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga's ICUBE incubator, has partnered with 16 Toronto restaurants to offer takeout meals in reusable stainless steel containers (photo courtesy of Inwit)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/kristy-strauss" hreflang="en">Kristy Strauss</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship-week" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship Week</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Mo Tahvili&nbsp;</strong>says juggling&nbsp;a marketing business, a startup and computer science studies at the University of Toronto is all part of building a better tomorrow.</p> <div class="image-with-caption left"> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/Mohammad%20Inwit.png" style="width: 250px; height: 250px;"><br> <em>Mo Tahvili</em></p> </div> <p>ā€œIā€™ve always had an interest in doing something that has a good cause and will benefit the future ā€“ whether it is sustainability, or diversity and equity,ā€ says Tahvili, who will receive a bachelor of science degree from Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga this spring.</p> <p>Tahvili is a co-founder and chief technology officer of&nbsp;<a href="https://inwit.ca/">Inwit</a>, a Toronto startup that is dedicated to offering waste-free takeout.&nbsp;</p> <p>Inwit ā€“ <a href="/news/u-t-entrepreneurs-credit-adams-sustainability-innovation-prize-energizing-sun-care-startup">a recent&nbsp;finalist in Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s&nbsp;Adams Sustainability Innovation Prize&nbsp;competition</a> ā€“ currently partners with 16 Toronto restaurants to offer takeout meals in reusable stainless steel containers. Inwit also offers a sustainable catering option, where corporate customers can order in advance for a work meeting or event. Through the Inwit web app, users can also order on-demand waste-free takeout from these restaurants, which will package their takeout in Inwitā€™s reusable containers.</p> <p>If customers return their containers within seven days, they receive ā€œimpact points.ā€ The points are rewards that can be used as discounts at Inwitā€™s participating restaurants. For example, someone who has earned 40,000 points&nbsp;can receive $10 off their next order.</p> <p>ā€œWe inspire people to take climate action on the issue of single-use plastics and waste in the takeout industry,ā€ says Erika Reyes, the companyā€™s president and co-founder.</p> <p>Reyes says she was inspired to start the business in an effort to address&nbsp;climate change and the high levels of single-use plastics usage in the food industry. She recruited business partner ClĆ©ment Bureau during Inwitā€™s pilot phase.</p> <p>To complete their team, Reyes and Bureau sought someone who&nbsp;shared&nbsp;their passion for making the takeout industry waste-free&nbsp;and who could improve the companyā€™s online platform. They ultimately connected with Tahvili in 2021, when Inwit joined the Venture Forward program at ICUBE, Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississaugaā€™s entrepreneurship hub.</p> <p>ā€œI was a work study [at ICUBE], working mainly as a tech person ... and in some scenarios, helping with coding, marketing or any branding that startups need,ā€ Tahvili says, adding that he was excited to work with&nbsp;a startup that he felt passionate about.&nbsp;ā€œThis was a perfect opportunity for me to get myself into this industry, and into the sustainability effort,ā€ Tahvili says. ā€œI feel good about what Iā€™m doing as an entrepreneur.ā€</p> <p>ā€œWe all have the same mission. In the end, itā€™s the same cause weā€™re all fighting for.ā€&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/inwit-takeout2-crop.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;"></p> <p><em>A disposable container, left,&nbsp;vs Inwit's reusable container (photo courtesy of Inwit)</em></p> <p>Tahvili will join Reyes and Bureau as they pitch their startup during the&nbsp;<a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/2023-desjardins-startup-prize-pitch-competition/">Desjardins Startup Prize Pitch Competition</a> on&nbsp;March 9 ā€“ part of <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/events/entrepreneurship-week/">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Entrepreneurship Week</a>.&nbsp;The competition&nbsp;awards $100,000 in prizes to recognize, reward&nbsp;and accelerate the universityā€™s most innovative startups.</p> <p>ā€œWe have heard a lot of positive feedback on our practice rounds before, so Iā€™m excited,ā€ says Tahvili. ā€œIā€™m also going to see a lot of familiar faces from working at ICUBE, and Iā€™m excited to show them the pitch.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 07 Mar 2023 21:29:34 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 180564 at International Womenā€™s Day: What's happening across Ā鶹ֱ²„app's three campuses /news/international-women-s-day-what-s-happening-across-u-t-s-three-campuses <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">International Womenā€™s Day: What's happening across Ā鶹ֱ²„app's three campuses</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT91500_DSC05755-21-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=552TVF2r 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT91500_DSC05755-21-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=OFFH7Lg1 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT91500_DSC05755-21-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=XmWYH4WL 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT91500_DSC05755-21-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=552TVF2r" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-03-06T13:38:00-05:00" title="Monday, March 6, 2023 - 13:38" class="datetime">Mon, 03/06/2023 - 13:38</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Matthew Dochstader/Paradox Images)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship-week" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship Week</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hub" hreflang="en">The Hub</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-kinesiology-physical-education" hreflang="en">Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-law" hreflang="en">Faculty of Law</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-music" hreflang="en">Faculty of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/international-women-s-day" hreflang="en">International Women's Day</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/iran" hreflang="en">Iran</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>International Womenā€™s Day on March 8 is an opportunity to come together to&nbsp;celebrate womenā€™s social, cultural and political accomplishments&nbsp;ā€“ and to reflect on the challenges and work that lie&nbsp;ahead.</p> <p>This yearā€™s theme is <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme">Embrace Equity</a>, which aims to spark conversations around the world about why equal opportunities arenā€™t enough and how true inclusion requires equitable action.</p> <p>Ā鶹ֱ²„app is hosting events across the three campuses featuring inspirational leaders and student groups. Here is a snapshot of whatā€™s happening this week:</p> <hr> <h4><a href="https://music.utoronto.ca/concerts-events.php?eid=3809&amp;cDate=2023-03-06" target="_blank"><b>Jazz and Justice: Transformative, Equitable Futures in Music</b></a></h4> <p>The Faculty of Music is holding a panel discussion on the pathway for equitable futures in music with faculty&nbsp;Dean&nbsp;<b>Ellie Hisama</b>,&nbsp;<b>Beth Coleman</b>, an associate professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga, and Grammy award-winning jazz artist Terri Lyne Carrington. The event is on March 6 at 3 p.m. inside Walter Hall on the St. George campus.</p> <h4><a href="https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home/utsceventaggregator.htm?eventId=50662&amp;action=displayGlobalEventDetails"><b>Crowns for Change: Flower Crowns</b></a></h4> <p>The International Student Centre (ISC) at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough invites students to make a beautiful flower crown, take photos with new friends and learn more about powerful female leaders who are making a difference around the world. The event takes place on March 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Highland Hall Event Centre.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lecture-me-learning-technology-systems-in-everyday-life-tickets-487631698537" target="_blank"><b>Learning Technology Systems in Everyday Life: Womenā€™s Experiences Navigating Refugee Resettlement</b></a></h4> <p><b>Negin Dahya, </b>assistant professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga, is participating in the Lecture Me series, which highlights research from different faculty at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga. The virtual event will take place on March 7 from 7 to 8:15 p.m.</p> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-womens-day-webinar-tickets-551685535287" target="_blank"><b>International Womenā€™s Day Webinar</b></a></h4> <p><b><img alt src="/sites/default/files/images_456075239_1090677056723_1_original.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 375px;"></b></p> <p>The Faculty of Law is hosting a panel discussion moderated by the Women and Law student group on March 8 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The event features Ā鶹ֱ²„app alumnae&nbsp;<b>Cherie Brant</b>, national leader for the Indigenous law group at Borden Ladner Gervais, <strong>Rita Maxwell</strong>, a judge on the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and <strong>Maria Zeldis</strong>, senior vice president legal at Onni Group of Companies.</p> <h4><a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/pitch-with-a-twist-2/" target="_blank"><b>Pitch with a Twist</b></a></h4> <p>Part of Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/events/entrepreneurship-week/">Entrepreneurship Week</a>, Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississaugaā€™s&nbsp;<a href="https://icubeutm.ca/">ICUBE</a>&nbsp;incubator&nbsp;is hosting Pitch with a Twist, International Womenā€™s Day edition on March 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga in the IMI Rotunda. The event features <a href="/news/authentic-inclusive-body-positive-lesley-hampton-makes-her-mark-fashion-world">Ā鶹ֱ²„app alumna <b>Lesley Hampton</b></a>, an Anishinaabe artist and fashion designer, as a keynote speaker and provides an opportunity for women-identifying entrepreneurs to pitch early-stage ventures to a panel of women-identifying judges from a variety of sectors.</p> <h4><a href="https://kpe.utoronto.ca/wed-03082023-1730/she-moves-conference-motion" target="_blank"><b>She Moves: A Conference with Motion</b></a></h4> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/She%20moves%202023_1920X1080.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 422px;"></p> <p>The Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education is inviting all women-identifying students to participate in MoveU, an evening of physical activity, wellness and discussion. The event takes place on March 8 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Athletic Centre on the St. George campus.</p> <h4><a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt/empower-leader-within-international-womens-day-2023" target="_blank"><b>Empower the Leader Within</b></a></h4> <p>Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough is hosting a panel discussion with inspiring executives about their career journeys, the challenges theyā€™ve navigated and their hope for future leaders. The event takes place on March 8 from 5 to 7:30 pm. at the Instructional Centre.</p> <h4><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpD_v0mgwX_/" target="_blank"><b>Event in Solidarity with Iranian Women</b></a></h4> <p>In collaboration with the Iranian Scholars for Liberty, the Ā鶹ֱ²„app Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI) are holding an event on March 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to show their support for women in Iran. The event will take place at the Galbraith Building in Room 220 on the St. George campus and is open to the community.</p> <h4><a href="https://iranianstudies.utoronto.ca/event/international-womens-day-celebration/" target="_blank"><b>International Womenā€™s Day Celebration: Women, Life, Liberty</b></a></h4> <p>The Iranian Women Organization of Ontario, Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s The ElahĆ© Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science and the Royal Ontario Museum are holding an event to reflect on womenā€™s empowerment and leadership in Iran and the Middle East. The event takes place on March 8 from 6:15 to 9 p.m. at the Eaton Theatre at the ROM.</p> <h4><a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspire-international-womens-day-with-fennella-bruce-and-elina-chow-tickets-471508343147" target="_blank"><b>Inspire: Breaking Down Barriers to Success</b></a></h4> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_397371359_34949501892_1_original.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 375px;"></p> <p>Part of Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s <a href="http://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/events/entrepreneurship-week/">Entrepreneurship Week</a>, there will be a discussion with Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough alumna <b>Fennella Bruce</b>, veteran television producer and host and media consultant, and <b>Elina Chow</b>, CEO of JotTech. The event takes place on March 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thehub/welcome">The Hub</a> in Highland Hall.</p> <h4><a href="http://clnx.utoronto.ca/home/slevents.htm?eventId=50981" target="_blank"><b>International Womenā€™s Day: Reproductive Rights and Faith</b></a></h4> <p>The Multi-Faith Centre on the St. George campus&nbsp;is hosting an event to explore how gender rights, justice and spirituality are connected on March 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Main Activity Hall. The event features a panel discussion, a dinner and an opportunity to network.</p> <h4 class="x"><a href="https://www.kpe.utoronto.ca/wed-03082023-1900/category-woman-film-screening-and-panel-discussion"><span style="text-size-adjust:auto">Category: Woman, Film Screening and Panel Discussion</span></a></h4> <p class="x"><span style="text-size-adjust:auto">Ā鶹ֱ²„app's Faculty of Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education and the Cinema Studies Institute in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science are hosting a screening of <i>Category: Woman</i> on March 8 at 7 p.m. at Innis Town Hall Theatre. There will be a panel discussion and a Q&amp;A featuring filmmaker Phyllis Ellis following the screening. </span></p> <h4><a href="http://music.utoronto.ca/concerts-events.php?eid=3582" target="_blank"><b>Terri Lyne Carrington in Concert with Ā鶹ֱ²„app Jazz Orchestra</b></a></h4> <p>The Faculty of Music is hosting a concert with drummer, composer and producer Terri Lyne Carrington&nbsp;on March 8 at 7:30 at Walter Hall. Carrington, the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice in Boston, will perform with the Ā鶹ֱ²„app jazz orchestra.&nbsp;Ā鶹ֱ²„app students are admitted free with a valid TCard, space permitting.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 06 Mar 2023 18:38:00 +0000 mattimar 180416 at Ā鶹ֱ²„app among top five university business incubators in the world: UBI Global /news/u-t-among-top-five-university-business-incubators-world-ubi-global <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Ā鶹ֱ²„app among top five university business incubators in the world: UBI Global</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT90745__FO26724-%281%29-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iL4PWBYc 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT90745__FO26724-%281%29-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=35aaky88 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT90745__FO26724-%281%29-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=f5QFfPeX 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT90745__FO26724-%281%29-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iL4PWBYc" alt="exterior of The BRIDGE at UTSC"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-02-06T11:20:53-05:00" title="Monday, February 6, 2023 - 11:20" class="datetime">Mon, 02/06/2023 - 11:20</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">The BRIDGE at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough is one of several entrepreneurship and innovation hubs on Ā鶹ֱ²„app's three campuses (photo by Matthew Dochstader)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/tabassum-siddiqui" hreflang="en">Tabassum Siddiqui</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6891" hreflang="en">UBI Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hub" hreflang="en">The Hub</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/creative-destruction-lab" hreflang="en">Creative Destruction Lab</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship-hatchery" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship Hatchery</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/health-innovation-hub" hreflang="en">Health Innovation Hub</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/innovation" hreflang="en">Innovation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rankings" hreflang="en">Rankings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utest" hreflang="en">UTEST</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The University of Toronto has been recognized as one of the top five university business incubators in the world by UBI Global in its latest <a href="https://www.worldbenchmarkstudy.com/">world benchmark study</a>.</p> <p>In its 2021-2022 study, UBI Global ā€“ a Swedish-based innovation intelligence company with more than 1,000 member organizations ā€“ assessed 1895 organizations from 90 countries.</p> <p>The top organizations were benchmarked across 21 key performance indicators against their global peers based on the value they provide to their innovation ecosystems and client startups.</p> <p>ā€œThe UBI ranking is a reinforcement of all the great work that so many Ā鶹ֱ²„app students, faculty and alumni entrepreneurs have been doing,ā€ says <b>Jon French</b>, <a href="/news/collision-home-u-t-entrepreneurship-s-new-director-jon-french-startups-age-covid-19">director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship</a>, the umbrella organization for the incubators, accelerators and entrepreneurship programs across Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s three campuses. ā€œItā€™s a recognition of how we fare against the best in the world.ā€</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The ranking is particularly notable, French adds, since UBI is one of the only organizations examining both economic and social impact in its global assessment of the post-secondary entrepreneurship space.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">ā€œThe approach that UBI takes is quite holistic ā€“ they measure hard metrics, including funding raised and jobs created, but they also take a look at criteria such as&nbsp;where the mentor network is coming from and how engaged the universityā€™s alumni are,ā€ French says, noting that Ā鶹ֱ²„app scored high on all such indicators in the UBI report and takes pride in&nbsp;supporting innovators at all stages of their journey ā€“&nbsp;everyone from idea-stage student entrepreneurs to faculty members and PhD researchers seeking to commercialize their work.</p> <p>Over the past decade, Ā鶹ֱ²„app entrepreneurs have created more than 600 venture-backed companies and secured more than $2.5 billion in investment. Ā鶹ֱ²„app Entrepreneurship, for its part, supports current and aspiring entrepreneurs by providing: co-working, meeting and event spaces; mentorship and advisory supports; pitch competitions and prizes; and access to investor networks to secure funding.</p> <p><img alt="map showing locations of all of the incubators on all 3 u of t campuses" src="/sites/default/files/screenshot-entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca-2023.02.03-10_09_29.png" style="width: 750px; height: 422px;"></p> <p><em>Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s network of&nbsp;campus acccelerators and incubators in the Greater Toronto Area are currently supporting more than 500 teams working on potential startups.</em></p> <p>ā€œIt is important&nbsp;that our entrepreneurs have a sense of community ā€“ they are surrounded by like-minded people who are excited about innovation and turning ideas and opportunities into companies,ā€ French says. ā€œAcross the 10-plus <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/for-entrepreneurs/u-of-t-accelerators/">campus accelerators</a> on our three campuses, we currently have over 500 teams that are working on projects that could become companies.ā€</p> <p style="margin-bottom:16px">UBIā€™s world benchmark study is a third-party assessment, based on a comprehensive survey, that analyzes the impact and performance of business incubators and accelerators from four sectors: university, public, private and corporate. Its framework for analysis was developed in collaboration with an advisory board comprising innovation thought leaders and industry experts.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:16px">Other Canadian universities also ranked highly in their categories in the UBI report, including incubators from McGill University, York University, Memorial University and Ɖcole de technologie supĆ©rieure.</p> <p>Many of the Ā鶹ֱ²„app-backed success stories flagged for the UBI survey stemmed from the universityā€™s strength in leading-edge research fields such as quantum computing, biotech, clean tech, advanced manufacturing and machine learning. In particular, French points to the recent announcement of <a href="/news/quantum-computing-startup-xanadu-receives-40-million-federal-funding-globe-and-mail">$40 million in federal funding for Ā鶹ֱ²„app startup Xanadu Quantum Technologies</a> ā€“ an alumnus of the <a href="https://creativedestructionlab.com/">Creative Destruction Lab</a> (CDL) at the Rotman School of Management that was founded by former Ā鶹ֱ²„app post-doctoral physics researcher <b>Christian Weedbrook</b> ā€“ and the more than 150 ventures supported annually by the <a href="https://h2i.utoronto.ca/">Health Innovation Hub</a>&nbsp;(H2i).</p> <p>French noted that Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s commitment to entrepreneurship is longstanding, with several incubators and accelerators recently celebrating their 10-year anniversaries. They include CDL, <a href="https://hatchery.engineering.utoronto.ca/">The Hatchery</a> at the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering and the <a href="https://utest.to/">UTEST accelerator</a>.</p> <p>ā€œAnd now when we&nbsp;look at the new <a href="/news/landmark-100-million-gift-university-toronto-gerald-schwartz-and-heather-reisman-will-power">Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus</a>&nbsp;close to opening on the St. George campus, thatā€™s again an example of Ā鶹ֱ²„app doubling down on how important innovation and entrepreneurship are to the university,ā€ he says.</p> <p>Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s world-leading innovation network&nbsp;ā€“&nbsp;which includes Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarboroughā€™s <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thehub/welcome">The Hub</a> and <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thebridge/">The BRIDGE</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://icubeutm.ca/">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississaugaā€™s ICUBE</a>&nbsp;ā€“&nbsp;will be showcased during <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/events/entrepreneurship-week/">Entrepreneurship Week</a> from March 6 to 9, featuring more than 15 free in-person, hybrid and virtual public events to teach, inspire and celebrate entrepreneurship on campus.</p> <p>One flagship event&nbsp;returning in-person for the first time in three&nbsp;years is the <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/true-blue-expo-2023/">True Blue Expo</a>&nbsp;on March 9, where more than&nbsp;40 Ā鶹ֱ²„app startups, accelerators and community partners will be sharing information on their products and services.</p> <p>ā€œWeā€™ll be highlighting groundbreaking companies during Entrepreneurship Week, including those led by women founders and startups connected to our <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/for-entrepreneurs/black-founders-network/">Black Founders Network</a>,ā€ French says. ā€œAll three campuses are represented ā€“ itā€™s really a snapshot of what makes Ā鶹ֱ²„app entrepreneurship so special.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:20:53 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 179753 at Startup lands federal contract to plant one million trees across Canada using drones /news/startup-lands-federal-contract-plant-one-million-trees-across-canada-using-drones <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Startup lands federal contract to plant one million trees across Canada using drones</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/1-BryceJones-FlashForest.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=N39lEDHW 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/1-BryceJones-FlashForest.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=TFr2UEIe 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/1-BryceJones-FlashForest.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=AyWNh79q 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/1-BryceJones-FlashForest.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=N39lEDHW" alt="Photo of Bryce Jones and drone"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-10-17T13:24:42-04:00" title="Monday, October 17, 2022 - 13:24" class="datetime">Mon, 10/17/2022 - 13:24</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"> Bryce Jones is the co-founder and CEO of Flash Forest, which has secured $1.35 million from Natural Resources Canada to help reforest wildfire ravaged sites across Canada (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/patricia-lonergan" hreflang="en">Patricia Lonergan</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A Mississauga-based startup with ties to the University of Toronto Mississauga&nbsp;has received a federal contract under the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/2-billion-trees.html">2 Billion Trees program</a> to help boost reforestation efforts in areas devastated by wildfire while also combatting the effects of climate change.</p> <p>As part of a $1.35-million contract from&nbsp;Natural Resources Canada, Flash Forest will use drones to plant more than one million trees over the next two years in wildfire-ravaged locations across Canada.</p> <p>The startupā€™s drones can reach hard-to-access areas and plant trees 10 times faster at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods&nbsp;ā€“ and on a larger scale.</p> <p>Co-founder and CEO Bryce Jones underscored the importance of such work by recalling&nbsp;the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire that consumed over 25,000 hectares of forest and parkland in Kelowna, B.C., where he lived at the time.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œTwenty years later thereā€™s no forest left,ā€ he said. ā€œItā€™s because we missed the opportunity to reforest the site.ā€&nbsp;</p> <p>The&nbsp;contract with Flash Forest&nbsp;ā€“ which&nbsp;uses&nbsp;aerial mapping software, drones, automation and advanced seed pods to rapidly seed wildfire-affected sites&nbsp;ā€“&nbsp;was recently announced at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga.</p> <p>ā€œAs we know, climate change is the worldā€™s most pressing challenge as global temperatures rise,ā€ said Mississauga East-Cooksville MP Peter Fonseca, who was joined by Mississauga-Erin Mills MP&nbsp;Iqra Khalid at the event.</p> <p>Climate change, Fonseca&nbsp;continued, is making wildfires more severe and frequent, noting that this year alone&nbsp;wildfires have destroyed thousands of hectares of forest in Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, British Columbia and Ontario.</p> <p>ā€œThereā€™s no question that the need for more responsible stewardship of our planet is urgent. Thereā€™s no time to waste, especially as we look to achieve net zero by 2050,ā€ Fonseca said. ā€œBy using drones, we can plant more swiftly, efficiently and effectively, making it easier to grow our forests, clean our air, support important habitats for wildlife and restore valuable ecosystems.ā€</p> <p><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/2-FlashForest.jpg" alt></p> <p><em>Flash Forest uses&nbsp;aerial mapping software, drones, automation and advanced seed pods to rapidly seed wildfire-affected sites (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p>Jones said that Flash Forest, which he co-founded with his brother Cameron, is focused on restoring severe wildfire sites where the seed pods and cones are lost and ā€œthe forest really needs a handā€ to regenerate.</p> <p>He added that he used to plant trees the traditional way ā€“ with a shovel and a few hundred saplings ā€“ but wanted to get involved with climate technology. The big question, he said, was&nbsp;how reforestation could be automated.</p> <p>ā€œYou really canā€™t do it from the ground. You canā€™t do it with robots on the forest floor&nbsp;ā€“&nbsp;there are too many objects and snags and obstacles,ā€ he said.</p> <p>But, he realized, it could be done from the air. Drone technology was already available, with recent advancements allowing for larger payloads and longer ranges, creating a whole new set of applications, including within forestry. Using drones for reforestation efforts is highly scalable and could have a significant impact toward mitigating climate change.</p> <p>ā€œItā€™s also quite cool,ā€ Jones said.</p> <p><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/3-FlashForest.jpg" alt></p> <p><em>Back row, from left: Alexandra Gillespie, Peter Fonseca, Iqra Khalid and Ignacio Mongrell. Front row, from left: Cameron Jones, Bryce Jones and Angelique Ahlstrom (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p>Shortly after Flash Forest was launched in 2019, the founders turned to Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississaugaā€™s ICUBE incubator for support. Jones said ICUBE,&nbsp;which specializes in social entrepreneurship,&nbsp;assisted Fast Forest with funding and helped them bolster their research. That includes providing&nbsp;the founders&nbsp;access to Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s greenhouse, where they conduct the bulk of their research and development on their seed pods and germination. Fast Forest also hires undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral reseachers&nbsp;from Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga.</p> <p><strong>Alexandra Gillespie</strong>, Ā鶹ֱ²„app vice-president and principal of Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>said the university is well-suited to support the kind of work undertaken by Flash Forest.</p> <p>ā€œWe lead Canadaā€™s largest, most diversified, and most integrated network of robotics and AI talent, who show the power of enabling technologies and transform multiple fields at once: from health care and mobility to sustainability and green economies,ā€ she said, adding that Ā鶹ֱ²„app has created an entrepreneurial community that has earned more than $1.5 billion in investment over the past 10 years.</p> <p>One of Flash Forestā€™s goals is to plant one billion trees by 2028, reaching areas that would otherwise not be reforested. The contribution from Natural Resources Canada is also creating jobs for Canadians. The company, which currently employs 30 people, is expected to double its workforce over the next two years. Jones said he anticipates employing hundreds, if not thousands, in the future.</p> <p>Jones said heā€™s honoured to partner with Natural Resources Canada.</p> <p>ā€œItā€™s a dream come true. Itā€™s something weā€™ve been pushing for,ā€ Jones said. ā€œWe intend to have [Natural Resources Canada] as a long-term partner.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 17 Oct 2022 17:24:42 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 177568 at Sunscreen for your scalp? Ā鶹ֱ²„app startup offers powdered protection for the top of your head /news/sunscreen-your-scalp-u-t-startup-offers-powdered-protection-top-your-head <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Sunscreen for your scalp? Ā鶹ֱ²„app startup offers powdered protection for the top of your head</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/ArbreTeam-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iGPE_Yww 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/ArbreTeam-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=d4XENx3i 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/ArbreTeam-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=O6RsApIw 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/ArbreTeam-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iGPE_Yww" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-03-09T11:56:32-05:00" title="Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - 11:56" class="datetime">Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:56</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Working with the ICUBE accelerator at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga, Kristina Knox and Stephanie Tien launched a sustainable skin care brand called Arbre that makes a scalp-specific sunscreen (photo courtesy of Arbre)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/kristy-strauss" hreflang="en">Kristy Strauss</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship-week" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship Week</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/thisistheplace" hreflang="en">ThisIsThePlace</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A weekend trip to Wasaga Beach ā€“ and a terrible sunburn that followed ā€“ inspired an innovative business idea for <strong>Stephanie Tien</strong> and <strong>Kristina Knox</strong>.</p> <p>ā€œI got a really bad sunburn on my scalp, where my part is,ā€ explains Tien, who received her undergraduate degree from Ā鶹ֱ²„app in pharmacology and human biology in 2018 and masterā€™s degree in pharmacology in 2020.</p> <p>That prompted Tien and Knox to talk about the need for better sun protection for that area of the body.</p> <p>The duo, who have been friends since they were undergraduate students, joined forces and <a href="https://www.wearearbre.ca/thegrove/s7jrw9tikh9b6sj8nh7j9headlvs7d">created Arbre</a>&nbsp;ā€“ a sustainable skin care brand that offers customers a SPF formula made specifically for the scalp.</p> <p>ā€œItā€™s a powder, like a dry shampoo, thatā€™s formulated specifically for your scalp and wonā€™t make your hair look greasy,ā€ says Knox, who received her undergraduate degree from Ā鶹ֱ²„app&nbsp;in&nbsp;cognitive science and neuroscience in 2018 and is currently a PhD student in cognitive psychology.</p> <p>ā€œThe sunscreen industry hasnā€™t had a lot of innovation in forever, and all the products look and feel the same. We wanted to bring new and innovative solutions to people to help them protect their skin.ā€</p> <p>Knox adds that providing sun safety education to the public is also a major part of their brand, and they try to feature scientific information about the importance of sun care on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wearearbre/">their Instagram</a> and blogs.</p> <p>ā€œWeā€™re really trying to bring the two together by creating a solution for people to be able to use sunscreen regularly, and also provide them with the education so they know why they should wear sunscreen,ā€ Knox says.</p> <p>When the business partners were ready to start their company, they turned to UTMā€™s ICUBE incubator for guidance. The incubator is the home of social entrepreneurship and early-stage start-ups at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga, offering&nbsp;resources, programs, workshops and mentorship for those starting their own businesses.</p> <p>ā€œIt was really foundational for the inception of our company&nbsp;because Stephanie and I donā€™t have business backgrounds,ā€ says Knox. ā€œWeā€™ve never started a business before, and we're both very science-focused. ICUBE really provided that foundational knowledge that we needed, and took us sort of step by step.ā€</p> <p>Tien adds that ICUBE also allowed them to connect with other entrepreneurs who were trying to start businesses during a global pandemic ā€“ and helped guide them through a challenging and unprecedented time.</p> <p>She says that ICUBE was quick to move its services online, creating a space for entrepreneurs to continue to grow their businesses throughout the pandemic.</p> <p>ā€œGeography wasn't really a barrier anymore,ā€ she says. ā€œThat really opened up a lot of doors to us ā€“ and people were so willing to connect and join communities because we were all stuck at home. I think that, in some ways, it was hard during a pandemic, but it was easier in other ways as well.ā€</p> <p>At present, Tien and Knoxā€™s sunscreen is undergoing lab and clinical testing that is expected to wrap up at the end of this month. They plan to submit an application to Health Canada and hope to get approval by the end of May. Next, they plan to start manufacturing their product, with a pre-order campaign set to launch this summer.</p> <p>Excited about the journey ahead, Tien and Knox have advice for other young female entrepreneurs who want to achieve success.</p> <p>ā€œJust get started and find a community to support you. You canā€™t be expected to know everything about entrepreneurship, so join an incubator like ICUBE,ā€ says Tien.</p> <p>Knox adds that there is no ā€œone-size-fits-allā€ approach to starting a business, and recommends entrepreneurs do what works best for them.</p> <p>ā€œEverybodyā€™s journey is different,ā€ she says. ā€œYou can go as fast as you want or as slow as you want. But itā€™s important to just start.ā€</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 09 Mar 2022 16:56:32 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 173367 at Ā鶹ֱ²„app marks International Women's Day with lectures, a pitch competition and other events /news/u-t-marks-international-women-s-day-lectures-pitch-competition-and-other-events <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Ā鶹ֱ²„app marks International Women's Day with lectures, a pitch competition and other events</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT86935_2020-09-10-St.%20George%20Back2School%20%281%29-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=7zbSy5dT 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT86935_2020-09-10-St.%20George%20Back2School%20%281%29-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=NjcQRUlG 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT86935_2020-09-10-St.%20George%20Back2School%20%281%29-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=2JdZxQau 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT86935_2020-09-10-St.%20George%20Back2School%20%281%29-lpr.JPG?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=7zbSy5dT" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-03-07T13:47:32-05:00" title="Monday, March 7, 2022 - 13:47" class="datetime">Mon, 03/07/2022 - 13:47</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Hart House is co-hosting a virtual event called Women in Hip-Hop: Erasure, Trailblazers and Place-makers to mark International Women's Day (photo by Johnny Guatto)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/international-women-s-day" hreflang="en">International Women's Day</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george-campus" hreflang="en">St. George campus</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/women-and-gender-studies" hreflang="en">Women and Gender Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The University of Toronto community is marking International Womenā€™s Day on March 8 with a variety of events across the three campuses.</p> <p>From lectures and workshops to a startup pitch competition and a fun trivia night, the events will highlight the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women across the world.</p> <p>Hereā€™s a snapshot of whatā€™s&nbsp;scheduled across the three Ā鶹ֱ²„app campuses this week:</p> <hr> <h3><a href="https://harthouse.ca/events/women-in-hip-hop-erasure-trailblazers-and-place-makers">Women in Hip-Hop: Erasure, Trailblazers and Place-makers</a></h3> <p>Co-hosted by Hart House and Fresh, Bold and So Def at the Universal Hip Hop Museum, this virtual event will showcase the historical and continuing contributions of women in hip-hop. The conversation will be led by moderator <b><span style="letter-spacing:0.05pt">Francesca D'Amico-Cuthbert</span></b><span style="letter-spacing:0.05pt">, a post-doctoral researcher at Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s Jackman Humanities Institute. Sheā€™ll be joined by Martha Diaz, curator, archivist, educator, media producer and social entrepreneur;&nbsp;DJ LynnĆ©e&nbsp;Denise</span>, artist, scholar and writer;&nbsp;and <b>Kayja Edwards</b>, a student at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga who is studying a double major in communications, culture, information and technology and women and gender studies. <b>March 8, 4 ā€“ 5:30 p.m.&nbsp;ET&nbsp;</b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 class="page-headerlead"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><a href="https://icubeutm.ca/pitch22/#:~:text=Event%3A%20March%208th%2C%202022,%3A30%2D7%3A30%20pm">Pitch With a Twist</a></span></h3> <p><span style="vertical-align:baseline">Part of Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/events/entrepreneurship-week/">Entrepreneurship Week</a>, ICUBE ā€“ home of early-stage start-ups at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga ā€“ is hosting Pitch with a Twist, International Womenā€™s Month Edition. The event provides an opportunity for women-identifying&nbsp;entrepreneurs to pitch early-stage ventures to a panel of women-identifying judges&nbsp;from a variety of sectors for cash prizes and support. <b>March 8, 5:30 ā€“ 7:30 p.m. ET</b></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="http://clnx.utoronto.ca/home/slevents.htm?eventId=34644"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">Faith on the Margins&nbsp;ā€“ International Womenā€™s Day Event&nbsp;</span></a></h3> <p>The Multi-Faith Centre at Ā鶹ֱ²„app is hosting a virtual conversation&nbsp;to explore how gender rights, justice and spirituality are connected. The participants include Maryam Khan, social work professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Rev. Cheri DiNovo, minister and former MPP, and Rabbi Ariella Rosen, senior director and senior Jewish educator at Hillel Ā鶹ֱ²„app. <b>March 8, 5:30 ā€“ 8 p.m. ET</b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="http://clnx.utoronto.ca/home/utsceventaggregator.htm?eventId=41504&amp;action=displayGlobalEventDetails">International Women's Day&nbsp;ā€“&nbsp;Crowns of Change Head Wrap Workshop</a></h3> <p>Hosted at the Meeting Place at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough, the Crowns of Change is a workshop for women to learn how to protect their hair with a head wrap or head covering.<b> </b>Participants will get to leave with their own crown. <b>March 8, 11 a.m. ā€“ 1 p.m. ET</b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="https://wgsi.utoronto.ca/event/international-womens-day-lecture-with-tara-houska/">International Womenā€™s Day Lecture with Tara Houska</a></h3> <p>The Women &amp; Gender Studies Institute is hosting a virtual lecture ā€“ <i>Defend the Sacred: Reconnection is Resistance ā€“ </i>with tribal attorney, land defender and climate justice activist Tara Houska. She co-founded Not Your Mascots, an organization committed to educating the public about representation of Indigenous Peoples. <b>March 9, 6 ā€“ 7:30 p.m. ET</b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><a href="https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home/utsceventaggregator.htm?eventId=41827&amp;action=displayGlobalEventDetails">International Womenā€™s Day Trivia Night</a></span></h3> <p>Students, staff and faculty are invited to take part in a fun trivia night focused on women who are trailblazers in their respective fields. Hosted by the International Student Centre, there are prizes available. <b>March 11, 5 ā€“ 6 p.m. ET</b></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:47:32 +0000 mattimar 173333 at Five things to look forward to at Entrepreneurship Week 2022 /news/five-things-look-forward-entrepreneurship-week-2022 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Five things to look forward to at Entrepreneurship Week 2022</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-02-24T17:02:45-05:00" title="Thursday, February 24, 2022 - 17:02" class="datetime">Thu, 02/24/2022 - 17:02</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-youtube field--type-youtube field--label-hidden field__item"><figure class="youtube-container"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ztonucWfwXg?wmode=opaque" width="450" height="315" id="youtube-field-player" class="youtube-field-player" title="Embedded video for Five things to look forward to at Entrepreneurship Week 2022" aria-label="Embedded video for Five things to look forward to at Entrepreneurship Week 2022: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ztonucWfwXg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </figure> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/alyson-bruce" hreflang="en">Alyson Bruce</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/black" hreflang="en">Black</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-music" hreflang="en">Faculty of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/health-innovation-hub" hreflang="en">Health Innovation Hub</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/innovation-entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/mental-health" hreflang="en">Mental Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/thisistheplace" hreflang="en">ThisIsThePlace</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trinity-college" hreflang="en">Trinity College</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The University of Toronto is preparing for its sixth annual Entrepreneurship Week, a four-day showcase of Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s diverse and extensive entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Taking place from March 7 to 10, <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/events/entrepreneurship-week/">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Entrepreneurship Week</a> features 15-plus events ā€“ startup showcases, pitch competitions, keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions and more ā€“ delivered through an&nbsp;easily accessible virtual platform.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Events are free and open to all: students, entrepreneurs, alumni, mentors, business leaders, investors and anyone else who is looking to be inspired by startups, their founders and one of the most dynamic research-based startup ecosystems in the world.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Here are some of the key events and themes for the upcoming edition of Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s annual celebration of all things entrepreneurial.<b>&nbsp;</b></p> <hr> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">A fireside chat with an Olympic legend</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><img alt src="/sites/default/files/Donovan-Bailey_Headshot-crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 300px;">Among this yearā€™s most anticipated events is a fireside conversation with Canadian Olympic icon and entrepreneur Donovan Bailey.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">One of the greatest sprinters of all time, Bailey has secured a place in Canadaā€™s Sports Hall of Fame as a track and field legend, held three world records (currently holder of the 50-metre record), two Olympic gold medals and was named <i>Track &amp; Field News</i> sprinter of the decade for his stellar 10-year career.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Bailey has since shifted his competitive focus from sport to business as the CEO of Bailey Inc. He has spent more than 25 years building successful business ventures across the globe in real estate, restaurant, and health and wellness industries.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">On March 9 at 12 p.m., attendees can tune in for the keynote event <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/ute-speaker-series-entrepreneurship-week-keynote-speaker/"><i>From the Track to the Boardroom</i></a><i>,</i> a fireside conversation with Bailey that will be moderated by Rita Trichur, business writer for <i>The Globe and Mail</i>. The talk will focus on the parallels between competing in sports and business.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Student startups compete for funding and prizes</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">With over $60,000 in prizes up for grabs, 11 student startup teams in two categories ā€“ early-stage and later-stage ā€“ prepare to compete in the <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/resource/ute-startup-prize/">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Entrepreneurship (UTE) Startup Prize</a> pitch competition. The pitches will be judged by a panel of investors and successful founders.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">This yearā€™s competition includes finalists from a range of fields ā€“ health and wellness, biotech, AI, consumer packaged goods, information and communications technology and cleantech. Kicking off day one of Entrepreneurship Week on March 7 at 2 p.m., the business pitch competition will recognize, reward and accelerate Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s most innovative startups.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Back for its third year, <a href="https://icubeutm.ca/pitch22/">Pitch with a Twist</a> features an all-women lineup of contestants and judges to celebrate International Womenā€™s Day on March 8. The annual event hosted by Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga accelerator <a href="https://icubeutm.ca/">ICUBE</a> focuses on early-stage ventures from a variety of sectors pitching their business ideas for cash prizes and in-kind support.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><a href="https://icubeutm.ca/our-winners-from-pitch-with-a-twist-celebrating-international-womens-day/">Last yearā€™s Pitch with a Twist winners</a> included <b>Elsie Amoako</b>, founder of Mommy Monitor, <b>Joella Almeida</b>, co-founder of MedEssist and <b>Nancy Hamdy</b> and <b>Linta Mustafa</b>, co-founders of Axonaly.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Tune in at 5:30 p.m. to watch founders of Ā鶹ֱ²„app startups pitch for top prizes and to show your support for women-identifying entrepreneurs.</p> <div class="story_sidebar_wrapper" style="float: right; background-color: grey; padding: 25px 15px 25px 15px; color: white; margin-left: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 1.5rem;"><strong>Entrepreneurship Week by the numbers</strong> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>0 </b>ā€“ Cost, in dollars, to attend Ā鶹ֱ²„app Entrepreneurship Week</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>1</b> ā€“ Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s rank in research-based startups among Canadian universities</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>6</b> ā€“ Positions Ā鶹ֱ²„app has moved up in PitchBookā€™s annual rankings of global universities for startup founders</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>11</b> ā€“ Startups vying for the UTE Startup Prize at the annual pitch competition</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>16</b> ā€“ Events featured during Entrepreneurship Week</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>60</b> ā€“ Startups, accelerators and partners participating in the True Blue Expo</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>200 </b>ā€“ Entrepreneurship-related courses offered at Ā鶹ֱ²„app</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>600 </b>ā€“ Startups created by Ā鶹ֱ²„app entrepreneurs over the past decade</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>9,000 ā€“ </b>Jobs created by Ā鶹ֱ²„app startups</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>15,000</b> ā€“ Size, in square feet, of ONRamp, Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s collaboration and co-working space for startups</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>20,000</b> ā€“ Total prizes, in dollars, at Pitch with a Twist to celebrate International Womenā€™s Day on March 8</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>60,000</b> ā€“ Total prizes, in dollars, at the UTE Startup Prize pitch competition</p> <p style="color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;margin-bottom:11px"><b>2 billion</b> ā€“ Investment, in dollars, raised by Ā鶹ֱ²„app startups over the past decade</p> </div> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">EDI in entrepreneurship: Supporting underrepresented founders</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Following the <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/black-founders-network-launches-to-support-entrepreneurs-and-create-more-black-led-businesses/">launch of the Black Founders Network</a> and the <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/you-can-become-the-unicorn-in-the-room-meet-the-u-of-t-scarborough-alumni-advancing-black-excellence-in-entrepreneurship-and-tech/">Nobellum Innovator Program in partnership with Ā鶹ֱ²„app,</a> several events on this yearā€™s Entrepreneurship Week roster will prioritize the need for equity, diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Nobellum, a non-profit social and technology venture founded by Ā鶹ֱ²„app alumna <b>Melisa Ellis</b> is joining forces with Ā鶹ֱ²„app to help launch at least 100 Black-owned startups by 2025. The <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/nobellum-innovation-program-overview/">Nobellum Innovator Program</a> open house at Entrepreneurship Week will provide a forum to discuss the programā€™s initiatives and invite innovators to join, while Nobellumā€™s <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/nobellum-meet-the-founders/">Meet the Founders</a> session will introduce prospective entrepreneurs to the founders behind its vision.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">In addition, <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/indigenous-perspectives-in-entrepreneurship/">Two-eyed Seeing in Entrepreneurship</a> with Jonathon Redbird and Christina Tachtampa will focus on how Indigenous Knowledge applies to the fields of entrepreneurship and business education. Presented by ICUBE and <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thebridge/welcome-bridge">The BRIDGE</a> in partnership with RedBird Circle Inc., this session will introduce students to duality in entrepreneurship and education and invite them to shift their perspectives about the concepts of self, community and connection to the spirit of the land.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Returning to Entrepreneurship Week, the highly attended conversation series, <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/fireside-at-femstem-with-dr-sandy-skotnicki/">Fireside at FemSTEM</a> invites special guest speaker, <b>Sandy Skotnicki</b> to share her experience as a distinguished entrepreneur in the health-care space. Skotnicki is the founding director of the Bay Dermatology Centre, an assistant professor in the department of medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the author of <i>Beyond Soap: The Real Truth About What You Are Doing to Your Skin and How to Fix It for a Beautiful, Healthy Glow.</i> Widely regarded as the ā€œgo-toā€ dermatologist in Canada for ingredient reactions and safety, she regularly provides commentary and contributes to medical journals, media outlets and speaks on reactions to chemicals in the skincare industry.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><b>&nbsp;</b></p> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">The convergence of arts and entrepreneurship</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">New this year, Toronto Music Entrepreneurship Exchange (ToMEE) is hosting a dynamic panel discussion about innovation in music performance and research.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">An all-alumni panel from the Faculty of Music, including <b>Adrian Berry</b>, <b>Hayley Janes</b>, <b>Adam Fainman</b> and <b>Renee Fajardo,</b> will discuss<b> </b>topics such as collaboration and reciprocity in creative cities, beatboxing research and technology, and opera for a 21<sup>st</sup>-century audience.<i></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/innovations-in-music-performance-and-research/">Innovations in Music Performance and Research</a> is the inaugural Faculty of Music event to take place during Entrepreneurship Week and is scheduled for 3 p.m. on March 8.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Finding balance: Mental health session for entrepreneurs</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Back by popular demand, <a href="https://h2i.utoronto.ca/">H2i</a>ā€™s <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/stress-management-and-mental-wellness-session/">Stress Management and Mental Wellness Session</a> for entrepreneurs will close off Entrepreneurship Week with an address by keynote speaker <b>Soroosh Vafapoor</b>, community wellness co-ordinator for Trinity College and a registered psychotherapist.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">This keynote presentation will be followed by a candid panel discussion with entrepreneurs ā€“ including <b>Harold Wodlinger</b>, CTO of ViTAA Medical, <b>Michael Floros</b>, COO of Cohesys and <b>Wendy Naimark</b>, CTO of Ripple Therapeutics ā€“ who will discuss their experience managing stress and maintaining work-life balance.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Entrepreneur or not, the event promises to deliver helpful tips and tricks to disconnect, find balance, manage stress and seek out support in a safe and welcoming space.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 24 Feb 2022 22:02:45 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 172988 at Startups focused on wellness, education take home top prizes at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Pride Pitch event /news/startups-focused-wellness-education-take-home-top-prizes-u-t-pride-pitch-event <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Startups focused on wellness, education take home top prizes at Ā鶹ֱ²„app Pride Pitch event</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/kyle%20and%20zi%20yang.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=b1EVSZ0r 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/kyle%20and%20zi%20yang.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=brbnY0g3 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/kyle%20and%20zi%20yang.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=VzT41mla 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/kyle%20and%20zi%20yang.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=b1EVSZ0r" alt="Kyle Wang and Zi Yang"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2021-07-16T11:33:57-04:00" title="Friday, July 16, 2021 - 11:33" class="datetime">Fri, 07/16/2021 - 11:33</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">PhD candidates Kyle Wang&nbsp;(left) and&nbsp;Zi Yang (right) co-founded Archipelago Genomics, which uses genetic information to design customized wellness programs for clients (photos courtesy of Kyle Wang and Zi Yang)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/sharon-aschaiek" hreflang="en">Sharon Aschaiek</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/temerty-faculty-medicine" hreflang="en">Temerty Faculty of Medicine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/icube" hreflang="en">ICUBE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/graduate-students" hreflang="en">Graduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/molecular-genetics" hreflang="en">Molecular Genetics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ontario-institute-studies-education" hreflang="en">Ontario Institute for Studies in Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/thisistheplace" hreflang="en">ThisIsThePlace</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississauga</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Startups focused on delivering innovations&nbsp;in achieving wellness and education design and delivery&nbsp;scored top prizes at the University of Torontoā€™s recent <a href="https://icubeutm.ca/pridepitch/">Pride Pitch competition</a>.</p> <p>Organized by Ā鶹ֱ²„app Mississaugaā€™s&nbsp;ICUBE&nbsp;social entrepreneurship hub, the second annual business pitch event&nbsp;on&nbsp;June 16 and provided an opportunity for 2SLGBTQ+ students and recent alumni from all three Ā鶹ֱ²„app campuses to showcase their startup ventures to a panel of judges.</p> <p>The grand prize of $3,000 went to&nbsp;Archipelago Genomics, a service that helps users leverage their unique genetic makeup to live a more healthful lifestyle. Co-founders&nbsp;<strong>Kyle Wang&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Zi Yang</strong>, both PhD candidates in molecular genetics, launched the company after they spotted an untapped opportunity to use genetic science to help people optimize their fitness, nutrition and skincare routines.</p> <p>ā€œWe understood that genetics goes beyond just health care ā€“ it impacts us in our everyday life: the way we eat, exercise, take care of our skin,ā€ says Wang, a former personal trainer. ā€œWe want to enable people to act on their genetic information in a professionally guided, science-based way.ā€</p> <p>Using&nbsp;a DNA-testing kit, users submit a saliva sample&nbsp;and receive a free genetic report revealing various pertinent data points. These include oneā€™s propensity for muscle-building and fat-burning, insulin resistance, risk of sustaining and recovering from an injury, food sensitivities, collagen production and vulnerability to sunburns.</p> <p>Archipelago customers are also given the option to purchase one of several ā€œblueprints,ā€ which include two- to 12-week genetically customized training programs&nbsp;supported by one of Archipelagoā€™s vetted fitness trainers or health coach partners. Whether the goal is to gain muscle, lose fat, build mobility or endurance, rehabilitate an injury or get back into shape after giving birth, the founders say the service caters to a wide range of lifestyle and fitness objectives and circumstances.</p> <p>Wang and Yang developed their business model with the support of&nbsp;Ā鶹ֱ²„appā€™s Health Innovation Hub, or H2i,&nbsp;<a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/entrepreneurship-programs/">one of several entrepreneurship hubs on campus</a>. Wang says the Pride Pitch event further validated their current beta version of Archipelago&nbsp;and provided the startup with added momentum to officially launch by yearā€™s end.</p> <p>ā€œPride Pitch affirms that the LGBTQ community can innovate, start successful businesses and lead by example, so it was significant for us to experience and to discover the ideas coming out of the community,ā€ Wang says. ā€œThe feedback was priceless and has helped us evolve the business more strategically.ā€</p> <p><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/Maya_Saggar-crop.jpg" alt></p> <p><em>A graduate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Maya Saggar<strong>&nbsp;</strong>launched an educational consulting business after realizing teachers needed help shifting their work online during the pandemic (photo courtesy of Maya Saggar)</em></p> <p><strong>Maya Saggar</strong>ā€™s focus, meanwhile, is in the connected spheres of teaching, program creation and curriculum development. Her business&nbsp;ā€“ Maya Saggar Consulting&nbsp;ā€“ won the second-place prize of $2,000 and the Peopleā€™s Choice Award.</p> <p>A 2020 master of education graduate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Saggar has worked in various teaching and curriculum design roles since 2015 and has fresh ideas for helping educators and entrepreneurs create thoughtfully designed learning experiences. She says her professional insights partly stem from the five years she spent as a self-employed dance instructor&nbsp;ā€“ and, later, business owner&nbsp;ā€“&nbsp;working with K-8 schools in Mississauga.</p> <p>ā€œI found that I loved developing the programs, the planning and organizing the resources ā€“ that all got me excited,ā€ Saggar recalls. ā€œThen I transitioned it into a business and hired others to teach the classes, and was able to expand to different schools.ā€</p> <p>She says her current entrepreneurial endeavour was sparked by the pandemic after teacher friends sought&nbsp;her help when they were forced to make the shift online. She realized the market was ripe for independent educational consultants who could work with individual instructors, schools and small businesses. She says presenting at Pride Pitch confirmed her insight: ā€œThe feedback was that Iā€™m in the right space at the right time, and there is a need for this service.ā€</p> <p>After building up a client base over several months and fine-tuning her approach, Saggar formally launched her business in March. She developed a website and Instagram channel, and has recruited eight co-op students to help her grow the business. Along the way, she received guidance from&nbsp;ICUBE training sessions and mentors.</p> <p>ā€œThis work is a creative outlet for me,ā€ says Saggar, who is currently pursuing her PhD in education. ā€œI love the designing and the planning. I get to work in my zone of genius, and pass things off to instructors and let them carry out their genius.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:33:57 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 169831 at