We are excited to welcome you to the Sustainability Innovation Challenge with Sobeys Inc., a hackathon dedicated to advancing sustainability through student-industry collaboration. This challenge aims to bring together bright minds from diverse disciplines, encouraging innovative solutions to address pressing sustainability challenges faced Sobeys.
Together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.
In January, exceptional teams will be selected to receive cash prizes and other resources to further develop their solutions. Resources include access to mentors, workshops, prototyping labs, additional funding, etc.
There is a real opportunity for your idea to become a real solution to help Sobeys meet their target of achieving 50% reduction in food waste by 2025
Teams: The Sustainability Innovation Challenge is open to all students; or alumni affiliated with the University of Toronto or U of T CLA/Incubator programs; or residents of the Peel Region. Each team must consist of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members. At list one team member must be a current student.
Interdisciplinary Teams: Teams are encouraged to be interdisciplinary, bringing together students and participants from various fields, including but not limited to engineering, environmental sciences, business, social sciences, and design.
Innovation Focus: The challenge is seeking innovative solutions to address sustainability challenges in various sectors, such as renewable energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, water conservation, and more.
Preparation: Participants should be willing to commit their time and effort to work on their proposed solutions throughout the competition timeline.
Intellectual Property: Teams should ensure that they have the right to use any intellectual property in their submissions and that their solutions do not infringe on any existing copyrights, patents, or trademarks.
Registration: Register your team now and receive updates on the Sustainable Innovation Challenge. If you are interested in participating, you must register before November 5th, 2023.
The challenge: The challenge or challenges will be announced at the Say hi to the Future event on September 28, 2023. Register to attend this event here. If you cannot attend the Say hi to the Future event on September 23rd, that’s ok, we will share the challenge/s via email with all registered teams.
Come up with an idea: You now have 10 days to come up with an idea and submit a slide deck + one-pager proposal of that idea. Decks and one pagers must be submitted by midnight on December 20th , 2023.
Pitch: Based on your pitch deck and one-pager submissions, we will select 10 teams to deliver a 10-minute pitch in January 2024. The 10 finalists will be competing for cash prizes and in-kind support to further develop their ideas.
Develop: Exceptional teams will be selected to receive cash and other resources to further develop their solutions. Resources include access to mentors, workshops, prototyping labs, additional funding, etc. There is a real opportunity for your idea to become a real solution to help Sobeys meet their target of achieving 50% reduction in food waste by 2025.
Indigenous business training program created by RedBird Circle Inc. in partnership with University of Toronto Libraries, ICUBE UTM and The Bridge at UTSC
An experiential learning program for anyone with a great idea who wants to make it happen.
A boutique-style program to support your business development and help you grow.
A student-led creative studio with intends to serve the prototyping and design needs of our ventures and small businesses in our community.