Acadia Launchbox Innovation Awards Banquet is on March 19

While “supporting local” has always been a worthwhile pursuit, the importance of finding and backing Made-in-Canada solutions and businesses has undoubtedly become a greater priority for many Canadians. The upcoming Launchbox Innovation Awards Banquet, which puts Acadia University’s emerging homegrown talent in the spotlight, could not have come at a better time.

The event, taking place on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 5:00 pm at Fountain Commons, features inspiring snapshots of the businesses and innovations led by Acadia student entrepreneurs. More than $8,000 in awards will be presented to deserving students, including an audience-choice award determined by those attending the banquet.

The Innovation Awards Banquet, a first for Launchbox, will include a delicious catered buffet meal. In addition to the student spotlights and awards, the evening will showcase a panel featuring rising leaders like Chelsey MacNeil (The Purposeful Group), Gregg Curwin (Sperri), Junior Moaku (Save Me Save We), and Suzanne Knight (Be Uninterrupted) who will offer valuable insights for aspiring and established entrepreneurs and angel investors navigating Canada’s ever-changing business landscape. There will also be a keynote presentation by Alex McLean—who began the well-known clothing brand, East Coast Lifestyle—while he was a student at Acadia.

Launchbox is an Acadia University hub for experiential learning and professional development programs where students of any discipline can learn entrepreneurial skills, gain access to industry mentors, and gain funding to lift their ideas off the ground. It brings together budding entrepreneurs and the community through programs and events that include the Build a Business program, Project Connect, the Entrepreneur Awards, and Innovation Challenges. Student businesses that have recently emerged from Launchbox range from a youth-led mental health program to an AI personal assistant, a lawn care business to a catering company specializing in Caribbean cuisine, and property management services to a retailer specializing in bespoke crochet gifts.

Alex Dulay is a fourth-year BBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation student and the founder of Touching Hearts, a fair-trade business dedicated to empowering artisans and uplifting communities across Asia. She and a team of student innovation ambassadors have been working behind the scenes to bring the banquet to life. “This event is a unique opportunity to showcase student entrepreneurship and foster a sense of community,” says Alex. “It provides a platform for students to network, learn, and gain the exposure they need to succeed in the business world.”

Alex is joined by Acadia staffers Kirsten Lawrence (Manager, Acadia Launchbox) and Katrin Sommerfeld (Manager, Office of Industry and Community Engagement) in planning the event. “These awards are not just about celebrating achievements,” says Kirsten. “They’re about building a future for students to take their ideas to the next level.”

Mark your calendars and get your tickets today

The Launchbox Innovation Awards Banquet is taking place on March 19, 2025. Student tickets are available for free. Members of the public, as well as Acadia faculty and staff, are invited to purchase a ticket for $80, the price of which also covers the cost for a complimentary student ticket. This means every ticket sold will directly and immediately support a student. All interested attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets by March 11.