Celebrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Night to Remember at the inaugural Launchbox Innovation Awards Banquet
Written by Stephni Madapatha, Program Coordinator Co-op (Winter 2025)
Imagine a room buzzing with ideas, a space filled with bright minds eager to shape the future, and a night dedicated to celebrating the grit, resilience, and brilliance of student entrepreneurs. That was the first Launchbox Innovation Awards Banquet 2025鈥攁n evening that redefined what it means to dream big and chase innovation at 网曝吃瓜.
On Wednesday, March 19th, over 75 attendees including industry leaders and 网曝吃瓜 community members gathered at Fountain Commons for a night that was more than just an awards banquet. It was a celebration of ambition, determination, and community. From the moment guests walked in, the air was charged with excitement, laughter, and the promise of new beginnings.
A Feast for Innovation
If you鈥檝e been to a Launchbox event before, you know one thing for sure鈥� we never let anyone leave hungry! Free pizza has always been our signature, but this time, we elevated the experience with a fully catered buffet dinner by Chartwells. And it wasn鈥檛 just the food that was different鈥攊t was the energy. It was the way people connected, how conversations flowed effortlessly, and how even those who dropped in for just a few minutes walked away with meaningful connections. First-year environmental science student, Grace Henrichs, says 鈥淭he banquet was absolutely beautiful. The speakers were insightful, inspiring and created a heartwarming atmosphere. It was an incredible event! I鈥檓 lucky I got to be a part of it.鈥� And that鈥檚 what Launchbox is all about: bringing people together, sparking ideas, and building a community where entrepreneurs thrive.
鈥淭he banquet represented a significant opportunity for aspiring students to become entrepreneurs鈥欌�� says Vihanga Thotagamuwa (fourth-year, Chemistry). 鈥淭he event provided incredible information and guidance on navigating challenges in the business sector.鈥�
Vihanga found the evening to be 鈥渁n uplifting experience for students in every program.鈥� Launchbox isn鈥檛 just for those in the School of Business鈥攕tudents from every program can find something valuable to learn from what it has to offer.
The Hardest Path, the Greatest Reward
And while it can be for anyone who wants to take a swing at it, no matter their major, entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It鈥檚 filled with late nights, self-doubt, and moments when giving up seems easier than pushing forward. But it鈥檚 also about resilience鈥攖he ability to rise, adapt, and turn challenges into opportunities.
Four incredible students pitched their businesses under four different categories, proving that with determination and vision, anything is possible:
? Startup Award: Rowan Norrad, Founder of Equlantic Aquatic Monitoring Inc.
? Small Business Award: Nate Wickens, Founder of Next Level Property Management & Services
? Food Business Award & Valley Women鈥檚 Business Network Award: Megan Glasgow, Founder of Calypso Bites
? Social Enterprise Award & Audience Choice Award: Alex Dulay, Founder of Touching Hearts
Watching the dedication of these students turn into success was nothing short of inspiring.
Learning from the Best
However, the night wasn鈥檛 just about recognizing achievements of current students; it was about learning from those who have walked this path before. The panel discussion with Chelsey MacNeil (CEO of the ), Gregg Curwin (Co-founder and CEO of ), and Junior Moaku (Founder of ), brilliantly led by Suzanne Knight (07鈥�; Co-founder of ) was packed with insights, real-life experiences, and powerful advice.
Suzanne Knight was 鈥減roud to see the energy and ambition coming from the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs. This banquet was a glimpse of what鈥檚 possible when we invest in young talent and create space for them to lead.鈥�
The keynote speaker, Alex MacLean ('15), was just another 网曝吃瓜 student with an idea in 2013 when he founded as a project for his entrepreneurship course A year and half later, while still a student, Alex had sold 300,000 hoodies. A decade later, he continues to evolve, actively adapting, embracing challenges, and staying ahead of the curve to ensure continued relevance and growth. His inspiring story is the perfect example of what鈥檚 possible when passion meets perseverance.
Launchbox: More Than Just a Space
As we wrapped up this incredible night, one thing was clear: the future of entrepreneurship at 网曝吃瓜 is brighter than ever. And at Launchbox, we will continue to fuel that fire.The Launchbox Innovation Awards Banquet was not just a one-night event; it was a statement. A promise. A testament to what鈥檚 possible at 网曝吃瓜.
So, to every aspiring entrepreneur reading this - your journey starts here. Your ideas matter. And you are capable of more than you know.
See you at the next Launchbox event - where innovation never ends!