The Fall 2024 Innovation Sprint came to an inspiring conclusion on November 20th with the Innovation Sprint Final Presentations. Over the past five weeks, four exceptional student teams tackled real-world business challenges in partnership with local organizations, demonstrating the power of innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The Innovation Sprint is a unique, career-accelerating program that immerses students in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment. Through collaboration with industry leaders, participants use design thinking and innovation methodologies to address pressing challenges faced by businesses and organizations. Beyond the solutions developed,, students gain invaluable skills, expand their professional networks, and make a real-world impact, all while receiving a $600 stipend for their efforts.
This fall, we were proud to work with four incredible partner organizations:
- JALD
- Pedesting
- Change is Good
- Kale Health
The final presentations showcased not only innovative solutions but also the dedication and ingenuity of our students. Each team took the stage to share their journey and deliver actionable insights for their partner organizations.
Meet the Fall 2024 Teams
Team JALD
Team JALD rose to the challenge, delivering innovative solutions for their partner organization. Among the standout contributors was Ethan Essex, a third-year Business Management student specializing in Innovation + Entrepreneurship. Ethan is deeply involved on campus, serving as an external executive for the MRU Ski & Snowboard Club and advocating for youth sports.
During the Sprint, Ethan facilitated team meetings and played a key role in crafting their final presentation. Reflecting on the experience, he shared:
“Working with a real company to solve issues alongside other students was incredibly fun. Seeing our mentors light up with excitement on presentation day made it all worth it—they even asked for a copy!”
Ethan plans to leverage the Sprint as a launchpad for future endeavors, aspiring to become an ambassador for the Institute and participate in more programs like Tech Liftoff. Congratulations to Ethan and Team JALD for their impactful work this semester!
Thanks to Rob Kerr and Tammy Snell for your mentorship during the program!
Team Pedesting
Team Pedesting explored how Pedesting can effectively increase their user base by identifying, reaching, and engaging new users for the Pedesting app. Through ideation in the areas of physical accessibility and community engagement, they validated that an interactive and accessible circuit designed to raise awareness for accessibility was the best path forward for Pedesting to explore!
Thanks to Josephine Mary, Erin Shilliday, and Nabeel Ramji for your mentorship during the program!
Team Change is Good
Team Change is Good worked diligently with their partner organization, showcasing creative and thoughtful solutions throughout the Sprint. A key team member, Gaurav Dongol, is a BBA student specializing in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. With a passion for problem-solving and a curiosity about improving business processes, Gaurav aspires to a future in consulting or launching his own business.
As an alumnus of Junior Achievement Southern Alberta, Gaurav brought entrepreneurial expertise to his team, particularly in product ideation and customer discovery. Reflecting on the experience, he highlighted the value of connections:
“The wonderful people you meet—peers, teammates, customers, and clients—make this program so impactful. From short stories to small talk, there’s always something to learn from everyone.”
Looking ahead, Gaurav plans to take part in other programs offered by the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, building on the skills and experiences gained during the Sprint. Congratulations to Gaurav and Team Change is Good for their fantastic work this fall!
Thanks to Heather Jansen for your mentorship during the program!
Team Kale Health
Team Kale Health collaborated with their partner organization to tackle complex challenges and deliver innovative solutions. A standout contributor on the team was Rayna Bowen, a second-year Information Design student with a passion for UX design. Rayna thrives in the iterative processes of ideating, wireframing, and testing solutions to meet user needs—a skill set she brought to life during the Sprint.
In her role, Rayna conducted and synthesized user research and took the lead in designing, writing, and wireframing the team’s end solution: a lead-generation survey. Reflecting on her experience, Rayna shared:
“Getting the opportunity to collaboratively work under a real business to solve authentic problems in a team-based context was the most impactful part of the Sprint. This experience will help me navigate the workplace in my career.”
Looking ahead, Rayna plans to leverage the collaboration and communication skills gained during the Innovation Sprint in her upcoming work experience term. With her dedication and growing expertise, we’re excited to see where her journey as a designer takes her next!
Thanks to Jennie Ding for your mentorship during the program!
A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Donors
The Innovation Sprint program wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our donors, the RBC Foundation and the Cathy and Bruce Williams Fund for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Their dedication to empowering students and fostering innovation allows us to provide career-accelerating opportunities that inspire the next generation of changemakers. Thank you for your endless support and belief in the potential of our students.
What’s Next for the Innovation Sprint?
We’re thrilled to announce the dates for the next cohort! The Winter 2025 Innovation Sprint will run from January 13th to February 12th, inviting a new group of students to step into the world of innovation and collaboration.
Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and cheered on the Fall 2024 Innovation Sprint cohort. Together, we’re building a stronger, more innovative future. Stay tuned for more updates from the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and we’ll see you in Winter 2025!