Saint Mary’s student startups win Enactus World Cup in Thailand
Enactus Saint Mary’s team celebrates Enactus World Cup win
From the Springboard Content LAb and the Saint Mary’s newsroom
The Enactus Saint Mary’s team has won the 25th Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand.
Student-run social enterprises Alaagi and Square Roots beat out teams from Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Germany.
This victory is the world title for Springboard member Saint Mary’s University, which competed against 28 national champion teams from around the globe.
“The true win here isn’t the trophy, it’s the global proof that profit and purpose can coexist. We are constantly showing that our generation is ready to redefine what a successful business looks like. We’re building enterprises that heal the planet.”
– Enactus Saint Mary’s Co-president Courtney Dingle
Alaagi: Revolutionizing packaging with seaweed
Alaagi is a student-led bio-plastic venture that has developed an eco-friendly and fully biodegradable plastic wrap using biopolymers sourced from seaweed.
Earlier this year, the Alaagi team was named National Champion at Hult Prize after competing against 19 other teams from across Canada at the competition held at McGill University.
Square Roots: Turning food waste into access
Square Roots addresses food waste and food insecurity by purchasing imperfect-looking surplus directly from local farmers. It sells the food at affordable prices to families in need, ensuring greater access to fresh, nutritious food for those facing economic hardship.
The initiative has expanded across Nova Scotia and has diverted over a million pounds of food from landfills.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the Enactus Saint Mary’s team bringing home the World Cup to Canada! Square Roots is a leading example of how a social enterprise can grow and evolve, supporting sustainability in the community and beyond. We are also incredibly inspired by the team’s innovation in single-use plastic alternatives with Alaagi™, showcasing the long-term impact of investing in early-stage projects. This win truly represents the strength of our teams and program in Canada, which we couldn’t achieve without the incredible support of the faculty advisors, volunteers and donors.”
– Catherine Fowler, President & CEO of Enactus Canada
About Enactus Saint Mary’s
Enactus Saint Mary’s is a student-led organization dedicated to creating a better world through entrepreneurial action. They develop and implement projects that address social, environmental and economic challenges, empowering individuals and communities to thrive.