Meet the advisors behind the World Cup winning Enactus Saint Mary’s team

From left to right: Meredith Drost BComm’19 MTEI’25, Leslie Arsenault BComm’19, Jason Turner, Michael Sanderson MBA’08 and Brennan Daley BSc’16 

Behind the Enactus Saint Mary’s World Cup-winning team is a group of advisors who have quietly shaped generations of student leaders. Through mentorship, guidance and a shared belief in learning by doing, they help students turn ideas into meaningful action, often in ways that extend far beyond campus. 

Enactus Saint Mary’s at the 2025 World Cup in Thailand

Enactus Saint Mary’s is a student-led organization, supported by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University. Through entrepreneurship and innovation, students create meaningful social, environmental and economic impact. From early-stage ideas to ventures generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue, the program gives students a platform to apply what they’re learning beyond the classroom, building real businesses and addressing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a journey that led to them winning the World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2025. 

For Michael Sanderson MBA’08, who has been involved since 2003, Enactus Saint Mary’s has always been about leadership development. As one of the earliest advisors, he remembers when the team was just 11 students dreaming about how big Enactus could become. From taking the team to watch the World Cup in Toronto, Ontario, in 2005 to experiencing the monumental Saint Mary’s World Cup win, Michael has seen firsthand how confidence, presentation skills and belief can change the trajectory of a student’s life. 

That long-term growth is something Jason Turner, an advisor since 2007, holds especially close. He recalls the team placing in the top four at the National Exposition for the first time. This moment felt like a turning point for Enactus Saint Mary’s. Even more meaningful, he says, is seeing former students like Brennan, Meredith and Leslie step into advisory roles, a full-circle moment that reflects the strength of the Enactus community.  

Brennan Daley BSc’16, an advisor since 2016, is one of those alumni. Brennan helps ensure students have what they need to succeed. While he jokes about the travel opportunities, what truly keeps him coming back is watching students grow, mature and step confidently into their careers—a journey he understands deeply, having met his wife through Enactus. 

Leslie Arsenault BComm’19, an advisor since 2019, began her Enactus journey serving as a project manager for a program that helped neurodiverse entrepreneurs create business plans. She also travelled to Asembo, Kenya, to deliver entrepreneurship training and initiatives. For Leslie, Enactus was a place where academic achievements and community could intersect. She learned how to apply classroom learning in ways that could make a positive impact on the community. Today, she continues advising to be part of that same journey for the next generation of leaders. 

Meredith Drost BComm’19 MTEI’25, an advisor since 2023, was drawn to Enactus when she saw the impact it made on communities and students alike. After joining her first Enactus meeting, she knew she had found a group of people committed to creating real change. For the same reason, she now gives her time as an advisor, a commitment that earned her the John Dobson Fellow of the Year 2025 award from Enactus Canada for her dedication to advancing entrepreneurial learning and student success. 

Together, these advisors foster an environment where students from business, science, arts and beyond can grow into leaders, build impactful ventures and give back to their communities, all while addressing global challenges in meaningful ways. 

Learn more about Enactus Saint Mary’s

From Pugwash to the World Cup stage: BComm student champions community, entrepreneurship and global impact

BComm student Olivian Sanderson presents at the Enactus World Cup stage in Bangkok, Thailand

Olivian Sanderson grew up in Pugwash, Nova Scotia—a rural, picturesque fishing village with approximately 800 full-time residents. In just a few short years since coming to Saint Mary’s, she’s had the chance to travel the world and make a meaningful impact in the community through her involvement with Enactus Saint Mary’s and the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Growing up, Olivian learned from her parents the importance of hard work, community and seizing opportunities. She made an impression during her high school years as Chair of the Cumberland County Youth Council, Student Council President, Ambassador for the Nova Scotia International Student Program and recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Award (2022) and Governor General’s Academic Medal of Canada (2023).

When considering universities, Olivian knew she wanted to experience city life and find a program that would allow her to pursue her passion for business and community building. Knowing its reputation as one of Canada’s best business schools, she applied to the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s.

She was the successful recipient of a Sobey National Innovator Scholarship, including on her application: “Looking to the future, I have big dreams and aspirations. I am passionate about understanding how the economy works and plan to use my skills to be involved in projects that support the community, as it has provided so much for me. I want to make the best world for myself and the people around me.”

Now a third-year accounting and management student, she’s made great strides toward her goals as the Co-Founder of the Sociable start-up and presenter for the global award-winning Enactus team.

Launching Sociable

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Despite being very involved in high school, Olivian found the first few weeks of university difficult and lonely. Determined to find her place at Saint Mary’s, she dove headfirst into everything – trying out multiple societies and volunteering. Ultimately, it was Enactus and the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre where she found her place among people who shared her passion for big dreams and doing business for good.

During a session with Enactus Saint Mary’s, the idea for the Sociable start-up was formed. Sociable is an online community platform that helps students connect, get peer support and gain access to campus events. It builds student engagement, boosting student retention, wellness and success. Olivian and co-founder of Sociable, Jason Phonchareon BSc’25, developed the start-up to address student loneliness and mental health concerns, something they both experienced.

In 2024, Sociable won the Dream Chaser Change Maker (DCCM) Foundation Social Impact Award, which included a $10,000 prize to support business development – bringing Olivian one step closer to making a positive impact on students’ lives.  

Seeing the world with Enactus

In 2024, Enactus Saint Mary’s won the National Enactus Championship for the first time. As a member of the presentation team, Olivian had the opportunity to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, to represent Canada in the World Cup competition. While they didn’t win in Kazakhstan, it was an incredible learning experience for Olivian and her teammates.

In 2025, during Olivian’s second year as presentation team captain, the Saint Mary’s team earned their second National Championship win. This time, they travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, to compete against 28 of the best teams from around the world in the Enactus World Championship.

The team worked around the clock on their presentation about two student-run social enterprises—Alaagi and Square Roots—practicing, editing and preparing to answer questions. Olivian applied her work ethic and passion to the Enactus presentation, sharing the inspiring work being done by students at Saint Mary’s. Facing finalists from Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Germany, their presentation wowed the judges, and the team was crowned Enactus World Champion – the first world title for Saint Mary’s University.

Olivian on stage at the Enactus World Cup in Thailand

Enactus Saint Mary’s celebrates winning the World Cup

Reflecting on her first two years at Saint Mary’s, Olivian sometimes shakes her head at how much she has experienced. Her advice to new students: get as involved as you can.

“Classes are great, but you will have life-changing experiences in extra-curricular activities. The mentorship, the soft skills, and the network – so very valuable. It’s thanks to those experiences that I’ve been able to see the world.”

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Opportunities at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre are open to all Saint Mary’s students – check out their programs and events here.

Turning a diagnosis into impact: How Emma McGill is building community through Gluten Free Living

Emma McGill presents at a JA Nova Scotia event

Emma McGill sits comfortably between two worlds, science and entrepreneurship. An astrophysics and anthropology student, Emma is also the founder of Gluten Free Living. With support from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, the growing initiative focuses on supporting people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

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Emma’s journey into entrepreneurship began long before she ever thought of starting a business. At 12 years old, she was diagnosed with celiac disease, a moment that quickly reshaped everyday life for her and her family. Suddenly, grocery shopping became expensive and time-consuming, with gluten-free alternatives costing significantly more and often falling short in quality.

“I was told by my doctor that celiac disease was one of the easiest illnesses to live with because you just have to change your diet,” Emma recalls. “But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

As she grew older, Emma became more aware of how isolating the condition could be. Eating out with friends, attending work events or finding reliable information often came with stress and uncertainty. What stood out most was the lack of accessible, centralized support for people navigating similar experiences.

This gap is what inspired Gluten Free Living, with the platform currently growing through community events and social channels. It aims to create safe spaces where people can connect, share information and find trusted gluten-free options. In the long term, Emma envisions Gluten Free Living as a fully developed app that brings together verified health information, restaurant resources and practical financial tools, including an AI-powered assistant to help users navigate Canada’s complex celiac-related tax credits.

“The cost of gluten-free food can be two to five times higher than regular food,” Emma says. “I wanted to build something that helps people not only protect their health, but also manage the financial reality that comes with it.”

While entrepreneurship might seem far from astrophysics, Emma sees more overlap than expected. Skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork and proposal writing transfer easily between the lab and the business world. Her involvement with Enactus Saint Mary’s has further strengthened those skills, connecting her with a community of students who are driven to create a meaningful impact.

That sense of momentum has only grown following Enactus Saint Mary’s recent World Cup win in Bangkok, Thailand, which Emma believes has energized the broader entrepreneurial community both on campus and beyond. “There’s this excitement now,” she says. “People feel encouraged to build things that matter.”

For Emma, Gluten Free Living is about more than food. It’s about visibility, connection and reminding people that they’re not alone.

“You shouldn’t have to struggle quietly just because something is labelled as ‘manageable,’” she says. “Community makes a difference.”

Interested in learning more about how entrepreneurship can blend with other areas of study? Explore programs and events here.

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Watch Emma’s interview on CTV News

Saint Mary's University wins the Enactus World Cup!

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team celebrates winning the World Cup

Enactus Saint Mary’s Co-President Courtney Dingle accepts an award as the team moved on to the Top 16

SMU represents Canada at the Parade of Flags at the World Cup

Team Canada with Enactus Board Chair Iain Aitken

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team has captured the global championship at the 25th Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. Their 12-minute presentation on two student-run social enterprises—Alaagi and Square Roots—outperformed finalists from Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Germany. This victory marks the first world title for Saint Mary’s University, which competed against 28 national champion teams from around the globe.

Twenty-one students and staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre represented Team Canada. Co-Presidents Courtney Dingle and Sarah Wheeler, along with Gabe Martin BA’25, led the team through a year of groundbreaking work.

"The true win here isn't the trophy, it's the global proof that profit and purpose can coexist,” says Courtney Dingle. “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."

Alaagi: Revolutionizing packaging with seaweed

Alaagi bio-plastic developed at Saint Mary’s

Alaagi is a revolutionary bio-plastic company aiming to disrupt the global packaging industry. The student-led venture has developed an eco-friendly and fully bio-degradable plastic wrap utilizing biopolymers sourced from seaweed.

Alaagi's innovation addresses the massive problem of single-use plastic pollution by offering a viable, compostable alternative. The team profiled Alaagi’s recent advancements to create an industry-standard film suitable for challenging applications like meat and seafood packaging. As part of the World Cup-winning presentation, the team highlighted the startup’s recent success at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator in London, UK. Alaagi was named one of the top 24 student start-ups in the world in the competition for $1 million in seed funding.

Square Roots: Turning food waste into access

Square Roots offers produce boxes to communities across Nova Scotia

Addressing dual problems of food waste and food insecurity, Square Roots purchases imperfect-looking surplus directly from local farmers and sells it at affordable prices to families in need, ensuring greater access to fresh, nutritious food for those facing economic hardship. Since its inception, the initiative has expanded across Nova Scotia and has diverted over a million pounds of food from landfills while empowering local community managers as entrepreneurs.

A win for sustainability, innovation, and Canada

"We are thrilled to celebrate the Enactus Saint Mary's team bringing home the World Cup to Canada!” said Catherine Fowler, President & CEO of Enactus 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."

This recognition, winning the Enactus World Cup, is a momentous achievement for Saint Mary’s University, Nova Scotia and Canada, showcasing student entrepreneurship, impact and innovation on the world stage.

Enactus Saint Mary’s represented Canada in the global competition

“This world championship is a powerful reminder of what our students are capable of achieving when creative minds come together to make great things happen,” says Michael Khan, Saint Mary’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Their innovation, resilience and drive are changing communities here in Nova Scotia, while inspiring solutions for global challenges. The entire Saint Mary’s community are immensely proud of them.”

Saint Mary's commitment to entrepreneurship, championed by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, drives this success. The university cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset, focused on problem-solving, resilience and creativity across all faculties, ensuring students like those behind Alaagi and Square Roots have the holistic support to achieve global impact.

"This global title is validation that our students aren't just learning about business, they are actively building world-class, scalable solutions for major global problems," says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. "To see Alaagi, fresh off being named a Top 24 startup at the Hult Prize in London, combined with the proven impact of Square Roots, recognized at the international level, is a source of immense pride. These students are true change makers."

Watch the winning presentation:

Related:

• Alaagi joins Nestlé & UNESCO Top 100 Global Start-Ups

• Saint Mary’s Enactus team to represent Canada at the World Cup Exposition in Thailand

• Student-led startup named Canadian Champion at Hult Prize National Competition

• One million pounds of perfectly imperfect food feeds Nova Scotians

Alaagi joins Nestlé & UNESCO Top 100 Global Start-Ups

Tyler MacLean, Vaishali Sachdeva and Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25 competed for the Hult Prize in London

Summer 2025 has been a landmark season for Alaagi, a cleantech startup founded by recent Saint Mary’s University graduate Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25.

After spending August in London, UK at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator, Khan and teammates Tyler MacLean and Vaishali Sachdeva returned home to even bigger news: Alaagi has been named one of the Top 100 Global Start-ups by the Nestlé and UNESCO Youth Impact: Because You Matter program.

The recognition includes a grant and six months of mentorship designed to help young innovators strengthen sustainable food systems through regenerative agriculture, climate change solutions, and packaging innovations.

“The Hult Prize accelerator was completely transformative,” said Sheheryar Khan. “To spend a month with global leaders, investors, and other start-ups gave us insights and connections that would have taken years to build. Now, being recognized by Nestlé and UNESCO confirms our mission is resonating.”

Alaagi is developing compostable, seaweed-based bioplastic films for seafood and meat packaging. In the past year:

• Alaagi has secured over $11 million in commercial LOIs, including pilots with Sobeys and High Liner Foods.

• The company has received four purchase orders and won $165K in non-dilutive funding.

• Alaagi is being presented at Enactus World Cup, through Enactus Saint Mary’s, in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Alaagi will soon head to Paris for the Nestlé/UNESCO showcase event.

Learn more about entrepreneurship opportunities for students through SMU’s Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Saint Mary’s Enactus team to represent Canada at the World Cup Exposition in Thailand

Enactus Saint Mary’s won the National Championship in 2025

Saint Mary’s students head to Bangkok, Thailand, to represent Canada for the second year in a row at the Enactus World Cup Exposition

Last May, Enactus Saint Mary’s competed against 50 Canadian schools to win the Enactus Canadian National championship and the honour of being the only university to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup Exposition from September 25-28 in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the second year in a row that the Saint Mary’s team has been named national champions and represented Canada on the world stage.   

Enactus, the world's largest student leadership organization, empowers its members to use entrepreneurial action to solve environmental, social and economic issues. Teams from around the world tackle global problems and showcase their successes in regional, national and worldwide competitions.  

“Enactus Saint Mary’s University is a model for innovation and social entrepreneurship, and we are proud to have them represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup,” says Catherine Fowler, President and CEO, Enactus Canada. “From their leadership on Square Roots to their innovation on alternatives to single-use plastics with Alaagi, we are confident the team will be a top competitor amongst the 32 countries represented at the World Cup.” 

Enactus Saint Mary’s entrepreneurial actions enabled them to create social, environmental and economic impact. This year, their success comes from a passionate commitment to fostering positive change through two key ground-breaking projects: 

Alaagi 

Launched in July 2024, Alaagi is redefining the future of packaging. This student-led initiative has created a durable, fully compostable bioplastic made from seaweed. This innovative material can be used to make items like sandwich bags and grocery bags.  

Now, Alaagi is pioneering the world’s first industry-standard 10K Oxygen Transmission Rate bioplastic film suitable for meat and seafood packaging—an innovation with enormous commercial potential.  

Most recently, Alaagi has secured over $155,000 in non-diluted funding and was one of the top 24 teams in the world competing for the Hult Prize of $1 million in start-up funding.  

Square Roots 

Square Roots is a standout Enactus Saint Mary’s initiative and one of the longest-running projects in the Enactus Canada network. Founded in 2016, this Community Interest Corporation tackles two major issues—food waste and food insecurity—by rescuing surplus produce and providing it to customers in need at reduced prices.  
The project sources “seconds”—fresh produce that’s often discarded due to slight imperfections in appearance—directly from local farmers. Square Roots Community Managers then distribute it affordably across Nova Scotia.   

Starting with two locations in Halifax, Square Roots has expanded to 27 locations across Nova Scotia and has provided over 1 million pounds of fresh produce to community members. 

The team, led by Co-Presidents and accounting students Courtney Dingle and Sarah Wheeler, along with Gabe Martin BA’25, features 62 students from the Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. Twenty-one students will make the trip to the World Cup, along with staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. Saint Mary’s is the only university representing Canada in this competition. 

“We are incredibly proud of the efforts of every student who has made up this team,” says Co-President Courtney Dingle. “Their dedication to making the world around them better has earned us the title of National Champion for the second consecutive year, and we are excited to watch them take on the 2025 Enactus World Cup in Thailand.” 

This year, third-year accounting student and team captain Olivian Sanderson, third-year accounting and global business management student Becca Sullivan and second-year engineering student Mia Makhlouf take center-stage along with tech team Maya Campbell BComm’25 and criminology student Prateek Tamta. The team will compete in three rounds before a world champion is named. In addition, Saint Mary’s University will also represent Canada in the early-stage competition, comprised of account and business management student Kavya Shah, finance and accounting student Zach Collier and the tech team, accounting and finance student Hanna Johnson and marketing student Leah McNamara.

Follow the team’s journey on the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Canada social media channels.   

Alaagi is one step closer to $1 million

SMU sustainable business advances to the next stage of the Hult Prize Competition

Sheheryar Khan, Vaishali Sachdeva and Tyler MacLean

Alaagi, a company created by recent SMU graduate Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25, is disrupting the plastic industry. Launched in July 2024, Alaagi is redefining the future of packaging.

The Alaagi team, comprised of Khan, Vaishali Sachdeva and Tyler MacLean, competed against 56 international teams in the Hult Prize Competition and is one of 22 to advance to the next round.

The Saint Mary’s University student-led initiative has created a durable, fully compostable bioplastic made from seaweed. This innovative material can be used to make items like sandwich wrap and grocery bags. Additionally, the plastic film can be heat sealed to preserve freshness.

Khan demonstrates how the bioplastic is made at the Alaagi lab space on SMU campus

Alaagi bioplastic sample

Now, Alaagi is creating the world’s first bioplastic film that meets the industry-standard 10K Oxygen Transmission Rate. This bioplastic film, suitable for meat and seafood packaging, is an innovation with enormous commercial potential.

The team was named National Champions after competing against 19 other Canadian teams at the Hult Prize Competition in March, allowing them to advance to this latest round of competition.

“Being a part of the Hult Prize Global Accelerator is a dream come true,” says Vaishali Sachdeva, Saint Mary’s University arts student. “The incredible mentorship through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and the Hult team has helped us accelerate our business. I am so excited to represent Alaagi and Saint Mary’s University in London this August.”

The Hult Prize competition consists of five stages. Alaagi now moves on to Stage 4: the Global Accelerator, held in person in London this August. There, 22 teams will receive intensive mentorship, strategic guidance and networking opportunities. Of those, only eight will be selected to compete in the Global Finals in September, pitching their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges for the $1 million prize.

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Watch: Saint Mary’s University students transforming seaweed into compostable plastic (CTV News)

Saint Mary's students win national Enactus title—again!

Halifax team to represent Canada on a global stage with world-changing projects

For the second year in a row, students from Saint Mary’s University have been named Canada’s national champions in a countrywide competition celebrating bold ideas and real-world impact.

Their win means Saint Mary’s will once again represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, this September, competing against top student teams from around the world.

The team rose to the top at the Enactus Canada National Exposition, held this week at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, where more than 600 students from over 50 post-secondary institutions across the country gathered to showcase their work. After three rounds of intense competition, Saint Mary’s emerged victorious.

At the heart of their success are two projects making a difference here at home:

• Square Roots fights food waste and hunger by rescuing “imperfect” produce and selling it affordably across Nova Scotia.

• Alaagi™ offers a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging—turning seaweed into biodegradable wrap.

In addition to the first-place national win, Enactus also place in three separate topic challenges. 

• Innovation and Impact Challenge, powered by Enactus Alumni – 1st place

• Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge – 2nd place 

• TD Entrepreneurship Challenge – 2nd place 

Finally, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre’s Business Design Manager, Meredith Drost, was awarded the John Dobson Fellow of the Year by Enactus Canada for her dedication to advancing entrepreneurial learning and student success. 

Enactus Saint Mary’s now moves to the global stage, bringing with them Canadian innovation, East Coast spirit and a commitment to change the world.

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. 

Student-led startup named Canadian Champion at Hult Prize National Competition

Founded by Sheheryar Khan, a soon-to-be graduate in the Diploma in Engineering program at Saint Mary’s University, Alaagi is on a mission to replace traditional plastics with sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Using seaweed and other marine resources, the company creates fully compostable plastics.

The Alaagi team—comprised of SMU students Sheheryar Khan, Gabe Martin and Vaishali Sachdeva—was named National Champion after competing against 19 other teams from across Canada at the competition held in March at McGill University.

Kate Ramirez of the Hult Prize with Vaishali Sachdeva, Sheheryar Khan and Gabe Martin of Alaagi, and Hult Prize Advisor Aarondeep (Aaron) S. Bains

Another Saint Mary’s team that competed was Sociable, an online platform founded by Olivian Sanderson and Jason Phonchareon. The platform aims to help students build meaningful relationships through shared interests and community events.

With the national win, the Alaagi team immediately moves on to the next phase of the competition, working toward the grand prize of $1 million to be awarded at the Global Finals in London in September 2025. Alaagi has been mentored through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and is currently incubated through Enactus Saint Mary’s.

““Working with the team at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre was truly transformative. They supported my vision and taught me fundamental skills like how to pitch and manage my business. But I also have to credit my mom—she sent me to Saint Mary’s and to Canada to chase my dreams.””

— Sheheryar Khan

Alaagi Founder Sheheryar Khan presents at the Hult Prize Canadian National Competition

The Hult Prize is a globally recognized social entrepreneurship competition that challenges students to tackle the world’s most pressing issues through innovative business ideas. Each year, more than 187,000 students from 113 countries and 1,324 universities participate, pitching solutions for a chance to win $1 million.

“The Canadian National Competition was competitive and exciting! It was amazing to see teams from across the country come together—not just as competitors, but as colleagues supporting one another through the process,” said Kate Ramirez, North American Regional Manager of the Hult Prize. “This was the first Canadian National Hult Prize competition, and it set the tone for what’s to come.”

The Hult Prize competition consists of five stages. With their national win, Alaagi enters Stage 3: the Digital Incubator. Alongside 60 top teams from around the world, they will refine their ideas, validate product-market fit, build proof-of-concept models, and develop go-to-market strategies. Successful teams will progress to Stage 4: the Global Accelerator, held in person in London this August, where 28 teams will receive intensive mentorship, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities. Of those, eight will be selected to compete in the Global Finals in September, pitching their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges for the $1 million prize.

Follow the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre online for more updates on Alaagi’s journey and other student entrepreneur success stories.

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The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University is Atlantic Canada’s premier hub for fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and driving open innovation. Over the past five years, the Centre has supported over 4,000 students and 3,000 businesses through programs, mentorship, and entrepreneurial engagement activities.

One million pounds of perfectly imperfect food feeds Nova Scotians

Square Roots, a Nova Scotia social enterprise founded at Saint Mary’s University, celebrates major milestone

Square Roots team members sorting produce for a community pick-up event

Square Roots, founded by Saint Mary’s University students in 2016, buys imperfect yet perfectly edible food from local farmers and sells it directly to customers at a price that is 50% less than the grocery store. Nova Scotians benefit from getting healthy food at a more affordable price and farmers benefit because they get revenue from the food that would otherwise go to waste. This month, Square Roots celebrates the major milestone of delivering one million pounds of food since its beginning in 2016.

“We could not have done it without the student teams, the community champions and the farmers. ”

— Courtney Dingle, Square Roots president

“Square Roots is delighted to reach this one million pounds of food milestone. We could not have done it without the student teams, the community champions and the farmers. We believe this is just the beginning of what’s possible. We are currently in 16 communities and want to be in every county in Nova Scotia by April 2025, and we have a vision to take this model nationally,” says Courtney Dingle, Square Roots president and SMU business student.

Square Roots was developed by students at SMU who participate in an international student program called Enactus. Enactus marries entrepreneurial-minded students with social action. Square Roots addresses the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity. At the farm level, 30% of harvested produce is dumped into landfills due to cosmetic imperfections despite being perfectly healthy. Square Roots rescues this "less attractive" produce that would otherwise be discarded, offering it at affordable prices to those with limited access to healthy food.

Working with local contacts, Square Roots is currently bringing food to over 25 communities across Nova Scotia—the newest being Port Hawkesbury, D’Escousse, Sydney, Baddeck, Cornwallis Park, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Mill Village and Lunenburg. The team intends to be in all Nova Scotia counties by May 2025 and, in the bigger picture, has plans to expand across Canada by 2026.

A community member looks through produce at a Square Roots market

Saint Mary’s Enactus students created Square Roots in 2016

The SMU Enactus team is well-recognized in Canada and around the world. They have placed in the top 4 at the Canadian Enactus National Championships for 11 of the last 13 years and won the Canadian National Championship in 2024. With this recognition, the team represented Canada at the Global Enactus Championship in Kazakhstan in October 2024.

September 2025 update

After winning the National Championship for the second year in a row, Enactus Saint Mary’s travelled to the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where they were named Global Champions for the first time! Read more about their Global Championship win and watch the award-winning presentation.

Enactus Saint Mary's secures first place in Environmental Sustainability, Innovation & Impact and Entrepreneurship Competitions

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team at the Atlantic Regional Exposition in February 2025

Saint Mary's University placed first in three regional challenges at the Enactus Canada Atlantic Regional Exposition: the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge, the Innovation and Impact Challenge powered by Enactus Alumni and the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge.

The team's success solidifies its leadership position in the Enactus network for its continued dedication to positive change through entrepreneurial action and sustainable business practices.

Championing Environmental Sustainability
The judges were impressed with Square Roots and EmerAlt, two projects in the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge. Square Roots provides affordable fruit and vegetables to community members across Nova Scotia. EmerAlt is creating plastic cutlery from potato starch.

Driving Innovation and Impact
In the Innovation and Impact Challenge, powered by Enactus Alumni, Enactus Saint Mary's showcased its ability to identify and address real-world problems with creative solutions. Their project Alaagi, only in its first year of conception, won first place for its powerful combination of ingenuity and practical application. The judges were particularly impressed by the team's ability to develop a solution that focused on sustainability.

Empowering Entrepreneurial Spirit
In the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, the team showcased Square Roots and their ongoing growth by launching seven new locations, now totalling 16 across Nova Scotia. This expansion further proved the program's dedication to community empowerment. The team provided 25 entrepreneurs with essential skills, valuable tools and knowledge to foster entrepreneurial success within the community. 

With the recent win, Enactus Saint Mary's will compete in four competitions at the Enactus Canada National Exposition from May 6-8 in Calgary, Alberta, including defending its national championship title.  

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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.  

Saint Mary's team has impressive finish at Enactus World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan

Enactus Saint Mary’s team and faculty advisers from Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

Presenters pitching at the top 16 round of competition

Co-Presidents: Paige Bigelow BComm’24, Susan MacInnis, Courtney Dingle and Gabe Martin

Accesstructure team: Hannah Meagher, Ashish Ganapathy and Aneesa Hussain

Early Stage competition presenters: Maya Campbell, Lydia Lee, Vaishali Sachdeva and Rebecca Sullivan

The Saint Mary’s University Enactus team has returned home, buoyed by the thrill of placing in the top 16 in the world, with an exceptional performance at the prestigious Enactus World Cup, held October 2-4 in Astana, Kazakhstan.  

The team's journey to the World Cup began in May 2024, when the Enactus Saint Mary’s team secured the Enactus National Championship title against 49 Canadian post-secondary institutions. This victory propelled them, for the first time in SMU history, to the world's premier stage for student-led business innovation and social impact.  

Facing fierce competition with pioneering solutions 

This year, the Cup brought together teams from 29 countries. The competition was fierce, with talented teams from Germany, Morocco, Republic of Korea and Tunisia, vying for the top prize. While Tunisia ultimately secured the top spot, Enactus Saint Mary's distinguished themselves with their innovative projects, Plastarch and Square Roots, and dedication to social good. Square Roots tackles the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity by rescuing "imperfect" produce that would otherwise be discarded and offering it at affordable prices, and Plastarch is a pioneering enterprise to develop a sustainable bioplastic alternative for food packaging and utensils crafted from an unlikely source—discarded potatoes.  

Co-Presidents of Enactus Saint Mary's, Courtney Dingle and Gabe Martin say," To highlight a specific moment from the 2024 Enactus World Cup that was impactful to our team we would point to the cultural fair that happened before the opening ceremonies. Getting to share local snacks, play field hockey sticks with the other teams, and share our Canadian pride was an amazing experience. Being at an Enactus competition is always such a collaborative experience and that was equally true at the 2024 Enactus World Cup. Meeting teams from across the world and feeling supported by them meant so much to everyone on our team, and it was magical to be able to support students from other countries as well. The 2024 Enactus World Cup was an amazing experience for our team, to get to showcase our work on the global stage and get feedback from such diverse perspectives is something we really value. We are so grateful for all of the support we have had to get to this point and are so proud of every member of our team for their dedication and for the work they have put in to reach this level." 

Courtney Dingle

Gabe Martin

In addition to placing in the top 16 in the World Cup, a team of two Enactus Saint Mary’s team members, Aneesa Hussain and Ashish Ganapathy, and Hannah Meagher from Dalhousie placed second in the Bentley—iTwin4Good Challenge held at the Enactus World Cup with a $2,000 USD prize. Their innovative project, Accesstructure, showcased their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Accesstructure is platform that automates accessibility audits of campus facilities, identifying non-compliance issues across various legislation and standards. The groundbreaking tool ensures that campus environments are inclusive and welcoming for all students, staff and visitors.  

The Accesstructure team reflects the experience saying, “Our biggest takeaway from the competition was the cultural exchange that took place not only during the cultural exhibition but throughout the remainder of the competition and afterward too. Meeting people from different continents, and sharing food, games, and music amongst ourselves helped us broaden our horizons and gain a richer perspective. Another highlight was participating in the iTwin4Good challenge at the Enactus World Cup, where we had the opportunity to present innovative solutions that address social and environmental issues through technology. This challenge reinforced the importance of creating lasting impact and reminded us that, regardless of the differences in our cultures or backgrounds, we all share a common goal: to build a better, more inclusive future. The connections we made and the ideas exchanged throughout the competition will continue to inspire us as we work towards making a meaningful difference in our communities.” 

“We are so proud of the hard work and everything that the teams have accomplished this year. Square Roots, Plastarch and Accesstructure are leading examples of Enactus project success, the impact students can have on the UN SDG goals, and how a social enterprise can continue to grow, evolve and support sustainability in the community and beyond,” said Catherine Fowler, President and CEO of Enactus Canada. 

Team visiting Canadian Embassy in Astana

Nathaniel Collier, Tyler Hutchinson and Gabe Martin in front of Astana Opera

A student shopping at a souvenir shop

Hanging out at a park in Astana, Kazakhstan

Tyler Hutchinson, Sara Wheeler, Maya Campbell, Gabe Marting in the Astana Grand Mosque

Aneesa Hussain and Mya MacDonald at the shopping mall

Iconic Future Energy Museum Nur Alem

From Halifax to Astana: a once-in-a-lifetime journey  

The journey to the Enactus World Cup was an adventure in itself. Astana, with its futuristic architecture and vibrant culture, provided a stunning backdrop for the competition. 

The team ventured beyond the competition, immersing themselves in Kazakh culture. They engaged with local people, visited iconic architectures, savoured traditional cuisine such as beshbarmak and shashlyk. This cultural exchange fostered understanding and appreciation. 

A visit to the Canadian Embassy in Astana further strengthened their connection with the global Canadian community. They met with embassy officials, discussing the importance of their work and the opportunities and challenges faced by Canadians abroad. 

Almost recovered from intense preparation and competition, a long transcontinental journey and significant time change, the Enactus Saint Mary’s team is already talking about the path to the next National and International championships. 

Join the Enactus Saint Mary's Team! 

Are you a passionate student looking to make a difference? The Enactus Saint Mary's team is comprised of 80 dedicated students from diverse backgrounds, all united by a passion for creating positive change, and is always looking for new members to join its ranks.  If you are interested in joining a dynamic team that tackles real-world challenges, visit their website to learn more about getting involved. 

About Enactus 

Enactus is a global nonprofit organization that empowers students to use entrepreneurial action to address social and environmental challenges. Enactus chapters around the world work together to develop and implement innovative projects that create positive change. Through Enactus, students gain valuable skills in leadership, teamwork and entrepreneurship, while also making a meaningful impact on their communities. 

Enactus can be followed @enactus. To learn more, visit enactus.org.