Our Impact
Inspiring and empowering young people
Inkovation Shines in Pitch Your Vision Competition
Congratulations to Inkovation from Earl Haig Secondary School in Toronto for winning the Spring Pitch Your Vision competition with their biodegradable ink solution!
We’re excited to celebrate the outstanding students who participated in our Spring Pitch Your Vision competition! JA Pitch Your Vision is a 6-week learning experience where students develop a business idea to support a UN Sustainable Development Goal, followed by a pitch competition. This spring, 329 students from 11 schools were guided by 8 dedicated volunteers from Cognizant, KingSett Capital and the community. 22 students from 4 schools advanced to the pitch competition.
The winning team, Inkovation, impressed the judges with their innovative idea to create biodegradable ink from leftover food and corn oil.
Participants loved collaborating with teammates, hearing feedback from business professionals and having creative freedom in developing their pitches. Many enjoyed learning about business plans and brainstorming ideas they felt could change the world.
THE WINNERS SHARED ABOUT THEIR experiences:
“JA has opened me up to the excitement of entrepreneurship; I’ve found my passion.” -Jenny M.
“A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be missed! Pitch Your Vision has allowed me to channel my inner entrepreneur into the skills necessary for running a business." - Tina Y.
“I have learned that presentation skills are just as important if not more important than the idea itself. Being able to pitch your idea to executives and other people confidently is a crucial skill in business. After all, how can other people believe your idea will work if even you don’t seem convinced?” – Elina J.
“As a young entrepreneur, JA has opened my eyes to the vast possibilities of the business world. The Pitch Your Vision competition has been an amazing opportunity for my team to learn how to apply business concepts to the real world.” – Grace F.
“The Pitch Your Vision Competition was an amazing opportunity for Team Inkovation to be creative, explore business fundamentals, and strive towards the resolution of critical societal issues. The entire experience from week one as we debated ideas, to our final pitch in front of business leaders, was truly memorable.” – Brandon W.
Inspired to be part of transformative learning opportunities like JA Pitch Your Vision? Explore our Learning Experiences today!
About JA Central Ontario
JA Central Ontario envisions a world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. They want to make sure all young people are economically empowered with the skills, confidence and networks to shape the future.
As a youth-centred charity, JA Central Ontario works together with a dedicated network of volunteers, partners and educators to deliver immersive learning in work readiness, financial health, entrepreneurship and more. JA students benefit from mentorship and real-world experiences, transforming their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations as they build their futures.
JA Central Ontario impacts students in Halton, Peel, Toronto, York, Durham and Simcoe regions. They are part of one of the world’s most-impactful youth-serving social good organizations – JA Worldwide – and they work closely with our national network, JA Canada
