Student Awards
Student Awards
Allison Kane Memorial Entrepreneurial Prize
1 Award of $1,000.00 presented annually
Deadline to apply: May 15, 2025
Award Description: Established by her friends and family in memory of Allison Marie Kane, a former University of Guelph student who was a well-respected leader in her community who had a vibrant personality and expressed her entrepreneurial spirit by returning to her family business after graduation.
Criteria for Selection: Selection will be based on demonstrated commitment to entrepreneurial pursuits through participation in the following programs offered by the John F. Wood Centre: Hub Incubator, Future You series or Bigger Picture Series and a community-based incubator, or programs extracurricular activities related to entrepreneurship, or other entrepreneurial pursuits in the current academic year.
Eligibility: Students registered in any program who have participated in the following programs offered by the John F. Wood Centre: Hub Incubator, Future You Series or Bigger Picture Series and who have been involved in a community-based incubator program, or extracurricular activities related to entrepreneurship, or other entrepreneurial pursuits in the current academic year. Students can only hold this award once.
Instructions for completing the application form: Applications will be submitted via the form below. Email woodcentre@uoguelph.ca if you have any questions.
Alayna Paolini (2023)
Linda Ngo (2022)
Hub Incubator Program Awards
Warren and Deborah Jestin Impact Award
Two awards are presented annually
- IgniteLab (Fall): $500 prize
- LaunchLab (Winter): $500 prize
Award Description: The Warren and Deborah Jestin Impact Award is given annually to a student in the Hub Incubator program. The award recognizes the business that demonstrates the highest community and social benefit along with a sustainable and profitable business model. The winner is decided each year by a panel of judges.
Navkiren Ghag, Throne Room (Winter 2025)
Kimia Mehrafshan, VitaMaker (Fall 2024)
Jessica Ulbikas, Code Red (Winter 2024)
Jessica Ulbikas, Code Red (Fall 2023)
Arianna Sultani, Whisk & Co. (Winter 2023)
Jessica Xu, Omochu Studios (2022)
Best Pitch Award
Two awards are presented annually
- IgniteLab (Fall): $500 prize
- LaunchLab (Winter): $500 prize
Award Description: The Best Pitch Award is given to the team that delivers the most compelling and well-structured pitch during the competition. Recipients of this award demonstrate strong storytelling, a clear and persuasive ask, and the ability to confidently address questions from the judges. This award recognizes not only the strength of the business idea but also the team’s ability to communicate its value effectively.
Nick Dernovsek and Sam Heard, Crown Kombucha, and Sammy Rutherford, Boosted Bouillon (Winter 2025)
Nick Dernovsek and Sam Heard, Crown Kombucha (Fall 2024)
Abdullah Al-Hayali, Dice Health (Winter 2024)
Zach Cymbaluk and Josh Jones, Unident (Fall 2023)
Segun Odumosu, ShopSurer (Winter 2023)
Jacob Claessens, Oriole AI (Fall 2022)
People's Choice Award
Two awards are presented annually
- IgniteLab (Fall): $250 prize
- LaunchLab (Winter): $500 prize
Award Description: The People’s Choice Award is given to the pitch that resonates most with the audience. Voted on by competition viewers, this award recognizes the team that delivers the most engaging, memorable, and impactful presentation.
Will Cheng, SeaSEAL (Winter 2025)
Sammy Rutherford, Boosted Bouillon (Fall 2024)
Marco Pepe, Myco-Phyto Bio Labs (Winter 2024)
Christine Mariathasan, Brainiome (Fall 2023)
Oilseed Innovation Partners Entrepreneurship Fund
2 Awards of $5,000.00 annually
Award Description: Students or student teams interested in commercializing a product or technology associated with an Oil seed are eligible for an award. This generous gift from the Oilseed Innovation Partners has been pivotal to the success of several student start-ups. To receive an award, students must apply to the Hub Incubator Program via the John F. Wood Centre for Business & Student Enterprise.
Olivia Lennon, Soy Salve (2022)
The John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise is developing innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Guelph. We look for innovative and sustainable solutions to economic, social and environmental problems. It is through this mission that we empower a new generation of business leaders committed to community engagement and a sustainable future. We instill in our students a sense of social responsibility and leadership, character-building values that help develop citizenship. We help to bring ideas to life!