Igniting Innovation: Impact X Brings Entrepreneurship to Life at St.FX
/Impact X is an event you won’t want to miss. The idea for an innovative entrepreneurship event became a reality in April 2023, founded by a dynamic group of individuals, including Alex Doward, Dr. Greg Hadley, Alexis MacDonald, Paula Brophy, Dr. Abede Mack and Dr. Neil Maltby, alongside three students—Erica Cameron, Isaac Herlihy, and Inka Mittler. Erica Cameron shared her thoughts on the upcoming event, saying, “It’s an opportunity for students to grow and be involved in St.FX’s entrepreneurship program.”
Over the last few years, St.FX has been working to expand its entrepreneurial ecosystem, achieving notable success with students going to external pitch competitions and events. However, Erica explained that the university recognized a gap: a lack of local opportunities for students to showcase their ideas and learn from each other. Impact X fills that void, offering an engaging space for students to learn, connect, and pitch ideas. The event is set to become a milestone for St.FX’s entrepreneurship program, fostering creativity and collaboration among students, professors, and the community.
The weekend-long event kicks off on Friday, November 22, with an evening set to inspire the community and prepare participants. The weekend will begin with a keynote address by Tareq Hadhad, the CEO and founder of Peace by Chocolate, whose story of resilience and success as a refugee is bound to leave a lasting impression. Following Tareq’s address, attendees will participate in elevator pitch workshops and introduction meetings in preparation for Saturday’s main pitch event. Even if you are not pitching at the competition, Friday evening is open to the entire community, making it a perfect opportunity to be part of the innovative and inspiring event.
Saturday’s event features roundtable workshops and other incredible speakers, such as Mallory Yawnghwe, the Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Box Inc. The weekend will finish with the main pitch event, where students will compete for a share of $10,000 in prizes. The highly anticipated competition has attracted participants from universities across the Maritimes and even high school students from Toronto. With a diverse mix of participants, the event is not just a competition but also a learning and networking opportunity.
Impact X is not only designed for students who want to pitch business ideas but also for those curious about entrepreneurship and the business world. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone looking to learn more about the creative process behind start-up companies, there is something for everyone at Impact X. Looking ahead, Erica expressed her hopes for the conference, stating, “I hope that the conference makes an impact on students and simply, it’s also just a cool event that I hope students can get excited for each year.” As a new tradition for the Business program at St.FX, Impact X is set to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in students and establish itself as a fundamental pillar in the university’s entrepreneurship program.
