April 9, 2026 – Thirteen youth from Atlantic Canada are being celebrated as regional winners in the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Ingenious+ challenge. Now in its fifth year, Ingenious+ continues to support young innovators across the country as they turn ideas into action, providing funding, mentorship, and a national platform to grow their work.
This year’s Atlantic winners are being recognized in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at a ceremony hosted by the Honourable Mike Savage, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. The event brings together young innovators from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. Each winner will receive $1,000 to further develop their innovation and advance in the national competition.
“It’s an honour to celebrate these young innovators here in Atlantic Canada,” says Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation. “Each of these ideas comes from real experiences and real needs, from supporting newcomers and seniors, to protecting coastal ecosystems and improving accessibility. These young people are not waiting for permission to make change. They are already doing it.”
The 2026 Atlantic winners reflect a wide range of innovations, from assistive technologies and clean energy solutions to community initiatives and digital tools that foster inclusion and learning. Projects include an app that helps users understand visual impairments through simulation, a smart cane designed to prevent falls, a system to monitor invasive species in coastal waters, and programs that connect generations through technology and community care.
Across the country, interest in entrepreneurship is growing. Programs like Ingenious+ play an important role in supporting this momentum early, helping young people move from ideas to real-world solutions that contribute to stronger communities and a more competitive economy.
Since its launch in 2022, Ingenious+ has supported nearly 600 young innovators across Canada. This year’s regional winners join a growing national community of youth who are building solutions with creativity, empathy, and purpose.
Regional winners from Atlantic Canada include:
As I See It
Harry Nickerson. Halifax, Nova Scotia
This innovation is an app that simulates how people with different eye conditions see the world and educates users through experiential learning.
CRABSS: Crustacean Removal and Biodiversity Support System
Titiksha Dogra, Elma Shahini, Wah Jie (Jacky) Zhong, Inioluwa Adara, Oluwadarasimi (Dara) Ifesanya. Timberlea, Nova Scotia
CRABSS is an autonomous marine monitoring system that tracks invasive green crabs and environmental conditions to support biodiversity and coastal ecosystem management.
Community Lynx
Madeleine McEwen. Halifax, Nova Scotia
A community recycling initiative that collects, cleans and delivers unclaimed items from over 18 Lost and Found Centres in Halifax, and redistributes them at no cost to newcomers.
SMARTcane: Sensing/Monitoring Assistive Responsive TENG-Based Cane for Visually Impaired and Seniors
Sophia Zhang. Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
SMARTcane is the first low-cost cane attachment that allows caregivers to monitor a patient’s movements to prevent falls before they occur.
A.I.D.E – Artificial Intelligence for Distribution of Energy
Dev Gupta. Halifax, Nova Scotia
A.I.D.E. is a smart energy system that uses learning software to manage renewable power like solar and wind, helping cities keep electricity reliable and sustainable.
Smart Biodegradable De-Icer (S.B.D.)
Michael Goldman. Halifax, Nova Scotia
This innovation is a cost-effective road de-icing mixture that reduces environmental harm, while maintaining ice-melting efficiency in the winter.
Tween 3D Prints
Sophia Zhang. Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
Tween 3D Prints is the first cost-free program in Newfoundland and Labrador that gives every child the opportunity to have hands-on experience in 3D designing and printing.
SwimX
Xander Christian. Bedford, Nova Scotia
Swim X provides free swimming lessons to newcomers, fostering swimming skills, confidence, and safety while promoting an inclusive environment for all.
Blind Beta – Bouldering Assistant for the Visually Impaired
Elise Nickerson. Halifax, Nova Scotia
A mobile app for visually impaired climbers that uses body pose detection and audio guidance, to help them navigate routes independently and safely.
TecNurtur
Olumoroti Adegboyega. St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador
Through a dual‑impact model, TecNurtur offers technology workshops for children and seniors, in exchange for food donations to support local food banks.
Creators of Tomorrow – Creating for Elderly Project
Alpita Patro. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Creators of Tomorrow develops gamified interventions to support independent care for seniors facing health challenges by adapting memory games and developing assistive technology.
ECOTUB
Claudia Zhao. Bedford, Nova Scotia
ECOTUB is an eco‑friendly bathtub that automatically redirects greywater for use in toilet flushing, reducing household water waste.
Rooted Carbon
Nathanael Buschaus. Stilesville, New Brunswick
Rooted Carbon is a digital platform that uses artificial intelligence to estimate carbon sequestration for individual trees, providing clear insights from a single photograph.
Media Contact
Jill Clark
Sr Advisor, Strategic Communications and Media Relations
jill.clark@rhf-frh.ca
Rideau Hall Foundation
613-619-0230
About the Rideau Hall Foundation
The Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) is a non–partisan national charity that brings together ideas, people and resources to celebrate what is best about Canada while working with partners to meaningfully improve the lives of Canadians. The RHF celebrates excellence while creating opportunities and connecting communities, all towards the shared purpose of a better Canada. Learn more: https://rhf–frh.ca/
