April 9, 2025 – Ten youth from Atlantic Canada have been named as regional winners in the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Ingenious+ challenge. This national search for exceptional young innovators provides learning opportunities and financial support for projects that are creating change from the ground up. Each winner from Atlantic Canada will receive $1,000 to further their innovation and advance to the next level of the competition.
“It’s such an important time for innovation in Atlantic Canada,” says Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the RHF. “The aim of Ingenious+ is to empower Canada’s next generation of changemakers. These youth are going to make a big impact in their provinces and beyond.”
Regional winners from Atlantic Canada include an urban parking app that connects drivers with homeowners offering driveway parking spots, a sensor system that combats damage to vital marine ecosystems, and an initiative that provides free water safety and swimming lessons to newcomers to Canada.
These projects are only a small sample of the exceptional 2025 Ingenious+ challenge submissions in Atlantic Canada and across the country. The RHF will be announcing a new batch of regional winners each week, culminating in the national awards ceremony in Ottawa during Canadian Innovation Week, May 26-30, 2025.
For interview requests and further information:
Mélanie Béchard
Senior Communications Officer
Rideau Hall Foundation
613-914-0651
melanie.bechard@rhf-frh.ca
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/
Atlantic Region Winners
O.R.I.O.N. 3
Maxim Michaud, Edmundston – New Brunswick
A drone that uses AI and thermal imaging to dramatically speed up the search for missing persons. It improves response times and increases the chances of successful outcomes.
Youth Innovation and Professional Empowerment
Chinazam Igwe, Moncton – New Brunswick
This initiative empowers Black high school students through culturally relevant programs in entrepreneurship, STEM, and career development. By working with Black professionals, it provides hands-on training, resources, and mentorship.
Flutter TENG: Portable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Everyday Wind Energy Harvesting
Sophia Zhang, Mount Pearl – Newfoundland and Labrador
TENGs is a portable device that uses power management to harvest wind energy supporting the transition to a greener future.
Ninja Gymnastics
Megan McCallum, Saint John’s Newfoundland and Labrador
Ninja Gymnastics is a youth-led program that teaches coping mechanisms in a safe and inclusive learning environment to children with mental health challenges.
Community Lynx
Madeleine McEwen, Halifax – Nova Scotia
A community recycling initiative that collects unclaimed items from Lost and Found Centres and redistributes them at no cost to newcomers. Supported by 25 volunteers, the program cleans, transports, and delivers donated goods to those in need.
Eparkr
Ali Shahzodov, Bedford – Nova Scotia
Eparkr offers a solution to traffic congestion and driver frustration by connecting drivers with homeowners with unused driveways, providing affordable parking and generating passive income.
FIRE (Fundus Imaging for Retinal Evaluation)
Harry Nickerson, Halifax – Nova Scotia
An affordable retinal camera that captures detailed retinal images without pupil dilation. Through increasing accessibility, it helps expand eye disease screening.
Pill Smart 2.0
Joy Akinkunmi, Bedford – Nova Scotia
An automatic pill dispenser designed to help individuals with mild to moderate dementia manage their medication. Paired with a caregiver tracking app, it features smart alerts and secure dispensing to prevent missed or incorrect doses.
Starfish Sensor System
Zlata Honchar, Harsheen Bhatia, Sara Bregaw, and Kaelyn Simpson. Halifax – Nova Scotia
This system provides a novel approach to monitoring and restoring eelgrass meadows. By collecting marine conditions while supporting regrowth, it boosts carbon sequestration, and improves resilience against coastal erosion, pollution, and habitat degradation.
Swim X – Free swimming lessons for new Canadians
Xander Christian, Halifax – Nova Scotia
Swim X provides free swimming lessons to newcomers, fostering swimming skills, confidence, and safety while promoting an inclusive environment for all.
