Greg Bavington guiding students through a design thinking workshop

15 teams participated in DDQIC’s youth entrepreneurship pilot program from September 2022 to May 2023. Over 140 youth from 5 high schools in Hanoi, Toronto, and Kingston participated in an 8-month innovation training program and formed teams to identify a problem and develop a business plan. They submitted final pitches in a virtual, asynchronous competition. Members of DDQIC’s Global Network of entrepreneurial alumni judged the pitches and selected the winners.

Congratulations to Wellspring School in Hanoi whose teams placed first, second, and third! The teams were guided by their teacher, Garrett Mould, and supported by DDQIC’s Program Coach, Aqeela Somani. Their innovative solutions aimed to better connect trainees with gyms and personal trainers, help consumers to better identify bias and reliability in online media, and to broaden access to affordable university textbooks.

All students who participated had the opportunity to earn a micro-credential from Queen’s University in Starting Your Innovation Journey for completing the program training and submitting a final pitch.