News Article

A team of students from College of the North Atlantic (CNA) has taken top honours in the first-ever virtual econext Ideathon, impressing judges with an innovative solution that uses fish waste to generate renewable energy.

Known as the “Hydro Heroes,” the team developed a proposal to install anaerobic digesters at seafood processing plants across Newfoundland and Labrador. These systems would convert organic waste, an estimated 140,000 tonnes annually, into biogas, a clean energy source that could be used directly by the plants. The idea targets a well-documented issue within the province’s seafood sector while advancing clean energy use and sustainability.

 

“We were given two weeks where we had to meet with mentors, participate in workshops, plan and research our idea, practice and film our pitch, all while taking seven courses this semester,” explained Breanna Seward, one of three Marketing Management and Analytics students on the winning team. “Through effective teamwork and many late nights at the library, the ideathon provided me with the skills of how to collaborate efficiently in high pressure situations, which is a key skill for the workplace and my next academic steps.”

The students, who had previously competed in CNA’s Business Case Competition, reassembled for the ideathon with a clear goal in mind: to explore a practical, local solution to a long-standing environmental challenge. Their shared experience gave them confidence in their ability to work efficiently as a team and draw on their complementary skill sets.

“This experience has opened my eyes toward the possibility of owning a business in an industry, I never would have considered,” said Keenan Crawley, adding he was filled with disbelief and pure excitement when they won. “This is an experience you can’t recreate in a workplace. Plus, getting to work alongside your classmates and doing the research together develops your relationship with them and you will become closer as friends.”

The team’s name, “Hydro Heroes,” reflects both the nature of their proposed energy solution and their desire to present a concept that was both memorable and clearly aligned with clean growth themes.

Their idea was shaped by international examples of how other regions manage seafood processing waste and inspired by the province’s urgent need for sustainable energy alternatives. The students saw the issue as a timely opportunity to research, understand and address an environmental problem with real-world potential.

“Our program provided us with a strong foundation in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and data analysis,” Nathan Cave added. “These skills were essential as we worked to identify current issues, assess possible solutions, and develop a practical and innovative concept tailored to the unique needs of Newfoundland and Labrador. We approached the ideathon with a mindset shaped by real-world marketing frameworks and applied classroom knowledge directly to our project.”

The econext Ideathon challenged CNA students to identify pressing environmental issues and propose forward-thinking, sustainable solutions. Teams were evaluated on the creativity, feasibility, and potential impact of their ideas.

The Hydro Heroes' concept was recognized for its innovation, environmental relevance, and strong alignment with clean growth principles.

Accounting and Financial Management student Dyana – who goes by one name - says the experience was an interesting challenge, and one she highly recommends to other students.

“Be confident in your ideas, conduct thorough research, and make the most of the mentoring sessions. These resources are there to support your growth and help you refine your proposal,” she said, noting she and her teammates are proud to have taken a small idea and transformed it into a well-developed proposal. “One key skill I gained was research. Participating in the ideathon helped me understand how to gather relevant information and formulate practical ideas. It also provided me with a basic framework for how to prepare for and launch a project, which I believe will be very valuable in future academic or professional settings.”

Second place went to Best Kind Solutions, a team comprised of Ashley Hoskins, Corwin Greenham, and Ethan Lane. Earth Advocates, featuring Victoria Osmond, Claire Bombis, Bethany Roberts, and Amber Chippett, claimed third place. Both teams impressed judges with their thoughtful and engaging approaches to sustainability challenges.

For more information about econext and ideathons, visit econext » accelerating Clean Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information about business and information technology programs at CNA, visit College of the North Atlantic - School of Business and Information Technology.

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Media Contact

Ryan Crocker
Manager of Communications
P: (709) 699-8981
E: ryan.crocker@cna.nl.ca