Business students create green solutions

Be innovative and be green—that’s the 10-day challenge UVic Business students faced in the faculty’s inaugural INFUSE Innovation Challenge held in November.

The winning results include credible business ideas like reducing the number of cars on campus by registering online to share a ride, an electronic alternative to traditional textbooks and web-based tips and video clips on how to save energy and money.

Dr. Monika Winn, associate professor of business strategy and sustainability, introduced the contest to help students exercise their creative capacity and generate positive change through a sustainable business idea. The challenge was undertaken by 123 third-year students studying business and sustainability.

“The students’ creativity and enthusiasm were tremendous, even though they faced severe time constraints and competing pressures,” says Winn. “In fact, judges and students were unanimous in calling for another round next year. The opportunity to tap into their creative side added a new and powerful dimension to the students’ academic experience and contributed greatly to team building.”

Two classes of students worked in groups of four to develop a new product, a change to an existing product, a new process, business model or marketing approach. Several projects focused on UVic, and the students’ experience may inspire follow-on projects that aim to implement the ideas.

The creators of “Gym Power” believe that UVic gyms could become self-sustaining and off the grid. “We could harness the energy produced when we’re using the bikes and other equipment and re-use it to power lights and electricity,” says team member Drew Nanos. “The equipment would be retrofitted with high-efficiency generators and the energy stored and re-used for other purposes.”

The RideShare initiative builds on traditional carpooling programs by using the power of social networking. Anyone commuting to UVic on a regular basis could pay a small fee to join the network, complete an online profile and indicate the times they would like to arrive and leave school each day. The RideShare team would match members up to create carpooling groups. “Everyone wins,” says student Derek Juno. “Students save their hard-earned cash by cutting gas and parking costs and, with fewer cars on the road, members decrease carbon emissions. It’s a first step or gateway to living more sustainably.”

The idea of capturing the energy produced from everyday living inspired a number of ideas including using the energy required to open and close doors. Several of the groups created three-minute YouTube videos to present their projects, which can be accessed from the UVic Business website at: http://www.business.uvic.ca/green/student/.

“We didn’t do this alone,” says Winn. “UVic’s Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability and Office of Student Affairs served as sponsors; faculty, staff and alumni helped judge the projects; and Pacific Carbon Trust and Change! contributed to the launch.”