Innovation Challenge participants present solutions to boost wellness
Physical inactivity is a problem across Canada. A recent ParticipACTION report card says less than half of Canadian adults get the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise required each week.
That lack of movement negatively affects a person’s health. It also costs the health-care system billions of dollars each year in treating depression and diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Helping Canadians be more active was the focus of the recent Innovation Challenge, a problem-solving competition hosted annually by NAIT's Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship. After more than 20 student teams from across the polytechnic submitted ideas via video, five were picked to pitch at the Feb. 24 event on Main Campus.
Students were scored on the feasibility, novelty and impact of their ideas, as well as their presentation skills. On the line were $3,000 in prizes (sponsored by Raptor Mining).
Financial gain isn't the only benefit of the event.
“Students get an opportunity to think of a relevant solution to challenges happening in society and industry,” says Dr. Riya Ganguly, JR Shaw School of Business associate dean. What’s more, “they are gaining skills they’ll use to create their own businesses or be entrepreneurial.
“And it's going to be beneficial for our economy in the long run.”
In the meantime, here are the 2026 winners of the Innovation Challenge.
Got an innovative idea? See how the Mawji Centre can help
1st place: Climate-controlled geodomes
Mary Pal, Open Studies
“Imagine it’s February in Canada, it’s dark and freezing – and instead of going outside, most of us stay inside, scrolling, sitting and moving less,” says Mary Pal.
But what if you could step into a warm, dome filled with music and people having fun?
That’s the premise of Freeflow. Pal’s idea aims to get people moving through low-impact activities in climate-controlled geodomes. These temporary or permanent spaces help people connect through events, food, music and movement – with the added benefit of improving mental and physical health.
2nd place: A more welcoming gym experience
Ben St Jean, Business Administration – Entrepreneurship
“Most people don’t quit the gym because they are lazy,” says St Jean. They are intimidated by the equipment, don’t know where to begin, or struggle with getting motivated.
“It’s an onboarding problem.”
St Jean’s Guided Start program gives gyms a simple onboarding program designed for young people. Gym-goers scan a QR code that gives them a clear, one-page workout that takes less than 30 minutes.
It also boosts motivation. Every time the person scans the code, they earn the chance to win healthy prizes such as protein powder.
3rd place: Tax incentives for exercise
Gunjan Panchal, Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting and Analytics
Millions of Canadians working from home spend much of their day sitting. To get them on their feet, self-proclaimed “tax guy” Gunjan Panchal had an idea.
“We allow for deductions for home office utilities, internet and even paper clips,” says Panchal. “But there is absolutely nothing for the health of the human being doing the work.”
With GymCred, Panchal proposes an amendment to the Income Tax Act to allow remote workers to deduct for every day they attend the gym. His platform would help gyms track attendance and issue tax slips to gym-goers. Panchal notes research showing that even a modest 10% reduction in sedentary lifestyles could save the government up to $219 million a year.