Challenge Stages
The 2025 Systems Innovation Challenge began with the Nurture stage, during which students participated in five virtual workshops and learned how to approach complex, systems-level problems.
In the next stage, Navigate, twelve selected teams explored the growing loneliness epidemic. They presented their ideas in a gallery-style format at a Showcase event in Toronto on January 18.
In the final stage, students focused on the challenge of enhancing mental health and wellness in the workplace. The challenge culminated in final presentations at BMO Academy’s headquarters on February 14, where teams competed across four distinct award categories:
• Most Feasible Solution ($4,000) – Won by an Ivey HBA team for developing a pragmatic, actionable roadmap that builds on BMO’s existing strengths (Mason Lyn, Michael Chen, Christian Tivig, Helen Liu, and Ryanna Luo);
• Most Creative Solution ($4,000) – Won by a University of Toronto team for an innovative approach to mental wellness (Mallory Furlong, Anne-Laurie Mayengo, Kaitlin MacDonald, Shuchita Das, and Siobhan Mehrotra);
• Most Scalable Solution ($4,000) – Also won by the University of Toronto team, whose solution was designed to be adapted across industries; and,
• Systems Ecosystem Catalyst Award ($8,000) – Won by a McMaster University team for forging connections and creating an ecology of solutions that amplify collective impact (Htet Yee Mon Win (Olive), Aarthi Thommandram, and Sierra Jean Haziza).
Information Session
Watch the recording of the information session that took place on October 1, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior knowledge about systems thinking or expertise in mental health or wellbeing is not necessary. We welcome diverse perspectives and fresh ideas from students across all disciplines.
We only accept applications from teams. If you haven’t built a team yet, visit this Miro board to connect with other individuals looking to form a team.
Yes, diversity among your team is encouraged – this can include members from different programs, degree levels, and/or schools across Canada.
After applications close on Sunday, October 20 at 11:59PM, our team will review each one and assess your team’s readiness to develop solutions to complex issues. We anticipate providing an update on the status of your application no later than Friday, October 25.
You should plan to commit up to 5 hours per week to participate in the Challenge. We ask that you attend all sessions listed under Program Dates, and if selected, be willing to travel to Toronto, ON for the in-person studio session.
Yes! Re-applications from past applicants and participants who didn’t move past the Nurture Stage are welcome. Please mention this in your application.
No, this isn’t another case competition. Innovation North’s Studio endeavours to be a highly collaborative, creative, and playful space that will develop novel, actionable ideas to tackle real-world complex challenges.
Visit this page to learn more about the 2024 Systems Innovation Challenge, which was powered by Walmart Canada.
At the end of the Nurture Stage your team will submit a final deliverable that will be evaluated against a set of criteria provided during the workshops. Approximately 10 to 15 teams will advance to the Navigate stage, depending on the quality of the submissions.
Contact the program team at: innovationnorthstudio@ivey.ca.