Nova Scotia students awarded entrepreneurial grant

Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Brad McGowan with the finalists for the Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

Three Nova Scotia students received the Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence for their outstanding entrepreneurial talents.

Each year, students in Grade six to 12 are invited to compete for $1,000 to help start or grow their business, according to a news release from the province.

“Supporting the skills and interests of our students, such as the ones who stepped up this year to pitch their ideas for the Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence, is key to the growth and development of our province,” said Brad McGowan, MLA for Cole Harbour-Dartmouth, on behalf of Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brendan Maguire. “I look forward to seeing what these talented students accomplish in their future ventures.”

This year, seven finalists were selected to pitch their business ideas at Saint Mary’s University to a panel of local entrepreneurial leaders.

“I think that everyone did an amazing job. I’m thankful that I had this opportunity and thankful I was chosen as a finalist,” said Ivy Rickard from Pentz Elementary School.

The finalists prepared an application that included a description of the product, service or idea along with a marketing plan, budget and information on how the $1,000 grant would be used.

The 2025 winners are:

• Joy Akinkunmi, Pill Smart, Charles P. Allen High School
• Rory Fox, Swole Bears, Lockview High School
• Ivy Rickard, Critter’s Care Cookies, Pentz Elementary School

“My experience was transformative. I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be an entrepreneur, what it means to start a business, and how to be passionate about your product,” said Akinkunmi.

Since the award was launched in 2017, the province says more than 100 students have participated.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page