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With support from the Innovation Hub, �Ӱ�ԭ�� successfully hosted this year’s Crunch hackathon in the Nicol Building. The Crunch is a three-day event where students from Algonquin College, University of Ottawa, and �Ӱ�ԭ�� compete and collaborate to pitch a business idea for a chance to win a cash prize. Individuals can join on their own or in a group to address challenges within any industry, including categories such as health innovation, social impact, and emerging technologies.

Groups spent the weekend working on their pitches and prototypes, getting valuable advice from mentors and workshops. At the end of the weekend, the participants presented their ideas and business plans to a panel of judges. Pitches covered ideas in a wide range of industries, addressing gaps in various markets. The winning group pitched a smart garbage sorting system that uses artificial intelligence to separate waste for recycling.

The Crunch this year drew in students with diverse interests from business to engineering and the arts. Participants gained new skills from the weekend and had the chance for some valuable networking. Ansh, a �Ӱ�ԭ�� student, said he was glad to participate in the Crunch because, “it’s a great experience to work as a team and gain new ideas to innovate.”