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Discovering new ideas is key to business success, which has become pivotal in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace as innovation and creativity empower organizations to adapt, grow and stay competitive.

The Youth Creativity Fund (YCF), launched in 2022 to cultivate the next generation of innovators by providing young people the opportunity to turn their creative learning ideas into reality through seed funding and mentorship, has been at the forefront in supporting local grassroots innovation.

Since its inception, the YCF has now distributed approximately $148,000 to support 175 youth-created projects, with even more on the way.

“In the beginning, the program was more entrepreneurial based,” explains April Albano, Executive Director of the Business & Education Partnership (BEP) of Waterloo Region, which operates the program in collaboration with local businesses and organizations, including the Cambridge and Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chambers of Commerce. “Now it has kind of evolved so that we can fund entrepreneurial projects if they involve the community in some way.”

Potential participants, who must be between the ages of 15-18, are required to outline their project ideas to the BEP in an application. These ideas – which can involve a group of youths or individuals - are generally centred around solving a ‘problem’ and must be socially and environmentally responsible and often encompass everything from tech-based solutions to providing a service or planning and hosting a unique event.

Mentorship a key component

If an application meets the program requirements and receives approval, it is then forwarded to the YCF Program Committee for final review and the successful project may receive funding of up to $1,000. The committee is comprised of business and education experts including HIP Developments CEO Scott Higgins, and Nicole Fernandes, Operations Manager at Enbridge Gas.

“We always ask our youths if they have specific mentorship needs,” says April, referring to their ideas, noting the BEP team provides ongoing coaching and turns to community volunteers and partners to provide additional mentorship. “We aren’t the experts in what they’re (students) doing so we will try and connect them to somebody who can actually give them content.”

She says the BEP’s Speakers Bureau community program is an ideal source to cultivate potential mentors. The community initiative introduces students to a wide range of careers by having professionals visit schools and host virtual sessions to share their career journeys and experiences, with the goal of providing insights into different industries. 

“The great thing about our Speakers Bureau is we have more than 300 volunteer professionals that represent almost every industry,” says April, adding the need for additional YCF mentors has grown exponentially. “In May, we had 23 groups apply and 21 receive funding. It’s great to see such interest from the students but it can be challenging to keep up.”

While taking part in the YCF program requires participants to report back what they learned within three months of funding approval, she says project deadlines can often be extended and applicants can apply for additional funding.

Program builds confidence

“There are some projects where participants have been very keen,” says April, using the successful creation of an AI-powered tool last year called ‘Clockwise’ as an example. 

Three high school students – Iman Alyousif, Nadia Radwan, Afshal Fatima – created the tool and have now applied for additional funding.

Their tool, which has been designed to help students overcome procrastination through time limits, social accountability, and gamified learning, continues to gain traction. The trio has also received mentorship through the University of Waterloo’s ‘Technovation Girls Waterloo’ initiative and Waterloo Region Small Business Centre.

“We try to be collaborative with other organizations because we know any mentorship the students can receive will also help them,” says April, noting the outcome of the projects are not centred on creating a ‘successful’ business or initiative. “The YCF is not about measuring whether they’re successful at the end, it’s about them taking action. It doesn’t matter if they make any sales; it’s about them taking the opportunity and to build their confidence.”

She says the YCF continues to show that today’s youth have amazing potential.

“Some people in the general public may see youth in a certain way but we’re getting a glimpse into youth who want to make a positive difference and who are working hard and showing up and being accountable,” says April. “I’m really hopeful for the future.”

A sample of Youth Creativity Fund projects that recently received approval:

Student: Tanish

His creative idea is to build a simple mental-health support app named ‘Mindful Mirror’ aimed at helping students deal with everyday stress by offering tools like mood tracking, journaling, positive habits, and motivational reminders. He notes that many teens his age feel overwhelmed with school, routines, responsibilities, and family pressures and hopes to create a safe, digital space that helps their lives stay organized, calm, confident, and efficient. His mentor is Dhairya Shah, a previous YCF recipient who created: TidalTasksAI - an AI-powered productivity coach built for secondary school students which is already live at www.tidaltasks.app.

Student: Paulina

This teen has created a student-led non-profit called GUIDER to help high school students in Waterloo Region access the guidance and information they need when making important decisions about school, careers, and life after graduation. Drawing from her own experiences as a student, Paulina is working to make support more accessible by providing a single place where students can find local resources, explore opportunities, and get answers to their questions. Her goal is simple: to help students feel more informed, supported, and less alone as they plan their future.

Student: Tyrell

This Cambridge youth is starting a lawncare business, which capitalizes on his interest surrounding gardening and working with his grandma in the yard. He already has experience making door-to-door pitches and using Facebook ads but is utilizing his YCF funding towards the purchase of additional lawncare tools and uniforms featuring his own self-designed logo.  

Student: Azziah

He is working on launching a small commission-based 3D printing service to make affordable 3D printing more accessible in the community and was inspired by the loss of the free 3D printing program that had been offered at his local public library. His goal is to create an opportunity for others to explore creativity, innovation, and new technology in a low-barrier way and plans to use his funding to support the purchase of a 3D printer and website hosting. Eventually, Azziah hopes to offer programming to teach other youths how to use 3D printers which he had exposure to as a child at the library.

Click here to learn more about the Youth Creativity Fund.