A University of Windsor student venture turning fish-processing waste into marketable products has earned a People's Choice Award at a binational innovation competition.
Odette School of Business students Andrew Booth, Matthew Tracey and Jack Marcotte received the award and a $2,500 prize at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Binational AquaHacking Challenge finale in Detroit on Nov. 5. Booth is president of Enactus Windsor.
From left: Jim Millar of Atterx Biotherapeutics; People's Choice Award winners Matthew Tracey, Jack Marcotte and Andrew Booth of Enactus Windsor's 100% Fish project; and Kenza Vandenbroeck of AquaAction, organizer of the AquaHacking Challenge. (SUBMITTED BY KENT WALKER/University of Windsor)
The students competed as 100% Fish, an Enactus Windsor initiative that transforms fish-processing waste from partner John O's Foods into products such as Erie Eco-Bites and a collagen cream, creating value from material that might otherwise end up in landfills.
The award was determined by an audience vote, recognizing the team's ability to combine business innovation with environmental impact.
"Winning the People's Choice Award at the Binational AquaHacking Challenge Finale is an incredible validation of the work our team has poured into 100% Fish," says Booth.
"Competing against top university innovators from across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence basin pushed us to sharpen every facet of our upcycling model. For our team, this recognition proves there is a massive community appetite for sustainable, circular solutions that tackle freshwater protection head-on."
Booth says the recognition comes at an important time for the venture as the team looks to grow its operations.
"Looking ahead, this momentum gives us the exact platform and confidence we need as we scale Erie Eco Bites into retail distribution and expand our manufacturing footprint across the region," he says.
Read more about Enactus Windsor's 100% Fish initiative in previous University News coverage.
