St, John’s,  NL
October 21, 2026

How can Newfoundland and Labrador make its homes more affordable, sustainable, energy-efficient, resilient, and accessible by 2036? That was the challenge presented to student teams at econext’s latest Ideathon, held in late September, where participants developed ideas to help shape a more sustainable future for the province’s residential housing sector.

The Ideathon brought students together to explore practical, forward-thinking approaches to a challenge that affects communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Working in teams, participants developed concepts focused on improving how homes are built, insulated, powered, and made accessible, with solutions designed around the province’s needs.

Over the course of the event, teams worked to turn their ideas into pitches for consideration by a panel of judges. The winning concepts showcased a range of approaches, from helping homeowners navigate existing energy programs to exploring locally sourced insulation materials and alternative construction products.

First Place—$3,000 | Green Print

Sponsored by Newfoundland & Labrador Hydro, Green Print took first place. Team members Imran Moin, Emmanuel Okoro-Igwe, and Sheham Mohammad developed a web-based app that brings existing home retrofit and energy programs together in one place, making it easier for homeowners to find and navigate available resources.

Second Place – $2,000 | JEST

JEST placed second with an insulation concept that combines locally sourced eelgrass with wood fibre. The team includes Jasmine Chukwu, Esomudo Osuji-Bells, Siabonga Ndhlovu, and Tobi Emioladipupo.

Third Place –  $1,000 | NL Baytuna

Sponsored by TakeChargeNL, NL Baytuna earned third place. Noura Ahmed, Alejandro Vasquez Hernandez, Abdullah Khan, and Zainab Parween proposed using integrated mycelium panels and bricks as a more sustainable approach to construction.

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econext thanks Newfoundland & Labrador Hydro for sponsoring first place, TakeChargeNL for sponsoring third place, and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Newfoundland and Labrador for sponsoring lunch. Their support helped make the event possible and gave students an opportunity to engage with real challenges and explore ideas for the province’s green economy.

Through its Ideathons, econext connects students with sustainability challenges facing Newfoundland and Labrador and encourages them to develop innovative ideas that can contribute to a greener, more resilient economy.

For more information about future Ideathons or partnership opportunities, contact Zakiya Young at zakiya@econext.ca.

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