The college is showcasing how we support businesses and organizations in moving innovative ideas forward in our areas of expertise, which include the following:
- Product Development: Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt), Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping (AMP), and Fashion Innovation and Textile Technology (FITT)
- Future Living: Interactive and Experiential Design, Digital Transformation (blockchain, artificial intelligence, extended reality, computer technology), and Built Environments (building science, construction)
- Social Innovation: Community Development and the Black Futures Research Institute
“We are proud to be a partner of Collision, a massive event for people dedicated to developing innovative solutions using cutting-edge tools and processes,” said Dr. Krista Holmes, GBC’s Associate Vice-President of Research and Innovation.
“Collision provides an incredible opportunity for leading innovators to learn about the work happening at George Brown College to tackle challenges in a range of industries and communities. It’s also an opportunity for Toronto-based startups and organizations to learn how the college can support a full cycle of research development, including product design and development to manufacturing and scaling for market launch.”
Learn more about Research & Innovation at GBC.
GBC’s bright and bold presence on the Collision exhibition floor provides visitors with an engaging overview of our research and startup support activities, including at the college’s entrepreneurship hub, startGBC.
“We are very excited to showcase how we are supporting incredible student and alumni-led startups at startGBC, including a new social financing platform,” said Neal Lilliott, Manager of startGBC. “Visitors will learn how we foster a culture of entrepreneurship at the college.”
Showcasing student entrepreneurship
Blockchain Development student Godfrey Jonas, the startup founder of the Owujupe social financing platform, is among the students showcasing work at Collision as part of the GBC presence.
Launched in February 2024, Owujupe connects individuals and communities, allowing them to pool resources, share knowledge, and support each other financially. “Owujupe is more than a platform; it’s a movement towards a future where financial security and community support go hand in hand, ensuring that no one has to walk their financial path alone,” Jonas said.
StartGBC and Research and Innovation have been “instrumental in providing mentorship opportunities and resources that helped shape Owujupe into what it is today,” Jonas said. “Their belief in our mission has been a driving force behind our progress.”
Jonas will present Owujupe’s core features, including the community pooling system, subscription-based revenue model, and user success stories.
“The opportunity to present at Collision, one of the most prestigious tech conferences, is exhilarating,” he said. “It’s a chance to put Owujupe on the global stage and share our vision with like-minded innovators, investors, and potential partners.”
Godfrey Jonas and Neal Lillott
GBC student presenters at Collision.
