Following a regional contest in Halifax, 12 post-secondary student teams are going forward to the Enactus Canada National Exposition. 

Enactus Canada is a charity that focuses on inspiring post-secondary students to initiate and operate socially and environmentally positive enterprises. Currently, more than 2,000 students at over 76 campuses across Canada are engaged in Enactus projects, the group has said.

Competitors from Atlantic Canadian universities include the following teams developing innovation-driven ideas:

Alaagi has created an environmentally friendly, renewable alternative to traditional plastic film packaging using seaweed. Alaagi has received letters of intent from large retailers and generated $15,000 in startup funding to develop a patentable product. (Saint Mary's University).

Square Roots and EmerAlt: Square Roots rescues cosmetically imperfect but edible produce from farmers, selling it at a 56 percent discount at 11 community locations. They recently hit a major milestone, diverting one million pounds of produce from waste. EmerAlt uses surplus potatoes to create a food-safe bioplastic alternative for single-use plastic cutlery. (Saint Mary's University).

Project Red Reach transforms ocean waste into life-saving technology. By repurposing ghost gear to develop 3D-printed wristbands that provide real-time health tracking for seniors.(Memorial University of Newfoundland).

Spuds to Suds transforms unsellable potatoes into eco-friendly soap. For every bar sold, one is donated to a local food bank. (University of Prince Edward Island).

The Enactus Canada National Exposition will be held in Calgary in May.  Winners will represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok in September.