Some students in Nova Scotia have been recognized for their entrepreneurial talents.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has given out the 2025 Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence.

Each year, students in grades 6 through 12 compete to receive $1,000 to help start or grow their businesses.

Seven finalists pitched their business plans and how they’d use the grant to a panel of local entrepreneurial leaders at Saint Mary’s University.

Winning business ideas were a pill dispenser and app; protein-rich candy, and healthy dog treats.

The 2025 winners are:

• Joy Akinkunmi, Pill Smart, Charles P. Allen High School
• Rory Fox, Swole Bears, Lockview High School
• Ivy Rickard, Critter’s Care Cookies, Pentz Elementary School

On behalf of Minister Brendan Maguire, MLA for Cole Harbour-Dartmouth Brad McGowan stated, “Supporting the skills and interests of our students, such as the ones who stepped up this year to pitch their ideas for the Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence, is key to the growth and development of our province.”

The award recipients expressed gratitude for the experience.

Joy Akinkunmi called it transformative. She said, “I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be an entrepreneur, what it means to start a business, and how to be passionate about your product.”

Rory Fox talked about how cool it was to meet other entrepreneurs. “One of the best things is to be able to talk to other business owners here and see what their experiences were. A great tool for me is being able to learn from other people so it’s great to network and learn from them.”

Ivy Rickard said, “I think that everyone did an amazing job. I’m thankful that I had this opportunity and thankful I was chosen as a finalist.”

According to the province, since the award was launched in 2017, more than 100 students have participated, pitching over 70 ideas.