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Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Esch

From 2013 to 2025, The Norman Esch Awards has been promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS). Made possible with the generous support from the Norman Esch Foundation, these awards enabled FEAS students to continue exploring their potential - whether that be by pursuing their own startup idea, or making an impact in their communities. Since its launch, the Norman Esch Awards have deployed $4.1 million to 564 students, while the award alumni have created ventures that collectively raised over $122 million in capital and have created more than 250 jobs.

To further support the Norman Esch community, the Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CEIE) has developed an ecosystem that helps to nurture innovation and creativity in students by breaking down barriers to entrepreneurship and supporting every step of the student startup journey. Through this collaborative ecosystem between the Norman Esch Foundation and CEIE, students were able to explore their potential beyond academia and gain an entrepreneurial perspective during their academic endeavours.

The Norman Esch Awards were made possible by the generous donation made by the Norman Esch Foundation and the 37 members of our Esch committee who volunteered to review each and every application. 

For more information about the Norman Esch Awards, please see our .

 

The Norman Esch Awards were broken up into 3 financial awards to represent the 3 stages of an idea or startup. The award categories were:

Stage 1

Stage 1: Interaction Award ($5,000)

This award was granted to FEAS students who have a new idea that does not exist in the market and solves a problem.

Stage 2

Stage 2: Development Award ($8,000)

This award was granted to FEAS students who have completed formal market research and have proven a demand for their idea in the market.

Stage 3

Stage 3: Market Readiness Award ($25,000)

This award was granted to FEAS students who have completed formal business plans and/or alpha or beta prototype(s).

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ the Esch Foundation

The Esch Foundation was established in 2004 by Norman Esch to support students pursuing innovative, interdisciplinary applications of engineering sciences. A visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Norm’s legacy continues to empower the next generation of engineers and innovators.

After serving in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, Norm ventured into the printing industry, investing his entire savings of $5,000 in 1950 to start his own company. His entrepreneurial spirit and sales acumen helped him become a driving force in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s printing industry. As the founder of Graphic Litho-Plate and owner of Roto-tone Gravure, along with several other ventures, he earned a reputation as a highly respected business leader.

Beyond business, Norm had a deep love for music, playing the piano, and even conducting his church orchestra. His generosity extended to numerous charitable causes, including Trinity-St. Paul’s Church on Bloor Street. His commitment to supporting education led to the creation of the Esch Foundation, which continues to fuel innovation and student success at FEAS today.

Our Esch Committee

Each Norman Esch Award application is carefully considered and reviewed by three independent reviewers in our committee. We take pride in our diverse committee that is composed of professionals representing various specializations within the startup ecosystem. Our members range from serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, investors, all the way to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s professors that are experts in both the technical and entrepreneurial realm.

Committee Chair

John MacRitchie Assistant Vice-President Zone Learning and Strategic Initiatives

Esch Committee Members

Alex Angevaare Chief Financial Officer | Innomotics Inc.
Alex Kjorven Chief Product Officer | Ourboro
Balaji Gopalan Director | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Product Management Association
Brian MacDonald Senior Business Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure | Government of Ontario
Charles Boulakia Principal & Patent Lawyer | Smart & Biggar
Chris Webb Assistant Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Initiatives | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Constance O'Brien Nicholson Industrial Research Assistance Program | National Research Council Canada
Dominic Talalla CEO | Symbient Environmental Technologies
Ebrahim Bagheri Professor | University of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and Co-Founder | Reviewer.ly
Hadeer Hassaan Executive Vice President, Chief Information & Customer Experience Officer | Bell
Holly Gardner Founder & Researcher
Joel Liederman President | ELARAD Venture Management and Director, Corporate Development | IRegained Inc.
John Enright Professor, Aerospace Engineering | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
JP Silva Associate Director, Zone Learning | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Karen Killeen Business Advisor | Springboard Management Advisors Inc. and Consultant | Alderpoint Holdings Inc.
Leona Banfield Founder & Principal | Ginomai Consulting & Training
Mahir Dheendsa Program Specialist | Data Integration and Transformation
Manfred Koo Health Care & Hospital Consultant
Mark A. Farrow Principal | Farrow Consulting
Martin Croteau Lecturer | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Mo Shahin Co-Founder & Managing Partner | Softmills
Moatassem Moatez Founder & CEO | MyCourier Inc.
Nicholas Burgwin Sales Director, North America | Isoplus
Paul Hacking Senior Project Manager, Office of Zone Learning & Strategic Initiatives | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Pushkar Kumer General Manager | Carrier Abound
Stan Ossias Strategic Partner, Expense Management Practice | Schooley Mitchell and Principal | Wetherfield Greenview Advisory Services
Stephen Pumple Project Manager | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Suresh Madan Board of Directors | Trillium Health Partners Foundation & The Conference Board of Canada
Tony Redpath PhD (Physical Chemistry), Scientist, Entrepreneur, & Farmer
Usha Srinivasan Founder & CEO | BReady Talent Platform
Valerie Fox Chief Executive Officer | Pivotal Innovation
Victoria Ikede National AIX Design Lead | Architecture49
Vincent Hui Associate Chair, Architectural Science | Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Zohair Khan Chief Operating Officer | Airfairness