Matthew Tracey, an undergraduate student at the Odette School of Business and vice-president of Enactus Windsor, helps lead programs that mentor youth in entrepreneurship and sustainability. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
What if the next big business idea came from a Grade 10 classroom?
At the University of Windsor, a group of students is betting on it.
Enactus Windsor, a student-run organization at UWindsor, is transforming how young people in Windsor-Essex learn about business and sustainability.
Through its flagship program, Ascent, university mentors guide students in Grades 7 to 12 through hands-on entrepreneurship projects that teach financial literacy and eco-friendly practices.
Since its launch in 2006, the initiative has reached more than 10,000 people, bridging gaps in business education and empowering underrepresented communities.
Ascent is an eight-week program that sends trained UWindsor mentors into classrooms across the region.
Students work in teams to create their own businesses, aligning with Ontario’s Grade 10 business curriculum.
The goal is experiential learning—giving youth a chance to apply concepts like budgeting, marketing and sustainability in real-world scenarios.
“We identified a gap in business education between grade schools,” said Ryan Gadoury, co-project manager for Ascent and a human kinetics student minoring in business.
“Our program simulates building a business from the ground up.”
The curriculum emphasizes sustainability, encouraging students to incorporate the principles of reduce, reuse, repair and recycle into their products.
Past projects have included upcycled crafts, eco-friendly accessories and repurposed household items.
Inspiring the next generation of innovators — Enactus Windsor leaders Ryan Gadoury, Matthew Tracey, Massimo Gualtieri and Andrew Booth. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
Massimo Gualtieri, Ascent’s co-project manager, said the program’s impact goes beyond the classroom. “We’ve seen students carry their businesses into high school and even beyond,” said Gualtieri.
“It’s about giving them confidence and practical skills.”
The program culminates in showcase events at the University of Windsor, where top student businesses pitch their ideas to panels of local professionals.
These events provide real-world exposure and networking opportunities, something organizers say is invaluable for youth in the region.
Matthew Tracey, vice-president of Enactus Windsor and a Bachelor of Commerce student specializing in accounting and computer science, said the organization thrives on collaboration.
“We’re supported by the Odette School of Business and the university,” said Tracey.
“It’s a team effort to create opportunities for students who might not otherwise have access to this kind of education.”
Andrew Booth, President of Enactus Windsor since May 2025, agrees.
“In a nutshell, Enactus is focused on creating sustainable solutions to problems that we see in our community and that we identify in the community, mostly focused on social, environmental, and economic challenges,” Booth explained.
Currently in his third year of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting, Booth says the biggest benefit for students involved is the experience.
“The biggest benefit that we have as students participating is the experiences that we have and the great knowledge that we get from the program and everything that we do on a daily basis.”
Since its inception, Enactus Windsor has grown into a hub for social innovation, blending entrepreneurship with community impact.
For the leaders of Enactus, the reward is seeing students discover their potential.
“The benefits are massive,” said Gadoury.
“The impact goes well beyond the classroom.”