July 15, 2024 – Ink Again, a student company emerging from the JA Company Program this past school year, introduced an innovative concept for handling stationery waste in schools. Their approach earned them the 2024 CIBC Student Company of the Year Award. This award was adjudicated by a panel of esteemed community business leaders and included a $3,000 prize, highlighting excellence in teamwork, creativity, innovation, and planning.
Ink Again’s mission focused on sustainability and innovation by recycling and reusing dead Expo markers to create refillable products with custom 3D printed back-caps. Inspired by the 1950s milk delivery system, akin to the cycle of refillable glass milk bottles, they transformed used Expo markers from schools across Metro Vancouver into upcycled whiteboard markers. Their custom back-caps ensured the markers were refillable, reducing waste and costs for schools.
The initiative received an overwhelmingly positive response. Richard Xie, a key team member, remarked, “This initiative not only provided a sustainable solution to marker waste but also resonated deeply with our customers. Our team’s resilience and creativity were crucial in navigating hurdles and turning them into learning opportunities.”
Ink Again’s journey through the JA Company Program has been marked by resilience. Despite challenges like a local supplier ghosting them and long ink shipment times from overseas, they overcame these obstacles through careful planning and offsetting carbon emissions with tree planting. Richard Xie expressed gratitude, stating, “To our mentors, customers, and each team member – thank you for believing in our vision and helping us make it a reality.”
Their success showcases effective teamwork, creativity, and innovation. They developed a successful business idea through their experiences in the JA Company Program, addressing a common issue in schools with a sustainable solution. Congratulations! View Ink Again’s video here.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to CIBC for supporting this award and for their continued support of the JA Company Program and JA Economics for Success. Their contributions empower students with valuable skills, igniting an entrepreneurial mindset in today’s youth and inspiring future innovators.