Impact Challenge

Applications for the 2026 Impact Challenge will open soon. Stay tuned!

Applications for the 2026 Impact Challenge will open soon. Stay tuned!

Are you a post-secondary student interested in learning more about business as a force for change? Are you looking for an opportunity to explore how your ideas can create meaningful change, and to learn from experienced professionals in the impact sector?

Our annual Impact Challenge invites students to tackle real-world business problems through an engaging case competition. Participants gain insights into dynamic businesses in the impact sector while having the opportunity to build problem-solving skills and their professional networks.

Applications for the 2026 Impact Challenge will open shortly.

Good & Well is privileged to welcome a growing number of applicants to the Impact Challenge. As our community of change-makers continues to grow, we remain committed to creating an accessible and meaningful experience for every participant. This is why this year, the Impact Challenge is taking on a new look!

To allow for increased and more sustained participation, the competition is adopting a multi-phase format, including an application phase and two competition rounds with distinct case challenges:

  1. Application Phase: Do Good

    Individuals and pairs that wish to apply to the Impact Challenge submit a short video response to an impact-focused question, highlighting their personal interest for social impact. Successful applicants will be grouped in teams of 4 or 5 and move on to the first competition round.

  2. First Competition Round: Do Well

    The newly-built teams will be presented with a first real-world impact-focused business case challenge, provided by a partner company that is a part of the Good & Well portfolio. During the virtual kick-off, company leaders will share their business context, and additional details about the specific challenge. Teams will have the opportunity to ask questions to the partner company. They will then have ~2 weeks to develop a pitch that presents thoughtful and innovative solutions, with the support of a mentor. Teams will present their pitches to a panel of judges. Top scoring teams will move on to the final round of the competition. All components of this phase will take place virtually to accommodate a larger volume of participants.

  3. Final Competition Round: Make Change

    Finalist teams will be presented with a second real-world business case challenge, provided by another partner company that is a part of the Good & Well portfolio. Teams will get to hear from the leaders of this second company, and will have the opportunity to ask them questions. They will then have another ~2 weeks to develop their final pitch, again with the support of a mentor. Finally, they will pitch their proposal in-person to a new panel of judges, and a winning team will be announced. The final competition day will take place in-person in Downtown Toronto.

WHO CAN APPLY?

We are seeking post-secondary students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches who can benefit from this challenge and contribute innovative and thoughtful ideas to our partner companies. We strongly value interdisciplinarity and believe that addressing the world’s most pressing problems requires collaboration across all sectors. For this reason, we especially encourage applications from students outside of business disciplines or with limited prior experience in business case competitions.

To be eligible, each applicant must meet the criteria listed later on this page.

We now welcome applications from individuals that have already participated in a previous edition of the Good & Well Impact Challenge or in the Good & Well Internship Program.

  • "This experience allowed our team to dive deeper into Kotn's mission, understanding how the business balances its success, values, and community-building. It was such a meaningful opportunity to share our ideas with the Kotn team, who held a truly inspiring passion for their work and the impact it created."

    2025 Winning Team

  • "It pushed me to think critically about the impact of our actions and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect."

    2025 Participant

  • “It’s not just about solving a case—it’s about understanding the values and mission of purpose-driven businesses and coming up with ideas that align with their goals. What stood out to me the most was the direct involvement of KOTN’s leaders, who shared their insights and gave us a deeper understanding of the challenges they face. It made the experience feel incredibly authentic and relevant. ”

    Sia Aggarwal
    2024 Winning Team Member

Applications for the
2026 Impact Challenge
will open shortly.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Details

To be eligible, each applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Be currently enrolled at a Canadian post-secondary institution (whether College, Polytechnic or University);

  • Be currently enrolled in either an undergraduate program or a a master’s program, in any academic discipline. MBA and MMA students are not eligible unless they started their program in the Fall of 2026.

  • Commit to attending all components of the competition, should they be selected to move forward (see dates below).

  • In the event of being selected as a finalist team, commit to attend the Final In-Person Pitches in Downtown Toronto. Participants need to plan for and cover their own travel and accommodation.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Virtual First Round Kick-Off: Friday, October 30th, 2026, in the afternoon

  • Virtual First Round Pitches & Second Round Kick-Off: Saturday, November 14th

  • Final In-Person Pitches in Downtown Toronto: Saturday, November 28th

  • Active participation in team meetings and mentor meetings between October 30th and November 28th (scheduled at the team’s convenience)

DATES

  • First round: Virtual

  • Final round: Downtown Toronto

LOCATION

Frequently asked questions

  • This year, we only welcome applications from individuals or pairs (2). Successful applicants will be assigned to a team of 4 or 5.

  • Not at all!

    We value an interdisciplinary approach when solving the case. For this reason, we encourage applications from students coming from all academic disciplines.

  • Not at all!

    We encourage students who are new to case competitions to apply. We will provide resources to support students who have never solved a business problem before.

  • No, we welcome students from any post-secondary institution across Canada!

    However, in the event of your team being selected as finalist, you will need to be in Toronto on the final day of the competition, which is in-person only. Participants are responsible for planning for, and covering travel and accommodation. If travel or accommodation expenses are a barrier to participation, please note this in the application form under "Accessibility needs”.

  • The first round in its entirety as well as the kick-off of the final round of the competition are taking place virtually.

    However, In the event of your team being selected as a finalist, you will need to be in Toronto on the final day of the competition, which is in-person only. Participants are responsible for planning for, and covering travel and accommodation. If travel or accommodation expenses are a barrier to participation, please note this in the application form under "Accessibility needs”.

  • Unfortunately, the Impact Challenge is only open to students currently enrolled at a Canadian post-secondary institution.

  • 2025 Challenge

    As Kotn keeps on growing, its community of consumers is also growing, creating an opportunity for the company to expand its impact by engaging its consumers and encouraging them to more fully integrate impact and sustainability into their everyday choices. The challenge is: How can Kotn encourage consumers to more fully integrate impact and sustainability into their everyday choices, helping to close the gap between stated values and actual behavior?

    Winning idea: In-store Impact Corners making Kotn’s impact more visible to consumers, revamped Postcard Inserts explaining how each purchase’s contribution to Kotn’s impact work, in-store Impact Walls where consumers can jot down their personal commitments, and Interactive Repair Workshops

    Prizes: $1500 in cash prize and $500 in Kotn gift cards for the winning team

    *Each finalist team also received $500 in Kotn gift cards

  • 2024 Challenge

    As Kotn grows and seeks to optimize its profit margins, the following questions arise: should the company consider moving some styles from Portugal to East Asia to benefit from lower costs and larger production capacities? If yes, how can Kotn ensure it maintains the same levels of sustainability and ethical labor practices? How can Kotn expand on its impact work in these regions?

    Winning idea: Move production from Portugal to Indonesia, empowering women through on-site daycare facilities (Rotman Commerce Competition Team)

    Prizes: $2,000 cash prize & $500 in Kotn apparel

  • 2023 Challenge

    Should Kotn consider a community ownership model as it scales? If yes, define a strategy and plan for Kotn’s community ownership model over the next 5 years. If not, define a strategy and plan for Kotn’s impact work over the next 5 years and explain why it will be more impactful than a community ownership model.

    Winning idea: Implementation of a community ownership model (mixed team from multiple disciplines across UofT, York, and Ivey)

    Prizes: $2,000 cash prize & $500 in Kotn apparel

  • 2022 Challenge

    How should Kotn think about its impact work as production expands to new regions?

     Winning idea: Open women-run production facilities in Tunisia and expand Kotn’s elementary schools project to Tunisia (Rotman Commerce Competition Team)

     Prizes: $2,000 cash prize & $500 in Kotn apparel

  • 2020 Challenge

    How can Patagonia help make participating in the outdoor community and environmental movement accessible to a more diverse community? 

    Winning idea: Launch a campaign that is inclusive of people with disabilities (Ivey Team)

    Prizes: $1,500 cash prize & $500 in Patagonia apparel