Impact Challenge

Are you a post-secondary student interested in solving business problems, addressing social and environmental issues, or learning more about business as a force for change?

Our annual week-long Impact Challenge invites students to tackle real-world business problems with the support of experienced professionals in the impact sector.

Company leaders share their business context and a specific impact-related challenge directly with participants, who then compete in teams to develop and pitch thoughtful solutions with guidance from mentors with relevant expertise. Finalists pitch their ideas to an experienced panel, including the company leaders. Participants gain insights into dynamic businesses in the impact sector while having the opportunity to build problem-solving skills and their professional networks.

We are seeking 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 KOTN. 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 experience in business case competitions.

We invite you to apply to our upcoming Impact Challenge as a team (4-5 members) or as an individual. Successful applicants who applied as individuals will be paired with 3-4 team members.

The 2025 Impact Challenge took place from November 8 to 15. Applications for the 2026 Impact Challenge will open in Fall 2026.

  • "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 are now closed.

Keep an eye out for the 2026 Impact Challenge Applications in Fall 2026.

Details

Current post-secondary students from any academic discipline, excluding MBA

ELIGIBILITY

DATES

November 8-15, 2025

LOCATION

Toronto, Canada

INFORMATION, CASE TOPIC & ELIGIBILITY (FOR 2025)

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes, we receive applications from both teams (4-5 people) or individuals. Successful individual applicants will be assigned to a team of 4-5 people.

  • No. We value an interdisciplinary approach when solving the case. For this reason, we encourage applications from students outside of business disciplines or with limited experience in business case competitions.

  • No, 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, 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”.

  • Yes, 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”..

    However, the kick-off event (a week before) will be virtual.

  • No, all participants must be available to attend each event in its entirety.

  • Yes, we welcome applications from students currently enrolled in college, undergraduate, and non-MBA master’s programs.

  • Unfortunately, the challenge is only open to current students.

  • 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