Congratulations to the winners of the Youth for Entrepreneurship Media Contest 2025
On February 26, 2025, the YMCA of Greater Toronto hosted a special awards gala to celebrate the participants and winners of the Youth for Entrepreneurship (Y4E) Media Contest. Over 4,000 young people participated in virtual and in-person workshops and webinars leading up to the contest, culminating in the awards night.
Special guests included The Barrett Family Foundation, WWF Canada, and many youth contestants and participants who enthusiastically cheered on their peers.
What is Youth for Entrepreneurship?
The third annual Y4E program for youth ages 15–24, supported by The Barrett Family Foundation, consists of a series of free workshops to empower young people with the practical knowledge and digital skills they need to start their business journey. It’s offered in Ontario, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, with a francophone component in New Brunswick.
An integral part of the program is the Y4E Media Contest in which youth aged 18–24 participate to raise awareness of youth entrepreneurship and the resources available to support entrepreneurs in Canada.
This year, with a chance to win one of six award prizes between $200 and $1,000, a talented, creative pool of contestants crafted videos and posters encouraging young people to start their own businesses and consider innovations for climate change.
“Working with the youth in the Youth for Entrepreneurship Media Contest was an enriching experience,” says Sabina Kafarov, Education and Awareness Coordinator, Y4E. “The opportunity not only gave young individuals a platform to express their creativity, but also encouraged them to think critically and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Alex Shibu, emcee
Alex Shibu, a former YMCA Newcomer Youth Leadership Development (NYLD) program participant and intern, participated in the Y4E workshops and contest three years ago. At this year’s awards gala, Alex took the stage as emcee and shared the many opportunities that had opened up for him after becoming a Y4E contest winner.
Alex Shibu's inspiring journey
Alex's journey exemplifies the transformative power of youth programs and entrepreneurial initiatives.
As a curious Grade 9 student in NYLD program during COVID-19, Alex quickly distinguished himself as an entrepreneur through fundraising campaigns, podcast production, and a virtual youth art showcase. This led to his first internship at the YMCA, where he developed valuable web literacy and marketing skills.
His entrepreneurial spirit emerged during Y4E workshops, where he ambitiously envisioned creating a banana chips brand called Bigger Than Pringles. The Y4E video contest became a pivotal moment for him. Armed with just his brother, a camera, and knitting needles, Alex created a winning submission he describes as “a massive turning point that opened up so many opportunities."
Following his Y4E success, Alex took a gap year as a Canada GAP fellow and explored India's startup ecosystem. He also joined The Knowledge Society (TKS) incubator, which enabled him to attend prestigious conferences like a World AI Summit and Collision Conference. He founded Avalonn, a voice artificial intelligence (AI) tool for independent contractors, receiving support through Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) mentorship and DMZ accelerator programs at University of Toronto. His journey continued with a research internship, studying decision theory abroad.
Alex's story powerfully illustrates how curiosity, boldness, and embracing new opportunities can lead to extraordinary growth and unexpected paths of success.
Carlos Bustamante, keynote speaker
Keeping with the energy Alex and the Y4E youth brought to the room at the awards gala, the audience was delighted by an uplifting keynote speech by Carlos Bustamante. This six-time Canadian Screen Awards-winning host and entertainment journalist shared his journey as a newcomer child of Filipino descent, which started by pursuing dance — something that seemed unconventional, but made perfect sense to him.
Carlos went on to host on-air shows on YTV and Entertainment Tonight Canada. He continued pursuing his dreams with a hit podcast, Click and Tell, which he cohosts with Sangita Patel. The podcast explores how social media stars, celebrities, and influencers craft careers and global impact in today’s digital-first world. It also allows others to share the real stories behind their images.
Being authentic in each new role has been a secret to Carlos’ success and given his work meaning.
We're thrilled to introduce the outstanding winners of the 2025 Y4E Media Contest and their inspiring projects!
Check out the winning videos and posters on our website.
Winning videos
First prize | $1,000 | Sachin Aheer
“I’m incredibly honoured to be considered a finalist. It’s a great feeling to receive this kind of recognition for my work. All I wanted to do was create a high-quality video while communicating an important benefit of pursuing entrepreneurship.” — Sachin Aheer
Second prize | $700 | Angie
Third prize | $400 | Khalfan Shah
Winning posters
First prize | $500 | Morgan Wolansky
“Being a finalist for the Y4E contest is truly an exciting accomplishment! My poster reflects my belief that entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business; it’s about creativity, resilience, and passion. I hope it inspires others to dream big, take risks, and embrace the journey of making ideas a reality.” —Morgan Wolansky
Second prize | $300 | Luqman Shah
Third prize | $200 | Muad Apdi
"I was incredibly inspired by the energy, dedication, and potential of the young leaders in this room. It's so important to nurture the talent and creativity of youth and the YMCA Youth for Entrepreneurship program does just that.” –Lesley Davidson, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Toronto
YMCA youth programs showcase
The evening featured award celebrations and an immersive expo of the YMCA's youth-focused initiatives. Guests discovered the breadth of available programs through conversations with knowledgeable staff and interactive displays that illustrated different pathways for youth engagement and development. The Black Achievers Mentorship Program, Personal Finance: I’m in Charge, and Youth Leadership Development and Newcomer Youth Leadership Development programs were among the featured opportunities.
Special thanks to all event speakers and contest final judges:
Jaheim Allwood, YMCA Newcomer Youth Intern, and Y4E Contest Winner 2024
Rebecca Barrett, The Barrett Family Foundation
Carlos Bustamante, Y4E Gala Keynote Speaker
Ellah Mangwiza, General Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, YMCA of Greater Toronto, Award Presenter
Akosua Matthews, Board Chair, YMCA of Greater Toronto
Melissa McGuire, Director, Strategic Initiatives and Client Engagement at Franklin Templeton, Y4E Contest Final Judge
Grace Ngai, National Sponsorships Leader, Brand, Marketing & Communications,
Ernst & Young LLP, Y4E Contest Final Judge
Paola Sanchez, Community Action Manager at World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada), Award Presenter, Y4E Contest Final Judge
Alex Shibu, Y4E Gala Emcee
Simran Virdi, YMCA of Greater Toronto Youth Advisory Council
