Photo by Kevin Pilar

#MadeBySFU celebrates SFU product entrepreneurs, introduces new items to SFU Spirit Shop shelves, and encourages everyone to think and buy local.  This year’s annual marketplace returned in person to SFU’s Surrey campus on October 13, 2022, attracting hundreds of shoppers and showcasing diverse wares, such as gourmet cookies, unique walking sticks, herbal salves and more.

In addition to vendor sales, which totalled over $2000 for the day, competitors vied for top prizes including the Entrepreneurial Mindset Award, the SFU Innovates Award, and purchase orders from the SFU Spirit Shop along with bookstore shelf space under the #MadeBySFU brand. 

“#MadebySFU Marketplace highlights the creative, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit in our community,” says Peter Lisiecki, Retail Supervisor of the SFU Spirit Shop. “We’re proud to be a part of this annual event that helps to promote these up-and-coming innovators.” 

Winners of the 2022 #MadeBySFU competition are:  

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Award: Jose Castro, Horizon Track Club

The SFU Innovates Award: Charmaine Ng, Love Me Some

The Bookshelf POs: Mojo the Catcoon, KindRed Shop, and Love Me Some

While the marketplace provides a venue for the finale to the months-long #MadeBySFU competition, it is also an opportunity to showcase vendors from Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship community partners, which this year included elementary school students with PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs, DTES entrepreneurs and artists from Employ to Empower, and SFU startups from Coast Capital Venture Connection. New this year was an initiative to introduce SFU staff buyers to potential vendors for departmental gift inventories and event menus. 

“A unique aspect of #MadeBySFU is how it engages the inclusive continuum of interdisciplinary, experiential programming for SFU innovators – from workshops and training, mentorship, sales opportunities at a live marketplace, community engagement, follow-on incubation services, to the university’s buy local values in action,” says Janice OBriain, Chang Institute Programs Director. “We are all here for these founders on their entrepreneurial journeys.”

The prizes and purchase orders awarded at #MadeBySFU can be pivotal in a small business’ launch and growth, providing early incentives, financial support and validation for their founders.

“Winning the top prize means a lot to me,”  says Charmaine Ng, this year’s SFU Innovates Award recipient and a purchase order winner. “The idea for our super nutritious balanced crackers started during the first year of my MBA program at SFU. To see the product in the Spirit Shop resembles the saying, ‘a dream come true’!”

Previous #MadeBySFU winners launched through the marketplace who have achieved commercial success include Melody Lim of Mala the Brand, whose eco-friendly candles are now carried in Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Chapters Indigo.

And the Chang Institute’s new #MadeBySFU departmental buyer initiative is already seeing results – an introduction between SFU staff and alumni venture BAK’D has led to an order for its delicious, 5oz gourmet cookies to be served to guests at the Beedie School of Business’ upcoming 40th anniversary party.  

The Chang Institute’s next entrepreneurship competition is coming soon – the annual Coast Capital Venture Prize – with applications open in January 2023.  

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As a collaborative initiative between the Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship and SFU Spirit Shop, #MadeBySFU was created in 2013 to celebrate product entrepreneurs. 

The Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship is the academic and interdisciplinary hub for entrepreneurship and innovation at SFU. The Institute is creating Canada’s most comprehensive and inclusive continuum of interdisciplinary, experiential programming to develop the entrepreneurial mindset, working closely with all SFU faculties and innovation partners in one of Canada’s most supportive university ecosystems.   

The SFU Spirit Shop believes in sourcing and supporting local BC companies and products. By supporting local businesses, it hopes to strengthen our community, grow BC’s economy, and maintain a sustainable and ethical business for our community partners.