(MONTREAL, QC) May 2, 2023 – Arielle Lok, owner of Peko and full-time student at McGill University, has won $10,000 and has been named the 2023 Student Entrepreneur National Champion by Enactus, Canada’s largest student leadership development organization, and proud program supporter, HSBC Bank Canada.
Peko is building Western Canada’s #1 online grocery marketplace that delivers “peculiar” or surplus groceries at up to 40% off retail prices.
“Enactus is shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders to help build a better Canada,” said Allyson Hewitt, President and CEO of Enactus Canada. “Arielle exemplifies all the qualities we want to see in tomorrow’s leaders, and we are so proud to recognize and celebrate her through this award!”
Arielle earned the prestigious title of Student Entrepreneur National Champion, after competing against hundreds of other Canadian student entrepreneurs. Today, she went head-to-head with two other student entrepreneur finalists, pitching her business live to a panel of business executives. Arielle was crowned Student Entrepreneur National Champion at the Enactus Canada National Exposition Awards Ceremony this evening.
“Congratulations to Arielle on being named the 2023 Student Entrepreneur National Champion,” said Caroline Tose, Chief Operation Officer, HSBC Bank Canada. “Post-secondary students already have so much on their plate. The determination, dedication and time it takes to launch and operate a thriving business in parallel is nothing short of impressive. Supporting students like Arielle aligns with our commitment to help individuals and communities develop the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the global economy.”
Every year, the Enactus Canada National Exposition unites 1,500 delegates from across the country, including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs to enable progress by supporting entrepreneurial action through competition, recognition and education.
For more information about the event, competition updates, and results, visit enactus.ca/events/national-exposition.
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ABOUT THE STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR NATIONAL COMPETITION: To celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of young Canadians, Enactus Canada runs the Student Entrepreneur National Competition, proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada. The Student Entrepreneur National Competition enhances the success of full-time students operating businesses, who are creating jobs and furthering investments in our economic future. Every year, student entrepreneurs present their businesses to panels of Canada’s industry leaders in national competitions in order to be named Enactus Canada’s Student Entrepreneur National Champion.
ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, a national charity and the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 3,000 post-secondary students led 188 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 30,000 lives.
As a global network of 33 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
ABOUT HSBC BANK CANADA
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in the country. We help companies and individuals across Canada to do business and manage their finances here and internationally through four businesses: Commercial Banking, Wealth and Personal Banking, Global Banking, and Markets and Securities Services.
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC Bank Canada, is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of US$2,990bn at 31 March 2023, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.
For more information visit www.hsbc.ca or follow us on Twitter: @HSBC_CA or Facebook: @HSBCCanada.
Media Inquiries:
Tyler Maddigan
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Enactus Canada
tyler@enactus.ca | 709.725.8931