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York alumni-founded startup breathes new air into industry 

(Left to right) Blade Air founders Aedan Fida, Giancarlo Sessa and Joe Fida

By Diana Senwasane, student and community engagement coordinator, YSpace and VPRI 

Since its inception five years ago, YSpace – York University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub – has supported hundreds of startups from ideation to incubation to scale. One such startup venture is Blade Air, which is quickly establishing itself as a national leader in the air filtration industry.   

Founded by two York alumni from the Schulich School of Business, Giancarlo Sessa (BBA’19) and Aedan Fida (BBA’19), along with his brother Joseph Fida, Blade Air was recently named the fifth-fastest-growing company in Canada for 2023 by the Globe and Mail. 

(Left to right) Blade Air founders Aedan Fida, Giancarlo Sessa and Joe Fida
Left to right: Blade Air founders Aedan Fida, Giancarlo Sessa and Joe Fida.

The trio is also celebrating one of their other latest achievements from earlier this year: the acquisition of CleanAir.ai, a Toronto-based startup that specializes in electromagnetic HVAC filters.  

The move will enhance Blade Air Smart IAQ Platform, the company’s innovative software for indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions.  

“With this strategic acquisition, Blade Air has access to patents and technology that will fast-track the next generation of its Blade Air Smart IAQ Platform,” says Sessa, chief revenue officer. “This enables businesses, real estate groups and facility managers to access critical, real-time data regarding their indoor air quality while reducing energy consumption, carbon emissions and lowering operational costs.” 

So far, Blade Air has implemented air quality solutions in over 540-million cubic feet of building spaces across North America, including for government, educational boards, hospitals and commercial enterprises. The list continues to grow as more spaces prioritize indoor air quality after the COVID-19 pandemic.   

A Blade Air HEPA Air purifier, the portable air quality solution for commercial spaces
A Blade Air HEPA Air Purifier, the portable air quality solution for commercial spaces.

Sessa says the company’s success is due in part to the support they received early on from YSpace, which provides access to mentors, testing equipment, and connections with funders and key resources.  

“YSpace was extremely supportive in providing us with the resources we needed to succeed, including great advisors, tools for making our business processes more efficient and an always cheerful and supportive network,” he says.  

The company has also prioritized sustainability, working to reduce its carbon footprint using zero-waste technology. They also created the world’s first zero-waste carbon filters.  

This commitment to innovate and be leaders in their industry stems from Sessa and Fida’s days at York.  

“Attending York University not only gave us the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the world of business, but we also found the inspiration to dream bigger and the network to make those dreams a reality,” Sessa says. “York empowered us to turn our vision into a thriving venture, and for that we are forever grateful.” 

To learn more about Blade Air, visit bladeair.com.  

Paper explores impact of consumer protection on vulnerable borrowers

Man holding open an empty wallet

New research from York University’s Schulich School of Business shows consumers are ambivalent toward stricter government consumer protection interventions in Alberta’s payday loans industry.

Ela Veresiu
Ela Veresiu

The findings are contained in the paper, “Vulnerable Consumer Experiences of (Dis)Empowerment with Consumer Protection Regulations,” recently published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs. The article was co-written by Ela Veresiu, associate professor of marketing at Schulich, together with Schulich’s most recent marketing doctoral graduate, Rowan El-Bialy (now an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management); Mohammed El Hazzouri, an associate professor at Dalhousie University; and Kelley Main, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and a professor of marketing at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business. 

As payday loans are a highly unequal service relation of power and domination that empowers lenders by positioning disempowered borrowers as indebted and solely responsible for future obligations, the study set out to examine how increased consumer protection regulations affect financially vulnerable consumers’ experiences.

“We chose the location of Alberta, Canada as our study’s context for two main reasons,” says El-Bialy. “Alberta was the first province in Canada to introduce stricter regional-wide payday loan regulations intended to protect consumers, and Alberta has a large population that experiences financial vulnerability due to multiple economic, historical and political factors.”

“We do not find a straightforward answer, rather some payday loan consumers perceive stricter regulations as either empowering, disempowering or both, depending on their individual situations,” notes Veresiu. “For example, the most vulnerable consumers in our sample, namely those receiving government support and those with multiple, precarious sources of income, found it harder to obtain a payday loan after the new regulation was put in place, especially if they owed previous debts.”

The results of this research demonstrate that stricter consumer protection regulations in the context of the payday loan industry have produced several favourable short-term outcomes for financially vulnerable consumers, thus empowering them. It is, however, necessary to recognize that the payday lending industry is dynamic and that regulations will need to continue evolving alongside it. 

A guide to navigating the holidays sustainably

assortment of wrapped gifts banner

The holiday season, with traditions rooted in gift giving and big meals, can be a challenge for those looking to consume responsibly, keeping sustainability in mind. Associate Professor Nicole Mead, an expert in consumer behaviour, shares a few tips on how to navigate the season sustainably.

Mead, who is also an expert in sustainable consumption, offers these suggestions for finding ways to shop – whether for gifts or food – with sustainability in mind throughout the holidays.

Research who and where you are buying from

Nicole Mead
Nicole Mead

As sustainable consumption has grown as a priority across the world, resources have become available to provide transparency about which companies are prioritizing sustainability, too.

“Even five years ago, it was hard to know what the provenance was of what you were purchasing,” says Mead. “There’s increasingly consumer-friendly ways to identifying companies that are more sustainable than others.”

Going into holiday season, she encourages searching Google and scanning company-provided QR codes linking to sustainability transparency, among other options, to better understand the sustainability practices of companies you want to buy from. She also points to resources that have done some of the work already.

“There’s a lot of other companies that are doing independent work to make the supply chain a lot more transparent to consumers,” says Mead. For example, she points to B Corp, a non-profit organization that provides businesses with a certification indicating high sustainability standards, as one of many resources now widely available to be help make informed sustainable consumption decisions this holiday.

Consider buying better quality

Inflation has proven a financial challenge for many this year, with hard-earned dollars not going as far as they used to. When considering gifts, that can lead to consider more frugal options. “As we feel the pressure on our bank accounts, there’s perhaps a tendency sometimes to buy cheaper things,” says Mead. She suggests reconsidering.  

“In terms of sustainability, there’s really good evidence that buying higher price or better quality goods is really important for the environment,” she says. “Maybe up front there is a higher ticket price, but you’ll probably save time and money down the road, because what you buy will actually last longer.”

Shop locally

“If you’re going to be planning a holiday gathering – if you’re going to be cooking food – consider local markets, where farmers are selling their products,” says Mead. Beyond the benefits of supporting one’s local community, shopping locally supports sustainability since the shipping and transportation of goods can be a huge source of carbon emissions. Buying locally – not just food, but even handmade goods as gifts – helps people consume more sustainably during the holidays.

Explore alternative modes of giving

There are more ways to shop than through big-name online or box-store retailers. Sustainability options exist that go beyond material goods. Experiences – which can include museum memberships, donations, group outings and more – can be gifted, which consume fewer resources, making them an option that is not only better for the planet but can be good for the soul. “There’s research that suggests that experiences can be actually better for your happiness. You’re going to enjoy them more over time, in part because they can help us connect to other people,” says Mead.

Another means of giving that can minimize resource consumption is repairing and regifting something loved ones already appreciate. “A lot of times we have things around the house that we love that need a little bit of extra attention or to be repaired. We just don’t really get around to actually doing it, but we really would like to use those things again,” says Mead. Someone fixing and regifting something can be a sustainable and appreciated mode of giving.  

By following these tips, it’s possible to join a movement that rights the future through increasingly easier and more rewarding ways of being sustainable. “It’s no longer this environment of ‘I need to sacrifice in order to be sustainable.’ Now it’s ‘I can be sustainable and really enjoy what I’m consuming.’ That’s the way forward for our world,” says Mead.

Schulich ExecEd launches municipal leadership training program

Business team training session

York University’s Schulich ExecEd has partnered with the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association (OMAA) to launch the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Leadership Program.

The dynamic, five-day program will help government administrators gain the vital leadership skills and strategies needed to better support elected officials and effectively implement council policies.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association in launching the prestigious Chief Administrative Officer Leadership Program,” said Rami Mayer, executive director of Schulich ExecEd. “Upskilling and reskilling municipalities are crucial endeavours that hold significant importance in adapting to the evolving challenges and opportunities faced by local governments. This partnership recognizes this need, equipping participants with essential business skills and acumen, as well as providing a clear pathway for leadership success in municipal governance.”

The program will cover trending topics in the industry such as political acuity, digital transformation and data analysis. Upon completion, participants will be ready to thrive in their CAO roles or move up the career ladder to more senior positions. The program’s hybrid format allows easy access to programming and materials for busy professionals.

“The CAO position is a uniquely challenging one that has lacked a clear educational pathway for those considering entering,” said Scott Vokey, OMAA executive director. “OMAA is very pleased to collaborate with Schulich to help start construction on this pathway.”

OMAA represents CAOs and aspiring CAOs in municipalities of all tiers and sizes across Ontario. It fosters excellence in CAO leadership, know-how and professional management of municipalities. Paired with Schulich ExecEd’s expertise in professional development and experience in upskilling and reskilling public sector organizations, the partnership marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of leadership excellence.

“Through our partnership with Schulich ExecEd, we are offering unique and true value as well as deep insight into what is required to be an effective chief administrative officer,” said Peter Neufeld, OMAA president and CAO of the Municipality of Leamington. “OMAA is excited to help develop the first certificate program to specifically focus on the unique needs of the CAO position.”

The CAO Leadership Program is kicking off on April 4, 2024, and registration is open now. Visit the web page to enrol or to learn more: Education and Training – Ontario Municipal Administrators Association (omaa.on.ca).

Schulich receives $1M commitment for Centre for Customer Centricity

woman presenting

York University’s Schulich School of Business has received a new $1-million commitment from StarTech.com in support of the school’s Centre for Customer Centricity, a hub for the creation, application and dissemination of knowledge related to making organizations customer-centric.

Schulich’s Centre for Customer Centricity, which assists organizations in implementing a customer-centric management philosophy and culture, was established in 2019 thanks to an initial $1-million gift from StarTech.com, a leading manufacturer of information technology (IT) connectivity products. The centre also provides organizations with customized consulting projects involving extensive industry, competitor and customer analysis, followed by insights and practical recommendations.  

The consulting projects are carried out annually by teams of master of business administration (MBA) students from Schulich, who are coached and guided by Professor Ajay Sirsi, the centre’s director and an associate professor of marketing at Schulich.

“We’re very excited about the continued support provided by Paul Seed (StarTech.com chief executive officer and owner) and StarTech.com for this unique centre,” says Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick. “The Centre for Customer Centricity is providing invaluable, real-world learning for our Schulich MBA students as they help companies solve complex problems, boost their bottom line and grow their customer base.”

Since its inception, the centre has provided 225 MBA students with experiential learning opportunities that have benefited 30 companies.

“I am grateful for the trust Paul Seed has put in me and the Schulich School of Business to honour his desire to share with companies and MBA students the customer-centric thinking that has made StarTech.com a leader in IT connectivity accessories,” says Sirsi. “The only centre of its kind in the world, the Centre for Customer Centricity will continue inspiring students and guiding organizations wanting to put the customer at the heart of their decision-making.”

Companies or organizations interested in participating in a consulting project with the Centre for Customer Centricity can contact Sirsi at asirsi@schulich.yorku.ca. For more information on the centre, visit schulich.yorku.ca/faculty-research/centre-for-customer-centricity.

Type of cash carried influences saving and spending, finds study

Canadian cash, bills and coins

New research from York University’s Schulich School of Business shows that the type of cash people carry – coins or bills – determines how much they spend.

Nicole Mead
Nicole Mead

The findings are contained in a recently published paper in the Journal of Consumer Psychology titled “When cash costs you: The pain of holding coins over banknotes.” The article was co-written by Nicole Mead, an associate professor of marketing at Schulich, together with Jay Zenkić from Deakin University in Australia and Kobe Millet from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

“As a starting point in our research, we thought that some cash is annoying to keep because of its physical characteristics – for example, bulky coins – which we term the pain of holding,” says Mead. “This pain, in turn, may drive consumers to spend more money as people try to rid themselves of annoying stimuli.”

The researchers conducted a field experiment with poor labourers in rural India and two more experiments with American participants. They tested their hypothesis by giving people coins or equivalently valued banknotes and then measured their pain of holding and subsequent spending. The research findings showed that carrying coins increases spending as a result of this “pain of holding” factor, says Mead.

Why does it matter? According to Mead, their research findings “suggest that the pain of holding contributes to under-saving, which may be especially problematic among vulnerable populations who rely on cash.”

The researchers also provided some practical recommendations for people wishing to encourage savings or spending. Mead says that organizations and governments could encourage saving – as well as reduce administrative and minting costs – by returning change to consumers digitally rather than in cash.  

On the flip side, notes Mead, organizations or businesses interested in promoting greater spending or donations could provide consumers with more coins as part of their change. As an example, Mead says that a museum seeking to increase donations could provide more coin-based change for tickets to encourage donation.

Bottom line, says Mead, is that consumers spend more when carrying coins instead of equivalently valued dollar bills because coins are more of a pain to hold.

How one professor is engaging community to shrink York’s carbon footprint

York Professor Burkard Eberlein, from the Schulich School of Business, set out to reduce the University’s carbon emissions in his 2021-23 Provostial Fellowship.

Burkard Eberlein
Burkard Eberlein

Through the program, Fellows have traditionally engaged the community to take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Challenge – a key commitment of the University Academic Plan.

Eberlein’s project, “Advancing Carbon Neutrality at York: Reimagining Mobility,” took aim at reducing emissions from commuting and travel to studying, research and carrying out University business activities.

In 2022, Eberlein surveyed York community members about their travel and commuting routines, and this year he released a video highlighting the University’s current carbon footprint with a call to action suggesting how community members can help reduce it.

Here’s a look at the inspiration behind his work.

Q: What was the thinking behind creating this video and what did you hope to achieve?
A: I was looking for engaging and fun ways to communicate my findings to the wider community. I wanted this to be something we could all relate to and that would work as a call to action.

I worked with Alexandre Magnin, a francophone illustrator, who produced this animated video (available in English and French). Alex has a YouTube channel called “Sustainability illustrated” and he does excellent videos on sustainability that I have used before in my teaching. I provided the script and Alex produced this fantastic work to engage the community in thinking about ways they can help York achieve its net zero before 2040 target.

Q: What are some concrete ways community members can make an impact?
A: First thing, just be more mindful of the choices that you make when it comes to commuting and travel. Many of us have habits and routines that we can examine more closely. For example, if you’re driving to campus regularly, are there ways you can set up a car pool with colleagues or classmates? This would be a small but meaningful, positive change.

Bike share station on York University's Keele campus
A bike share station on York University’s Keele Campus.

Below are some concrete steps that people can take, along with advocating to get more community members involved:

  • Taking the bus or the subway can reduce emissions by around six (bus) and 30 (subway) times compared to driving alone. 
  • Walking and biking generate virtually no emissions and York is investing in bike share programs. 
  • Driving an electric car typically generates a third of the emissions compared to fossil fuel vehicles. 
  • When driving a car, the more people in it the more efficient it becomes. 
  • Make your business travel count and consider whether you can deliver a presentation remotely or think about conference travel sustainably. 

Q: What is your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from this project?
A: Change is hard and it requires both passion and perseverance. Begin with small steps and make sure to involve all of your fellow community members and partners. By coming together, we can show what is possible to right the future.

Eberlein is co-chair of the Transportation Working Group that will develop proposals in this area (e.g. York business travel policy), in the context of York’s new sustainability framework. He is also looking forward to sharing his comprehensive slide deck and report on how York can reduce carbon emissions from commuting and business travel when it is officially released.

Learn more about Eberlein’s work as a curricular champion to support the UN SDGs and his work to engage students in reducing York’s carbon footprint. 

Watch the video here:

Schulich Startups opens entrepreneurship office

Students working together in a workspace rom

York University’s Schulich School of Business recently opened new office space for Schulich Startups, which leads the development of the school’s accelerator and incubator services and helps support aspiring and established student entrepreneurs.

Schulich Startups office space
Schulich Startups new office space.

Located on the second floor of the Dezsö J. Horváth Executive Learning Centre, the new facility represents the school’s ongoing commitment to fostering an innovative and collaborative startup ecosystem. It is equipped with the following workspaces that cater to the varying needs of the student entrepreneurship community:

  • Founders Workspace (Private Lounge): tailored to startup founders seeking a quiet area for deep, focused work or confidential discussions.
  • Media Room: equipped with advanced podcasting technology, this room is ideal for startup founders and entrepreneurship-focused student clubs hosting podcasts, conducting interviews and creating multimedia content.
  • Conference Room: this versatile space can host up to 15 participants and is perfect for workshops, seminars and guest lectures, as well as Schulich “Idea Jams” with portfolio companies.
  • Co-working Space: a dynamic, collaborative environment for startup teams to come together.

“The new office space will facilitate the continued growth and development of the Schulich Startups community, which now includes more than 200 companies and over 3,000 members, and which is dedicated to creating the next generation of Schulich entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick.

For more information about Schulich Startups, visit schulich.yorku.ca/schulich-startups.

Schulich triumphs in fall case competitions

Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building

This semester, the Schulich School of Business sent several case competition teams to universities across North America – to much success. Each student team received coaching from alumni and faculty as part of Schulich’s highly regarded Case Competition Program, which serves as a platform to develop essential skills in strategic thinking and presentation.

Schulich School of Business Fall 2023 case competition teams. Left photo, from left to right: Ian Chang, Disha Mittal and Abilash Sathyakumar. Right photo, top row: Siddharth Dave, Jack Goodwin and Omer Rahim; middle row: Kian Rastegar and Sophia Katzell; bottom row: Sophie MacLellan, Joanne Estephan, Joe Fayt and Mikayla Wronko.

Team Schulich clinched the $10,000 top prize at Duke University’s 2023 Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition. Ian Chang (JD/MBA ’24), Disha Mittal (JD/MBA ’24) and Abilash Sathyakumar (JD/MBA ’25) competed against 60 teams from over seven countries, including finalists from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Judget Business School at the University of Cambridge. Their winning proposal offered a practical business model addressing the electrification challenges in Nigeria’s rural areas. The team’s achievement, with support from alumna Neda Riazi (BBA ’14), reflects Schulich’s commitment to developing solutions with positive social and environmental impact.

The DeGroote Innovative Solutions Competition (DISC), which took place virtually earlier this month, saw two new Schulich case teams secure second and third place. Students Mikayla Wronko, Sophie MacLellan, Sophia Katzell, Joanne Estephan, Jack Goodwin, Omer Rahim, Kian Rastegar and Siddharth Dave tackled two real-life business cases sponsored by industry leaders. The competition tested their ability to quickly devise business strategies, with one week of preparation for the first case and a three-hour timeframe for the second. The DISC teams received guidance from alumni coaches Michael Chan (MBA ’19), Santoshi Tadanki (MMAI ’23), Kristen Ferkranus (MBA ’20), Adam Wexler (MBA ’11) and Ollie Adegbulu (MF ’23).

All student teams were coached by Professor Joe Fayt, who teaches several marketing courses at Schulich and is responsible for training the graduate-level case teams. Fayt brings over a decade of experience to the Case Competition Program and has earned over 60 international competition victories through his coaching of Schulich teams.

“Congratulations to the Schulich teams on their top-tier placements at recent national and international case competitions,” said Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick. “Kudos as well to the case competition coaches, alumni advisors and supporting faculty who did an outstanding job preparing our students to compete at the very highest levels.”

YSpace partners with BDC to support future female leaders

A group of professional women standing together

York University will support and advance early-stage, women-led social impact businesses through a new partnership between YSpace, the University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub, and BDC’s Thrive Lab, a new venture offering equity and equity-like investments for these impact-driven companies.

After building the one-of-a-kind, $100-million Thrive Lab over the past nine months, BDC – Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs – has announced investments, training and support for at least 100 ambitious, women-led businesses committed to delivering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social issues.

The lab’s first phase will co-invest – alongside 25 partners from across Canada, including YSpace – in businesses at the earliest stages of development, where they face the most fundraising challenges.

As a partner, YSpace will help identify and validate women-led ventures within its portfolios as candidates for this funding and support. As a representative of York University, YSpace is also partnering with Schulich Startups, an initiative led by the Schulich School of Business Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, to ensure that Schulich founders are also eligible and nominated. Thrive Lab is committing up to $250,000 in funding to help those companies accelerate, said Nafis Ahmed, entrepreneurship manager of YSpace.

“It’s a really good opportunity for our companies from YSpace. We have many women-led ventures that are looking for these investment opportunities and now they get a direct pipeline into the BDC program,” said Ahmed. “It’s helping them tap into extra funding opportunities that they didn’t have before. Our commitment to the founders is that we will be performing the due diligence process to prepare them for the BDC investment committee and provide up to 18 months of support should they be selected for investment.”

BDC has identified the first 25 partners as “changemakers for emerging companies.” Partners were selected based on their track record of supporting women entrepreneurs or their expertise in social impact, their capacity to deliver resources and their ability to reach women where they are across Canada, including in underserved communities.

David Kwok
David Kwok

“We are so excited to be partnering with BDC’s Thrive Lab to increase access to funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the country,” said David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace and the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation. “Our award-winning women’s entrepreneurship program ELLA has been a staple in the community supporting women-led ventures since 2019, and we recently went national this past year with our partners Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada and Desjardins, supporting women from coast to coast. This partnership is strongly aligned with York’s UN SDGs focus on gender equality, and it also further demonstrates how YSpace and York University is a leading organization in supporting women entrepreneurs.”

BDC has earmarked $35 million for the first phase of the initiative. To be eligible, a business must be women-led, making a measurable positive impact tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) – such as food security and responsible agriculture, health and well-being, education, reduced inequalities, and responsible consumption and production – as well as actively raising capital and nominated by a Thrive Lab partner.

“Women entrepreneurs are under-represented and underfunded,” said Sévrine Labelle, managing director of Thrive Lab. “BDC aims to change that, and the fastest and most impactful way to deliver on that change is to work with organizations already rolling up their sleeves to support emerging women-led and social impact companies.”

Working collaboratively, the lab is designed to experiment and adapt and pursue new ways of providing support in line with the needs of women-led businesses.

The second phase will build on learnings from this initiative and ongoing feedback from partners and women entrepreneurs.

The Thrive Lab is part of BDC’s $500-million Thrive Platform. Announced in fall 2022, it is the largest investment platform in the world supporting women-led businesses. It includes three components: the $300-million Thrive Venture Fund, a $100-million Indirect Investment Envelope and the $100-million Thrive Lab.