CANTON, N.Y. — Enterprising students from area North Country colleges and universities got together at the second North Country Launch Day at SUNY Canton in early November.

Launch Day is a collaborative, day-long event, designed to spark entrepreneurial thinking and hands-on learning. Organized by SUNY Canton and Clarkson University’s Shipley Center for Innovation, this challenge on Nov. 7 brought together diverse teams from Jefferson Community College, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Potsdam, and the two host institutions.

Open to students from all majors, the event reflects a shared effort to strengthen the region’s innovation culture, deepen cross-campus collaboration, and build practical problem-solving skills that benefit North Country communities, according to a SUNY Canton announcement.

This year’s theme focused on environmental issues affecting the St. Lawrence River and local freshwater ecosystems — an area central to the region’s quality of life, economy, and long-term sustainability.

Opening remarks at North Country Launch Day were given by James Merrill, a St. Lawrence University graduate and Forbes Entrepreneur of Impact nominee.

Interdisciplinary teams practiced using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help them refine ideas faster, test assumptions, design early prototypes, and strengthen their problem-solving skills — giving them hands-on experience with technologies shaping modern entrepreneurship and helping the region build a more future-ready workforce.

The North Country Launch Day teams included students from a mix of the participating colleges and universities, allowing them to share varied perspectives and skill sets as they worked together to develop their business pitches.

Matthew Gattus, a cybersecurity major from SUNY Canton, said his team was in the process of writing their pitch for the final presentation about microplastics in the St. Lawrence River. “We’re focusing on repurposing microplastics taken out of wastewater,” he said in the announcement. “Our business model involves collecting microplastic waste, repurposing it, and then selling the materials to produce items such as filament for 3D printers, nanotubes for chips, and components for batteries.”

SeaComm Federal Credit Union sponsored North Country Launch Day, as well as Empire State Development through its Innovation Hot Spot Program.

SUNY Canton leadership praised the collaborative spirit and hands-on learning that the event fosters.

“Launch Day is higher education at its best — students working across disciplines, across institutions and on problems that matter. These experiences prepare our students for real-world innovation,” Lenore VanderZee, SUNY Canton VP for strategic relations and communications, said in the announcement..

Clarkson University’s Shipley Center for Innovation echoed the significance of the day.

“The North Country is becoming a hub for sustainability-focused innovation, and Launch Day gives students a platform to build skills, confidence, and solutions for the future,” said Shipley Center Director Jamey Hoose.

Students are encouraged to continue developing their ideas — or any other entrepreneurial idea they wish to pursue — with support from the Shipley Center for Innovation and the North Country Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SUNY Canton.

Next March, interested students can pitch in the first round of the New York State Business Plan Competition (NYSBPC), hosted by Clarkson University, which serves as the next major opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs to present their work. Winners from the March competition will go on to compete in the statewide NYSBPC, taking place in April, where up to $50,000 in prizes will be awarded.

More information on North Country Launch Day and future events is available at: nocolaunchday.com.