Ann Makosinski: UBC student wins $50K grant for eDrink invention

An 18-year-old first year student at the University of British Columbia, who previously appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, has won a $50,000 grant for her invention of a coffee mug that charges cell phones and other devices.

Makosinski is already known for another invention called the Hollow Flashlight, a flashlight that runs off the heat of the human hand.

The St. Michaels University School alumna is now working on plans for her latest invention, the eDrink — a mobile phone-charging travel mug for which she won the grant.

“I now have a real opportunity to seek out partners to further the development of my product design and bring my technology to market,” Makosinki said in a statement.

The Quest Climate Grant is awarded to seven entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35, working on a total of six projects. Each project received a grant of $50,000.

Other winners included: Michael Nemeth of Saskatoon for his company Bright Buildings, which is creating an affordable cohabitation housing project, and Hop Compost of Calgary, a firm that collects food waste from select Calgary and Vancouver restaurants and transforms it into a high-nutrient organic fertilizer alternative.

Solar for Life, a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide access to clean and affordable energy to developing communities, and Ungalli Clothing, which uses ethical and sustainable materials, were also among this year’s recipients.

Agencies/Canadajournal