A team of students at the University of Windsor, Canada, has come up with a business idea that could give a second purpose to discarded Lake Erie fish. Ramla Hammoud is spearheading the student team looking at ways to use fish-processing byproducts to make nutritious dog biscuits instead of discarding them. The concept earned first place at the university’s inaugural Hult Prize on-campus finals in February 2026, recognising its approach to combining environmental sustainability with entrepreneurship. The project offers a potential way to reduce waste from commercial fisheries while developing a product for pet owners.
Ramla Hammoud and her team plan to turn Lake Erie fish waste into dog biscuits
The business idea centres on transforming discarded fish byproducts into dog treats. According to the University of Windsor, Team 100% Fish developed a startup concept to convert Lake Erie fish-processing waste into premium, nutritious dog biscuits.The project addresses a challenge associated with commercial fishing. Once fish are caught and processed for human consumption, some material remains unused. Instead of treating these leftovers as waste, the students are exploring whether they can become the foundation of a useful product.The University of Windsor said the team won first place at the first Hult Prize on-campus finals with this sustainability-focused business plan. The proposal was chosen from student submissions that aim to solve real-world problems with innovative business solutions.The initiative also reflects a broader effort to find value in material that might otherwise be discarded, giving fish-processing byproducts another possible use.
Why discarded fish could become valuable for pet food
CBC News reported in November 2025 that University of Windsor students were working to transform fish waste into dog treats. The project was designed to divert material from a Lake Erie fishery that might otherwise end up in landfill or be converted into biofuels.Students and researchers worked together to explore ways of making good use of fish processing by-products. Rather than simply discard the material, the team saw an opportunity to create a product for the pet food market.This could be good for the environment and a potential business. There is an environmental reason to reduce waste, and dog treats are one product that could be developed and marketed to the consumer.The project involves collaboration between science and business students at the University of Windsor. the team is examining how fish-processing waste can be turned into useful products.
Team 100% Fish won the Hult Prize at Windsor
The business proposal gained recognition at the University of Windsor’s first Hult Prize on-campus finals, held on February 5, 2026.A panel of judges heard pitches from 6 student teams on their business plans in the university’s report. The contest has motivated the participants to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems and provided them a platform to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas.Team 100% Fish secured first place with its proposal to transform discarded Lake Erie fish byproducts into premium, nutritious dog treats.The competition also recognised other sustainability-focused ideas. Team MycoVolt placed second with a concept involving mushroom waste and sustainable batteries, while Team Novafloat finished third with a proposal aimed at helping potential small businesses access capital.The winning team was scheduled to represent the University of Windsor and the City of Windsor at the Hult Prize national competition in Montreal in April 2026. The university reported that the national event would bring the students closer to the global competition, where teams compete for a $1 million prize.CBC News described the initiative as an effort to divert fish waste from landfill or biofuel use, while the University of Windsor highlighted its potential to produce nutritious dog treats from discarded Lake Erie fish byproducts.
