Jason Amri is an undergraduate student and Schulich Leader in the Faculty of Mathematics, currently working on a double degree in computer science and business administration.
Schulich Leader Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students who are entrepreneurial-minded and set out to use science, technology, engineering and math to contribute to social, economic and political change.
Along with taking classes and working 9 to 5 for a co-op employer, Amri is an entrepreneur and a shining example of Waterloo’s spirit of innovation. The star student is a natural leader and has tirelessly worked to create opportunities to make the world a better place.
He recently founded a startup called 3cycle, which sets out to tackle the urgent problem of global plastic waste, specifically related to emerging technologies in 3D printing. The new company is currently involved in some entrepreneurial events, including the Concept 5K Challenge through Velocity and the Problem Pitch through the Problem Lab.
“I’ve been 3D printing for eight years, and almost as soon as I started, I noticed a massive problem around the plastic waste it created,” Amri says. “Over the years and through the pandemic, my interest in the technology and this problem expanded, as has the widespread adoption of 3D printing. The problem was growing, and something had to be done.”
His company 3cycle aims to address the global plastic waste crisis by introducing an effortless circular supply chain in 3D printing for hobbyists and community organizations. These small-scale users make up most of the market but have no alternatives for their plastic waste other than the landfill. In this sense, 3cycle is a social enterprise and an example of business with social purpose.
“I think self-sustaining social enterprises have enormous potential for good,” he continues. “The approaches and methodologies used in business have strong applications in social impact, and by orienting organizations to focus equally on people, planet and profits, we can make a huge difference in the world.”
Asked where he sees himself in five years, Amri says he is sure of one thing: that he will still be trying to make a difference.
“I love solving complex problems in technology strategy and working with talented people. In the future, I’d love to help with the strategic direction of large technical organizations while positively impacting the world.”
