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SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison Commerce student Matthew Kaul of Toronto, ON has been named a recipient of the from the Sobey Foundation. 

Valued at $45,000 each, the awards — eight in total for 2025 — support the development of future business leaders and business programs in Atlantic Canadian Universities.  

"Matthew's dedication to his studies and commitment to gaining real-world experience made him an ideal candidate for the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies,” says Dean of Social Sciences and Business Dr. Yves Bourgeois. “This recognition is a testament to his hard work and leadership in the field of business. His achievement also reflects the high calibre of talent and dedication that defines our students and inspires future leaders in the business world.” 

Kaul is a fourth-year student set to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce with a minor in economics in May.  

In a traditional workplace, achievements are often recognized by your boss or a colleague. Kaul says when building something independently, validation isn’t always immediate.  

"That's what makes this award feel so special," he says. "To have someone recognize my work — especially someone so respected — it really means a lot to me.” 

Originally Kaul considered pursuing a career in medicine. He did a high school co-op placement at a hospital in Toronto, but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for him. He discovered his passion for business after taking his first introductory course in high school. 

Looking for a productive way to spend his time during the pandemic, Kaul decided to start his own small business. He grew up loving cars and so he turned his interest into an entrepreneurial venture by starting a car detailing service. He invested in a vehicle and the necessary supplies with the money he made working at a local grocery store. He dedicated the summer after Grade 12 to growing his small business.  

“It was so rewarding and was another reason why I fell in love with business,” says Kaul. “There was something incredibly satisfying about closing a deal and selling a client on my services — I really enjoyed it.” 

His car detailing business quickly gained traction and as demand grew he brought on a friend to help manage the workload. By the following summer, sales continued to rise and he expanded further by hiring two more friends to keep up with the customer base. 

Kaul continued his entrepreneurial pursuits at Mount Allison, launching a transportation service called Takeoff with two of his peers, designed to help Aviation students commute to MFC Training in Dieppe, NB. In the summer of 2023, the business operated with a purchased bus and a team of four drivers. While ridership was steady, it wasn’t enough to sustain long-term and the bus was sold in December 2023. Despite this, Kaul says the venture provided valuable insights through a year of consultations and focus groups with students and was an incredible learning experience.  

After graduation this May, Kaul is excited about the next chapter of his journey. He plans to move to Halifax, NS, where he aims to start his career in real estate and private equity. Drawing from his hands-on business experience and entrepreneurial mindset, he looks forward to exploring new opportunities and making an impact in the industry. 

About the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies 

The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies began in 1989 to support the development of future business leaders and business programs at Atlantic Canadian Universities. This prestigious award honours students based on academics, entrepreneurship, leadership, community involvement, philanthropy, and career aspirations. 

Each academic year eight awards are offered to full-time undergraduate students of business studies in universities in the Atlantic Provinces. The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies has awarded more than $4 million to students since its inception. The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies extends its congratulations to all award recipients. We look forward to their continued accomplishments and contributions to the communities in which they live and work.