Huseyn Akhundov Awarded Bergeron Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Excellence  

Each year, the BEST (Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology) program awards the Bergeron Fellowship to an outstanding graduating student from York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering who demonstrates entrepreneurial leadership and talent and has been actively engaged in the BEST program and community. 

In 2024, Huseyn Akhundov, who graduated with an Honours degree in Computer Science, was awarded the Bergeron Fellowship in recognition of his engagement with BEST, including completing the BEST Certificate and BEST Bridge to Startup programs. 

Akhundov demonstrated strong commitment to BEST program initiatives, supporting the student entrepreneur’s community and mentoring students in BEST experiential education activities. These included UNHack and BEST Startup Experience, which foster ecosystems where knowledge and opportunities are shared. 

Reflecting on his experience, Akhundov shared, “From the moment I joined Lassonde, the BEST program provided an environment that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, explore new ideas and translate concepts into real-world solutions.” 

Inspired by the BEST Certificate courses, Akhundov embarked on his entrepreneurial journey and launched his startup, NoblKids, a platform designed to connect parents with top activity providers, offering an all-in-one portal for managing extracurricular activities in the Greater Toronto Area. He credits the mentorship, community culture and industry connections provided by the BEST program at Lassonde for transforming his idea from a concept into a functional business and navigating the challenges of launching a startup. 

Since the launch of NoblKids in 2024, Akhundov has onboarded and coached more than ten York and Lassonde students through BEST entrepreneurial work-integrated learning and BEST entrepreneurial co-op programs, highlighting his commitment to experiential learning and community support. 

Looking ahead, Akhundov plans to continue developing NoblKids, supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and promoting the values of innovation and collaboration that the BEST program embodies. He noted, “Encouraging and supporting fellow innovators has been a deeply rewarding experience.” 

The Bergeron Fellowship underscores Akhundov’s dedication to entrepreneurship and community engagement, reflecting the mission of the BEST program to empower technology leaders and innovators.