University of Regina (U of R) engineer Denise Stilling crafts eco-friendly straws from food-grade materials and crop residue, ensuring a non-soggy drinking experience. Her company, EcoFlexPlus, seeks investors for sustainable alternatives amid environmental concerns over paper and plastic straws. With a $150,000 grant, her research explores using agricultural waste for compostable products. Stilling's venture is among the top contenders at the Startup TNT Investment Summit, aiming to revolutionize the beverage industry with her innovative solution.