Here is just a small sample of the supports available to budding Canadian entrepreneurs.
- ACE (Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship): This national organization is affiliated with the worldwide SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) program, which hosts international competitions for student entrepreneurs. Many Canadian universities and colleges have active ACE/SIFE chapters where students learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, and then apply that knowledge to create their own community-based ventures. See acecanada.ca
- The Next 36: This new-venture challenge, launched in 2011, arose from a popular course on entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto. Each year, 36 candidates are selected from thousands of applicants to participate; funding comes from various sponsors, including top Canadian entrepreneurs. Students are placed in teams and mentored by business leaders, such as Jordan Banks, managing director of Facebook Canada. The teams develop their venture—which has to be based on mobile or web technologies—while learning the necessary skills to be successful. See thenext36.ca
- Venture Connection at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Surrey and Burnaby, B.C.: Along with offering academic programs in entrepreneurship and other contests, the university also runs Venture Connection. This program gives support to students from the very beginning—the “first spark” of an idea. Mentorships, resources, seminars, workshops and co-ops are some of the advantages of joining. Web ventures such as MetroLyrics, Hiretheworld and Buyatab are among the many successful alumni of the program. See ventureconnection.sfu.ca
- Schlegal Centre for Entrepreneurship at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ont.: The Centre provides resources for students, such as an in-house entrepreneur for advice, co-ops and a loan program for students looking to start their own business. Its Laurier Entrepreneurship Competition offers thousands of dollars in prizes, along with publicity and feedback. There is also the BDO New Venture Competition, a year-long course where students work in teams to develop a venture. Scholarships are awarded at the end-of-year awards reception. See http://bit.ly/Ou7sP9
- The Genesis Centre at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s: The Genesis Centre provides support for technology-based businesses and new entrepreneurial ideas. The greater community can access their services—it’s not just for students. Admission to Genesis provides you with access to office space and equipment, mentors, technical and scientific resources, a large entrepreneurial community and opportunities for networking. See genesis.mun.ca
- Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University, Toronto: It’s not just students that are eligible for this digital media entrepreneurship program; anyone in the greater Toronto area can make a pitch to be supported by the DMZ. When accepted, the hopeful entrepreneurs receive guidance and resources to help make their ventures a success. An alumnus start-up of the program is TeamSave, a social buying website that has since partnered with Kijiji. See digitalmediazone.ryerson.ca
