Seven universities in Atlantic Canada are co-ordinating efforts to engage and support student entrepreneurs by hosting virtual workshops this fall, including Mount Saint Vincent University through the Centre for Women in Business.
Five virtual workshops and an additional three virtual fireside chats for female-identifying students will be hosted by different participating institutions. Students across all campuses are eligible to attend for free.
The fireside chats, titled Women Leading Startups, are in partnership with the Canadian Ecosystem Gathering and aim to provide additional support and inspiration for female-identifying students, who are traditionally under-represented in entrepreneurship. The chats will introduce students to women who have founded high-growth startups in Canada and allow them to network in a safe and dedicated virtual space.
Two of the workshops, How do I entrepreneur? and Stayin’ lean, are supported by Propel, an online accelerator for technology startups in Atlantic Canada.
The post-secondary institutions participating in these workshops include:
- Cape Breton University
- Dalhousie University
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Mount Saint Vincent University
- Saint Mary’s University
- University of New Brunswick
- University of Prince Edward Island
Florian Villaumé, director of the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship at Memorial University in St. John’s, N.L., says the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to reach more students through virtual events and by co-ordinating efforts between all the universities.
“Having most students studying online has opened new opportunities to inspire and enable aspiring student entrepreneurs,” said Mr. Villaumé. “With the support of Propel and Canadian Ecosystem Gathering, we are collectively investing in the future of student-led startups. This collaboration will create a strong connection between entrepreneurial students across the region, thus making the foundation of the Atlantic Canada startup ecosystem stronger.”
“By collaborating across entrepreneurship centres and educational institutions in Atlantic Canada, we can increase networks, connections and mentorship opportunities for students interested in becoming entrepreneurs.” says Tanya Priske, executive director of the Centre for Women in Business. “These workshops and chats are one of the many ways our entrepreneurship programs support business skills training and bring new and innovative business ideas to the region.”
Learn more about student entrepreneurship programs for MSVU students.
Register for individual events:
- September 24: How do I entrepreneur?
- September 29: Fireside Chat #1
- October 1: Uncover the right idea
- October 8: Stayin’ Lean
- October 20: Fireside Chat #2
- November 5: Take on Tech
- November 19: Ideathon
- November 24: Fireside Chat #3
Media Contact
Tanis Trainor
Communications Coordinator
Centre for Women in Business
tanis.trainor@msvu.ca
902-221-0929