Reza Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation, was at Communitech this morning in Waterloo and announced a partnership with the Campus-Linked Accelerators (CLA) and On-Campus Entrepreneurship Activities (OCEA) to help students interested in building their own business gaining skills to succeed.
The CLA is investing $5.8 million and the OCEA providing over $650,000. The monies will be heading towards various school entrepreneurship programs.
“Helping young entrepreneurs is another example of Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy at work. These programs will help harness their ideas, their vision and enthusiasm and turn them into jobs for today and for tomorrow. Their innovative spirit will build Ontario’s future,” said Moridi.
Campus-Linked Accelerators:
- The Waterloo Region Campus Linked Accelerator is a partnership between the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. University of Waterloo will expand its internationally recognized entrepreneurship programs, such as Velocity. Wilfrid Laurier University’s Laurier Brantford program will work to ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship in Aboriginal youth and youth at risk.
- University of Windsor’s EPICentre will support job creation and economic development opportunities by encouraging on-campus entrepreneurship and innovation, with strong ties to entrepreneurial mentors.
- Western University’s Entrepreneurship, Engagement, Economic Development (E3) will act as a hub for educational, community and private-sector partners and the foundation for nurturing a vibrant on-campus eco-system of entrepreneurship.
On-Campus Entrepreneurship Activities:
- Conestoga College’s Entrepreneurship@Conestoga helps students explore entrepreneurship as a career option and develop their entrepreneurial skills. The Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) Catalyst will support entrepreneurs in advanced manufacturing and related trades.
- Lambton College is developing a Centre of Research and Entrepreneurship. This centre will be the focal point for on-campus entrepreneurship activities as well as a regional connector for local start-up companies looking for assistance with applied research and development projects.
- St. Clair College’s Genesis is an on-campus entrepreneurship centre. Genesis will be the college’s focal point for students, faculty and community members who want to know more about starting a business.
Iain Klugman, CEO of Communitech, stated, “The new Waterloo Region Campus Linked Accelerator adds a new dimension to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem — giving students direct access to the support and resources they need to be successful. This is a tremendous addition to our local technology ecosystem.”