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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Building Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit Certificate Program

Overview:

The mission of Brilliant Catalyst is to build a community of experts, influencers, entrepreneurs and advisors to fuel innovative change and put more Canadian ventures on the map. That’s why we focus on cultivating top talent. We believe the creativity and diversity that’s within the walls at Ontario Tech University can accelerate the success of ventures in our community. From aggressive deadlines to the need to pivot and be agile, we understand the challenges organizations face and can help you overcome them.

The Building Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit program provides the basics of entrepreneurship allowing you to develop a new business idea within an existing organization or as a separate startup. At the end of the program, participants will be asked to pitch their idea using the various techniques and concepts taught throughout the course.

You can also enhance this program with one-on-one support with experienced entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial service providers with the Using Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit add-on and/or by participating in the Pitch competition.

Options: 
  • Register for full program (i.e. all required elements) and receive a formal certificate upon successful completion; or
  • Register for any individual class(es) to best suit your training needs.

Registration closed

 

Who should attend?

You may use the knowledge and skills developed through this program to prepare yourself for entrepreneurial, innovation and problem solving positions, such as:

  • aspiring entrepreneurs, specifically those in the ideation or validation stage;
  • employees responsible for creation and conceptualization of new products;
  • small business owners; and
  • those looking to expand their business skill set.

What you'll learn

In this program, you will learn:

  • the basics on entrepreneurship;
  • how to approach problems with an entrepreneurial mindset; and
  • how to apply concepts and tools such as validation, ideation, design thinking, market research, and business model canvas.

Required elements

Complete all ten courses listed here to receive a formal certificate, or choose any individual class(es) to best suit your training needs:

  • Intro to Entrepreneurship
    Introduction course that provides discussion on ideation best practices, myths associated with entrepreneurship and a deep dive into the entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Problem Validation
    Learn about the basics on how to identify and validation the problem your startup is trying to solve.
  • Intro to Business Model Canvas
    Providing participants with an introduction to a key tool of developing a venture.
  • Design Thinking
    Introduction to Design Thinking and the associated methodologies involved. Participants will also dive deeper into the design thinking process.
  • Goal Setting
    Participants will be provided with the basics on setting goals as founders to achieve maximum success.
  • Working in a Professional Environment and Networking Skills
    Learn about tools used to interview and network in a professional environment.
  • Bare Legal and IP Necessities
    Covering the basics about legalities related to a business including incorporation, NDAs, shareholder agreements, intellectual property protection.
  • Spectrum of Financing
    Learning about funding opportunities available for founders. Participants will dive into the spectrum of financing and which source is appropriate when.
  • Sales and Negotiation
    Exposure to a contract and go how to set up the contract with a client – negotiation aspect.
    Learn the basic fundamentals of selling as a startup founder. This session introduces and dives into the “do’s” and “don’ts” of selling.
  • Intro to Pitching
    Learn about the basics of communicating your business’ value proposition in both a formal and informal environment.
To be determined.
Each participant will be asked to work on a start-up idea throughout the duration of the program. Applying the material to a particular idea is key to truly understanding the concepts.  For those working for a company this start-up idea might solve an issue that the company is facing.  At the end of the program, participants will be asked to pitch their idea using the various techniques and concepts taught throughout the course. If participants are not able to generate an idea they can ask for assistance.
Registration is open to all!

COVID-19 update: All Continuous Learning sessions are being offered online until further notice. Online participation instructions will be emailed to registered learners before the start on their courses/workshops. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.

Online course delivery is a synchronous format. This means you must attend the virtual class at the specified date and time.

Zoom will be used for online delivery of this program to support interaction and engagement.

This course includes, but is not limited to:

  • Content presentations;
  • Group and individual work;
  • Concept and topic discussions; and
  • Topic reflections.
Online learning requirements:
  • Computer with internet access
  • Stable internet or data connection
  • Microphone
  • Webcam
  • Audio device (examples: speakers, headphones/earbuds, headset)
There are no additional materials required for this program. Supplementary materials (e.g. slides) will be provided to registrants following the session.

Fees

Full program*: $1300 CDN for ten (10) classes + HST 
*includes University Certificate upon successful completion of all required elements

Individual class: $150 CDN per individual class + HST

Discounts

The Alumni/Staff Discount applies to registration in this full program and these individual classes.

If you are alumni or staff, contact continuouslearning@ontariotechu.ca with your Student/Banner ID before registering for details about how to apply this discount.

Regsitration

Registration is closed.

You can register for this course through the secure online registration form. All class/program fees must be paid at the time of registration.

To obtain the University Certificate the participant must:
  • Register and make full payment for the certificate option;
  • Attend each required online class;
  • Actively participant in components of each online class; and
  • Successfully complete any assigned work.
Those completing the Building Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit program or any of its individual classes are subject the policies of Ontario Tech University and Continuous Learning. Ontario Tech policies can be found in the Policy library. Continuous Learning policies can be found in the Regulations section of the Continuous Learning website. Specifically, those completing the Building Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit program or any of its individual classes are expected to adhere to the the General and Open enrolment regulations.

Using Your Entrepreneurship Toolkit add-on

This add-on builds on the entrepreneurial toolkit to provide you with the resources and knowledge to succeed in the start-up world. A guest lecturer will orient you to the large entrepreneurial ecosystem available in the region and the GTA and introduce you to the wide array of support and resources that exist to support entrepreneurs in Ontario. This add-on will also include 2 one-on-one sessions with experienced entrepreneurs / entrepreneurial service providers to help guide and advise the further development of the participant’s start-up idea. 

Registration for this add-on includes entry in the Pitch Competition.

Check out this add-on

Pitch Competition

Apply all of the concepts taught throughout this program and add-on to pitch your start-up idea to a panel of experienced mentors and entrepreneurs. 

Check out this add-on

Social Selling (LinkedIn)

This specialized 3-hour workshop focuses on using social media to enhance sales through building meaningful connections with quintessential professionals. You will be able to create optimized LinkedIn profiles, connect meaningfully with other professionals, and convert these connections into mutually beneficial business opportunities with the knowledge gained in this workshop. 

Check out this program

Personal Branding (LinkedIn)

Enhance your job prospecting, networking and social selling with an optimized LinkedIn presence! This specialized 1.5-hour workshop focuses on understanding your online presence and building your personal LinkedIn profile. You will be able to address your personal and specific LinkedIn needs with the knowledge gained in this workshop. 

Check out this program


Want more? Check out these offerings!

Program add-on

You can add these offerings to the Building Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit program to enhance your experience:

Using Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit

Using Your Entrepreneurial Toolkit

Add this feature to enhance your program with one-on-one support from experienced entrepreneurs / entrepreneurial service providers!
Pitch Competition

Pitch Competition

Test the skills you learn in this program by competing with other entrepreneurs in this pitch competition with a $500 prize!

Other related programs

Social Selling (LinkedIn)

Social Selling (LinkedIn)

Learn how to connect and network on LinkedIn in a way that can convert your connections into mutually beneficial business opportunities in this 3-hour workshop.
Personal Branding (LinkedIn)

Personal Branding (LinkedIn)

Build an optimized LinkedIn profile in this 1.5-hour workshop that can help you better connect and network with potential partners and clients.

 Registration Status
Closed

Location
Online*

*All Continuous Learning sessions are being offered online until further notice. Online participation instructions will be emailed to registered learners before the start of their courses. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.

 Date
TBD

Credential
Certificate

 Fees
Full program**: $1300 CDN for 10 classes + HST
**includes University Certificate upon successful completion of all required elements

or

Individual classes: $150 CDN per individual class + HST

Contact Information: continuouslearning@ontariotechu.ca