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Carleton launches new program for entrepreneurs

Carleton University is setting a gold standard for entrepreneurship education. Carleton Entrepreneurs is a unique program that offers participants access to specialized expertise and support to help transform their business ideas into successful ventures, while strengthening Ottawa’s thriving business community.

This new program is a gateway to a range of offerings such as training, mentorship, funding, tools and support for young entrepreneurs. With more than $5 million from various funding and university-driven activities invested in entrepreneurship activities, Carleton has helped spin off more than 150 different businesses since 2009.

“Carleton is leading the way in entrepreneurship,” said organizer Tony Bailetti, who holds faculty appointments in Carleton’s Department of Systems and Computer Engineering and the Sprott School of Business. “Our goal is to make sure that every student has access to the support and expertise to bring them from an idea to a viable, successful business.”

Building on the success of programs like Lead to Win, Carleton Entrepreneurs is a single point of access to all the entrepreneurship-focused programs available at Carleton. It was developed to ensure that each student gets the chance to move their ideas into compelling business opportunities and successful ventures. It puts the students in front of potential investors, allowing them to pitch their business ideas and get feedback in a rigorous vetting process.

One of the programs that can be accessed through Carleton Entrepreneurs is Ottawa Young Entrepreneurs. A joint program between Carleton University, Algonquin College, La Cité collégiale and the University of Ottawa, the program supports students and recent grads as they launch and grow companies. It has received $1 million from the Ontario Centres of Excellence.

Carleton also introduced two entrepreneurship academic programs this fall through the Sprott School of Business: the Bachelor of Commerce with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, and a Minor in Entrepreneurship.

“Every student at Carleton has the opportunity to take a minor in entrepreneurship no matter what their degree program is,” said Jerry Tomberlin, dean of Sprott. “The practicums bring together students from a wide range of academic backgrounds to not only create innovative enterprises but also implement them.”