The Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre Ignition Program provides students with an opportunity to learn from a diverse panel of mentors in the entrepreneurial world, allowing students a chance to see themselves as successful entrepreneurs. The 10-week program also provides students with access to training, resources and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Starting February 14, the Ignition Program will host a series of Black and Indigenous entrepreneurship events in their 10-week program. These events will highlight six local entrepreneur panellists over two days to share their real stories, challenges, and successes with aspiring entrepreneurs.
"Seeing yourself through these entrepreneur speakers is so important for our students," says Adam Khamis BComm'21, SMUEC Project Manager. "Nova Scotia is rich in diversity, and so is Saint Mary's. It's only right that our speakers represent that."
The Ignition Program hosted over 50 speaker series to more than 1,300 post-secondary students this past year. Student feedback has shown that including diversity in speaker experiences and business growth stages when learning about entrepreneurship helps them visualize themselves as successful entrepreneurs.
"I have learned a great deal from the various sessions that I have attended, and it's amazing to see the many ways in which these lessons apply to our everyday lives," says Sidney Nuwahereza, Saint Mary's student.
The Ignition program has a rolling registration, and students are encouraged to drop into relevant topics.
Black Entrepreneurship Panel
February 14, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. AST
Join SMUEC in hosting three incredible Black female entrepreneurs, Precious Octavious, Holly Adams and Tiffani Young. Listen to their unique entrepreneurial stories and how their resiliency and perseverance helped navigate a challenging career. Learn more.
Indigenous Entrepreneurship Panel
February 16, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. AST
Listen to the stories of Indigenous entrepreneurs Mariah Battiste and Elora Gehue, and the challenges and stigmas of entrepreneurship they’ve experienced throughout their careers. Learn more.