See the original story at http://www.smu.ca/academics/sobey/blogs/blogentries/flightexpert.html
Building the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem... on Facebook
See the original story at http://www.smu.ca/academics/sobey/blogs/blogentries/ns-startup-community.html
Saint Mary’s takes a close second in New England venture capital competition
Premier Stephen McNeil acknowledges Saint Mary's team during 2018 State of the Province Address: "You demonstrated to us what's possible."
A team of Sobey School of Business graduate and undergraduate students took second place in the Venture Capital Investment Competition (New England region), held in Boston.
On February 2, the Saint Mary’s students joined teams from MIT, Babson, Yale, Rochester and Dartmouth in evaluating three entrepreneur’s pitches, and completing a term sheet describing which they would invest in, and why.
Finalists Saint Mary’s and Rochester then negotiated with their entrepreneur. Industry professionals judged the competition based on the quality of analysis and insight and the calibre of the final deal. The final judging was 6/6, meaning Saint Mary’s had tied with Rochester. To determine a winner, the judges referred back to initial discussions with the entrepreneurs, which gave Rochester the edge.
The students who competed were chosen from Saint Mary’s venture capital program and the multi-university Venture Grade student venture capital fund. Competing were Findlay Hilchie and Anu Gupta, from the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation program; Stephanie Fitzner, BComm; and David Hatcher and Avi Chandrapati of the MBA program. Stu Clow (MBA) was the shadow.
In March, Sobey School will host the Canadian VCIC at Saint Mary’s University.
Recognition is accorded to team coach Ellen Farrell and local business leaders who helped the students prepare: Rob Barbara, Build Ventures; Andrew Ray, Innovacorp; and Chris Legg, Progress Partners of Boston and CENE member.
Sobey School of Business MBA program recognized for quality
QS, a global career and education network, has released its worldwide ranking of the top MBA programs. Saint Mary’s University’s Sobey School of Business MBA program ranked #10 in Canada and in the top 200 internationally.
QS rankings are based on three surveys: a global academic survey, a global employer survey and a survey completed by universities. Institutions are rated on performance in categories of Employability, ROI, Entrepreneurship and Alumni Outcomes, Thought Leadership and Diversity. Learn more about their methodology here.
Sobey scored 3rd in diversity, 6th in ROI and 9th in entrepreneurship and alumni success in the Canadian list. The school ranked 44th in the world for diversity. Other universities on the list include Toronto, Western, McGill, York, Queen’s, HEC Montreal, UBC, University of Alberta and Simon Fraser.
Dean Patricia Bradshaw
“We are proud that the Sobey School of Business offers world-class education, and we remain committed to making an impact with purpose,” said Dean Patricia Bradshaw. “We are particularly proud of this recognition of our diversity.”
“One of our key strengths is our faculty members’ diversity and the way they set the tone for international and domestic students working together, collaboratively and inclusively.”
The Sobey MBA program, redesigned in 2015, incorporates immersive experiences such as local service and an international trip that offers students cross-cultural opportunities to experience and learn global business up close. The well-respected program has been graduating students for more than 40 years.
QS is a global organization that links students with higher education institutions. They host well-attended and known MBA recruitment events, and have staff offices throughout the world.
Research symposium discusses impacts of changing demographics in Atlantic Canada
A discussion on the future of work and housing in Atlantic Canada is underway today at Saint Mary’s University. The Impact of Demographic Shift on the Future of Work and Housing in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia perspective) is a one-day research symposium to discuss the future of work and housing in Atlantic Canada in light of the region's aging population.
Keynote speakers include:
- Simon D’Entremont, Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Seniors
- Dr. Suzanne Cook, York University
The event also features two panels of experts, who bring years of experience to the discussion.
Panel on the Future of Work
- Dr. Karen Foster, Dalhousie University
- Thomas Storring, Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury
- Jo-anne Stone, The Stone Group
- Ian MacDonald, Volunteer Chair CARP N.S.
- Moderator: Terry Murphy, Saint Mary’s University
Panel on the Future of Housing
- Dr. Martha MacDonald, Saint Mary’s University
- Jillian MacLellan, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Benjamin Nycum, Nycum William & Associates
- Kevin Hooper, United Way Halifax
- Moderator: Ian Munro, Halifax Partnership
Similar events are planned in NB, PEI, and NL. Based on the proceedings of these events, the Atlantic Research Group on Economics of Immigration, Aging, and Diversity will prepare a report to be released in the coming months.
Sino-Canadian Trade Summit at Saint Mary's
Trade experts, government officials, business executives and researchers came together on Thursday, November 16th, to discuss trade between China and Nova Scotia at Saint Mary’s University. The summit provided a platform for the exploration of trade and business relationships between Nova Scotia and China, as well as enhancing educational and cultural understanding.
Speakers and presenters included:
- Dr. Prof. Ye Jianmin, Dean of the School of Management, Xiamen University will attend as the designated representative of the President of Xiamen University
- Karen Oldfield, President & CEO, Halifax Port Authority
- Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University
- Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority
- William Allaway, CEO and Owner, Acadian Maple Products
- Ian Smith, CEO, Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
- Dr. Stephen Jones, CEO, 4Deep
The goals of the summit were to:
- Celebrate existing trade relations between Nova Scotia and China
- Explore ways to grow bilateral trade
- Build mutual understanding and cultural appreciation across cultures
Speakers included experts in international trade, Canadian and Chinese government representatives, and local business leaders with trade experience.
The Nova Scotia Sino-Canadian Trade Summit was a partnership between Saint Mary’s University, the Confucius Institute at Saint Mary’s University, and the Sobey School of Business.
ACOA Invests $300k into business growth and startup programming
See the original story at http://www.smu.ca/academics/sobey/bdc-funding-announcement-2017.html
SMU makes the podium at international portfolio competition
Saint Mary’s University is proud to recognize the great work of Stephanie Fitzner, Amaan Popatiya, Jarrett Leach, and Jordan Logan who made the podium in the prestigious 2017 McGill International Portfolio Challenge. This IMPACT team of undergraduate students ranked 3rd among more than 60 competing teams from universities including: Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California Berkeley and the University of Toronto.
In the presentation, the Saint Mary’s team had ten minutes to provide sound investment advice for a real-world challenge: how to rebalance the defined benefits pension plan of a lumber company in British Columbia. After a great presentation, the team finished in third place and received a $7500 prize.
The McGill International Portfolio Challenge is the first international competition targeting innovative portfolio design and asset management. It is truly unique in its mandate to shift the focus of academic competitions to the buy-side and to provide students with more visibility on opportunities therein. The challenge bridges the gap between students with a demonstrated interest in asset management and industry leaders.
To be considered for the competition, all teams had to evaluate a case study and submit their solution online. The top teams were selected to participate in a final round in person taking place at McGill University.
Every year the Saint Mary’s team greatly benefits from the volunteer coaching of Ross Hallett, from the Bank of Montreal. The team is directed by Dr. Najah Attig and supported by the Sobey School of Business.
Sobey School Business Development Centre offers coaching to help Atlantic companies grow and succeed
See the orginal story at http://www.smu.ca/academics/sobey/growth-coaching-program-announced.html
Retail innovation focus of new Saint Mary’s University partnership
Vince Kennedy and Ryan Jackson, co-founders of BluShll
Innovation and the future of the retail sector were the focus of an event at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market.
“Encouraging innovation is fundamental to the change our province needs,” said Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. “It is important for our entrepreneurs to have the supports in place to help take their ideas to the next level, and that we celebrate these successes.”
The event, held during National Retail Week, celebrates some of the early results of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Saint Mary’s University and the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market. The agreement established a retail space at the market called The Shelf, representing the first outpost of the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services’ Retail Imagination Lab.
“We established The Shelf to support our local producers and artisans,” said Julie Chaisson, executive director of the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market. “This partnership will allow us to extend our support into new areas of innovation and technology that may not otherwise have been possible.”
Retail innovations range widely, from data-informed store layouts to video shelf talkers and robot sales associates, to virtual reality online and interactive digital environments. The Shelf will provide a setting to carry out pilot projects in a controlled space, with researchers there to observe, record and analyze the results.
“Studying consumer behavior in a real retail setting is a daunting task, but our professors and students embrace this challenge,” said Saint Mary’s University president Robert Summerby-Murray. “Through our partnership with the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, we combine exceptional researchers with experts on local businesses in the retail sector to create an environment where innovation can take shape.”
BluShll, a student-led business from Saint Mary’s that helps shoppers quickly and easily learn more about the products they buy, recently tested their product at The Shelf. BluShll helps to satisfy the desire of the socially-conscious consumer for more information about where products are sourced and to learn more about the company that sells them.
“The Shelf was an amazing venue for us to test our product and hear directly from consumers,” said Ryan Jackson, co-founder of BluShll. “We received some great feedback from people visiting the market that will be instrumental in taking our product to the next level as we prepare to develop it to enter the market.”
Saint Mary’s launches new Innovative, Creative and Entrepreneurial Mindsets Fund, calls for proposals
Saint Mary’s University invites faculty, students and staff to develop activities, events, research and teaching to enhance creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking.
Successful proposals will be supported through the new Innovative, Creative and Entrepreneurial Mindsets Fund.
The learning outcomes that we aspire to have all students graduate with and that this fund will help develop are:
- Development of critical thinking skills and good judgement/discernment
- Ability to identify problems and seek opportunities through discovery and design thinking
- Capacity to cultivate new ideas and solve problems
- Courage to take a risk and resilience to deal with failure
- Aptitude to move to action and take advantage of opportunities/create social and economic value
- Self-reflection and ability to learn from both mistakes and successes
- Understanding of alternative ways of organizing (e.g. cooperatives, collectives, nonprofits, social enterprises, for-profits, start-ups)
Call for Proposals
Proposals are invited from individual Saint Mary's faculty, students and staff as well as from Departments, Programs, Societies and groups of individuals. The primary applicant must be a member of the Saint Mary’s University community. Applicants will provide a detailed plan including a budget (normally expected to be in the range of $1,000 to $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000/per application) with expected outcomes and agree to share what they learned in a seminar, published article and/or workshop. Applicants are encouraged to be creative in their approach and to wisely use the money they apply for. The budget is not to be used for course releases or for curriculum development activities that are a normal part of faculty teaching responsibilities.
Possible projects include everything from design thinking workshops for staff and students across the university to pitch competitions for IP that can be commercialized or a community of practice using critical thinking to address wicked problems. Note that this not funding for a start-up.
Submission of Applications for Funding and Deadline
Applications for funding are to be submitted electronically to donna.filek@smu.ca and must be received by 4 p.m. on October 31, 2017.
Enactus Saint Mary’s expand Square Roots Token Program before departure to Enactus World Cup
(Left to Right) King of Donair co-owner Nicholas Nahas; Basha Lebanese co-owner Chico Rashaydeh and his father, Khalas Rashaydeh; the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab; Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray; Ray's Lebanese Cuisine owner Hady Bahliss; and Enactus Saint Mary's co-presidents Meredith Drost and Valerie Caswell.
Enactus Saint Mary’s students are proving that business and social good can be one in the same. Enactus Saint Mary’s students created the Square Roots Token Program, which aims to help address food insecurity and reduce food waste in the province.
On Tuesday, September 19th, the newest restaurant to take part in their Square Roots Token Program was announced. King of Donair’s four locations on Quinpool Road, Lacewood Drive, Windmill Road and Sackville Drive, join pioneer restaurants Basha Lebanese on Inglis Street, Rys Mediterranean on Spring Garden Road, and Ray’s Lebanese Cuisine in Bayer’s Lake.
“I hate waste, especially when it comes to food which is why I was more than excited to join the Square Roots Token Program,” says Nicholas Nahas, co-owner of King of Donair. “I would love to see greater accessibility for the tokens and more businesses join so that food waste is not even a concern in the city. I believe in this the program and hope it succeeds not only as a business owner but as a graduate of Saint Mary's University.”
Two students holding the Square Roots tokens.
The program works by offering tokens for $5 which can be purchased and given to someone who is known or seen to be in need. The tokens are then redeemable by the recipient for a meal made from surplus food ingredients from partnering restaurants.
The announcement comes just ahead of the team’s departure for London, England, where they will pitch the Square Roots Token Program at the Enactus World Cup. The Enactus World Cup takes place from September 26-28, and will mark Enactus Saint Mary’s first time on the international stage.
“This is what we mean when we say Saint Mary’s students are citizens of the world,” says Saint Mary’s University President, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “It’s thinking how your day-to-day work and activities, even while you’re a student, can have a beneficial impact on others outside the university, community and indeed around the world.”
Enactus is the largest student leadership organization in the world, striving to solve environmental, social and economic issues through entrepreneurial action. With over 150 students involved on campus, Enactus Saint Mary’s is one of the chapters leading the charge on the national, and soon to be, international scale.
“Our Square Roots Token Program began in April 2017 and we are so excited about the amazing response and support that we have received from our partnering restaurants in Nova Scotia,” says Meredith Drost, Co-President of Enactus. “It is truly inspiring to see the passion to reduce food waste in our own community from our customers and partners. Our team is also thrilled to have the opportunity share our program with the world when we travel to the Enactus World Exposition next week in London, England. We would not be here today without the amazing support of Saint Mary's University, the Sobey School of Business and the Business Development Centre.”
The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab attended the event today on behalf of Labour and Advanced Education Minister Labi Kousoulis to celebrate the program’s latest achievements.
"We all know that government alone does not have all the answers to the challenges we face. We have to look to the community and the private sector to find solutions. When this happens, we witness a powerful force for change,” says Ms. Metlege Diab. "This new formula for success combines business acumen with social consciousness. It teaches us how human capital can be directed and best used. This will benefit our economy as a whole - and help us build a stronger Nova Scotia.”
As a show of support for the program, President Summerby-Murray said the University purchased 100 tokens to be delivered by the students to those in need.