May 22, 2008
Vancouver, British Columbia
Young entrepreneurs will benefit from federal funding to support Simon Fraser University's Student Business Incubator Program, which provides students with the necessary training and tools to successfully launch their own companies.
Funding of more than $400,000 was announced today by Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood-Port Kells, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"New graduates and young entrepreneurs are crucial to building a competitive business climate," said MP Grewal. "Through this program, we are building on the entrepreneurial ambitions of today's youth, who will undoubtedly make important contributions to their local communities."
Funding will provide industry mentoring, small business consulting, entrepreneurship training, capital options for seed funding, and access to on campus office space. The program will be physically located at the SFU Surrey Campus and will enrol both full and part-time students.
"Surrey is a city for the future, and SFU's Surrey campus is an ideal location for this innovative program which crosses academic disciplines," said Joanne Curry, Executive Director of SFU Surrey. "This program and the support of the local business and financial community will help us to nurture knowledge-based new ventures for the benefit of the BC economy."
Composed of six faculties across three campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver and Surrey, Simon Fraser University supports excellence and innovation in academic programs, promotes excellence in research, scholarship and teaching and is committed to attracting and supporting the best students. SFU currently has over 25,000 students and 90,000 alumni, and more than 700 tenure-track faculty.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Kathy Liu
Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Tel: (604) 666-7542
Cell: (604) 671-0273
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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