Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre will continue to deliver resources aimed at fostering and supporting entrepreneurship
August 27, 2014 – Wolfville, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre, an affiliate of Acadia University, has provided entrepreneurial programs for students, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and business professionals for over 25 years through advisory, training, and innovation and incubation services. The Centre offers programming such as the E-Certificate, Business Counselling Essentials and financial analysis. The Centre is dedicated to building links and fostering an entrepreneurial culture between Acadia University and the surrounding region. As well, as part of its effort to encourage entrepreneurship on the university campus, the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre manages Acadia University’s Innovation and Incubation Centre, located at Patterson Hall.
The Government of Canada is investing $350,000 in the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre through ACOA’s Business Development Program, as announced today by the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA), for operational funding and program implementation.
This investment will allow the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre to continue promoting entrepreneurship and delivering programming to stakeholders, including programs and activities related to Acadia’s new Sandbox Initiative.
Part of a province-wide collaboration between universities, the Nova Scotia Community College and multi levels of government, the Sandbox will be hosted by the Centre on behalf of Acadia University. The initiative is designed to promote innovation and business start-ups on university campuses. Sandbox activities will include pitch competitions, summer accelerator programming, a speaker series and the Entrepreneurship Certificate.
Quick Facts:
- The Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre was incorporated in 1989 and is a non-profit affiliated and based at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
- The Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre Innovation and Incubation Services is home to the Atlantic Wine Institute, the Tidal Energy Institute and the Data Analytics Institute.
- The Sandbox Initiative was announced earlier this year by the Government of Nova Scotia. Its department of Labour and Advanced Education has made a $150,000 investment in this project.
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to support the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre as it continues to work with entrepreneurs and deliver key initiatives such as the APEC Certified Business Counsellor Program and business incubation services. The Centre’s new Sandbox Initiative will play a key role in the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region by giving young entrepreneurs an opportunity to create the essential link between research investment and industrial benefit.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Ray Ivany’s One Nova Scotia report highlighted the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in moving the province forward. This region, along with Acadia University, has a long history and successful record when it comes to innovation. The launch of an Entrepreneur Sandbox at Acadia will help Nova Scotians, and more specifically Nova Scotian youth, to create even more successes.”
- The Honourable Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education
“The Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre has been assisting students and entrepreneurs in the community for many years and is pleased to be able to continue to deliver its programming thanks to ACOA’s assistance and that of the Government of Nova Scotia. We are excited to be able to deliver additional programming through the Sandbox Initiative and provide targeted programs that will help inspire our entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
- Findlay MacRae, Executive Director, Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417/902-830-3839 (cell)
Email: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Chrissy Matheson
Government of Nova Scotia
902-424-0281/902-219-3121 (cell)
E-mail: mathescl@gov.ns.ca
Findlay MacRae
Executive Director
Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre
902-585-1889 / 902-698-2467 (cell)
Email: Findlay.Macrae@acadiau.ca
