Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference provides opportunity to learn from peers, business leaders
February 17, 2015 – Halifax, N.S. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Over 150 Canadian student entrepreneurs will come together in Halifax this week as part of the Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference, hosted by the Sobey School Business Development Centre at Saint Mary’s University, thanks in part to an investment from the Government of Canada.
The conference, which takes place February 18 to 20, 2015, aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by post-secondary students who run their own business while still in school, and to provide them with the specific knowledge, access to networks, and business advice they need to grow their businesses and to become successful entrepreneurs. Seventy percent of the students expected to attend the conference are from the Atlantic region.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, is contributing $53,990 to the Sobey School Business Development Centre to support the Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference.
Quick Facts:
- The Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference will take place in the McNally Theatre Auditorium on the Saint Mary’s University campus in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- During the event, participants will have the opportunity to share best practices; showcase their businesses; learn from young local and national business leaders by participating in Master Classes; pitch business ideas during Funder Speed Dating sessions; compete and solve problems during the Ideation Tournament; and increase their ability to attract and secure investment through an Investment Readiness Program.
- The Sobey School Business Development Centre at Saint Mary’s University is a not-for-profit organization focused on business development within Atlantic Canada and beyond. The Centre provides assistance to businesses and non-governmental organizations in business research, planning and implementation.
- According to the 2013 BMO (Bank of Montreal) Student Survey, nearly half of Atlantic Canadian post-secondary students surveyed — 42 percent — intend to start their own business after graduation.
Quotes:
“Our Government’s top priority is to create jobs, growth and long-term economic prosperity. That is why we are pleased to support the Sobey School of Business’ efforts to guide young entrepreneurs as they navigate the business world. This conference helps our region’s young entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge and expertise they need to successfully create and grow their own businesses, helping to create a stronger, more prosperous Atlantic Canada.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Starting Point brings together student entrepreneurs from post-secondary institutions across Canada to share best practices, hear amazing speakers and learn from experts in their field. This year’s theme is innovation and we hope to encourage and inspire students to ‘think big’ and develop revolutionary ideas while sharing their business ideas and working with like-minded students and business professionals to broaden their knowledge enabling youth to create sustainable businesses in their own communities.”
- Kaitlyn Touesnard, Conference Manager, Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Jennifer Goostrey
Manager, Client Services
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-229-0295
jennifer.goostrey@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Kaitlyn Touesnard
Conference Manager
Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference
Sobey School Business Development Centre
902-491-6522
Kaitlyn.Touesnard@smu.ca
