From left to right: Todd Smith, MPP, Prince Edward Hastings; Martin Croteau, Director, Academic Entrepreneurship, Ontario Centres of Excellence; College President and CEO Maureen Piercy; Dianne Spencer, Executive Director of College Advancement & External Relations; Lou Rinaldi, MPP, Northumberland-Quinte West; Brian Smith, Chair, Board of Governors, Loyalist College
Lou Rinaldi, MPP, Northumberland-Quinte West spoke on behalf of The Honourable Reza Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Belleville, Ontario, January 15, 2015 – Loyalist College is pleased to work with provincial partners, local business leaders, and investors to deliver a new one-year post-graduate program in Entrepreneurial Studies.
Loyalist College’s Entrepreneurial Studies — Business Launch program receives support from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), a member of Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE), with a $196,712 On-Campus Entrepreneurship Activities (OCEA) grant. Key program delivery partners include local entrepreneurs and the Regional Innovation Centre – Launch Lab.
The Entrepreneurial Studies — Business Launch program is accepting applications for September 2015. Students in the eight-month post-graduate program will work side by side in a living lab, creating their start-up ventures under the guidance of business advisors and mentors. At the end of the program, students will present their launch-ready start-up proposals to an audience of media, prospective investors, customers, and potential business partners.
Interested applicants can learn more about the program by calling 613-969-1913 ext. 2294, emailing esbl@loyalistc.on.ca or visiting loyalistcollege.com.
Quotes
“Fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among students is a key component of Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy, through programs that help transfer their ideas and skills to the marketplace while creating rewarding careers. By partnering with colleges and universities to support entrepreneurship, we are ensuring our province’s business leaders of tomorrow are getting the support they need to succeed today.”
- Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation
“Ontario Centres of Excellence is pleased to be able to support this initiative as a trusted partner of the Government of Ontario. Our years of experience in connecting academia and industry, and our ongoing support of entrepreneurs in Ontario, will be put to good use in making this initiative a success.”
- Tom Corr, President and CEO, Ontario Centres of Excellence
“We’re gratified to have such enthusiastic support from the business community and our provincial government partners in this initiative. This is an extraordinary opportunity for budding entrepreneurs, who will gain access to experienced business mentors, the applied knowledge to put their plans into action and the opportunity to win over investors to take them across the finish line.”
- Loyalist College President and CEO Maureen Piercy
“Developing the next generation of entrepreneurs is key to the future economic success of Belleville and the surrounding area. I congratulate Loyalist College and the local business community for partnering through the On-Campus Entrepreneurial Activities program. Their partnership will give student entrepreneurs the experience and skills they need to succeed.”
- Lou Rinaldi, MPP (Northumberland-Quinte West)
“The entire team at Launch Lab is very excited to support not only the start-up of high-growth global companies within the Bay of Quinte region, but also the development of student entrepreneurs who represent the future of business for Canada.”
- Michael Mann, CEO, Launch Lab
“In order for the Quinte region to have a future that is inspiring, it has to be one where we foster our own economic opportunities. Entrepreneurs do that. They create energy, they produce jobs and they generate wealth.”
- Mark Hanley, President, Hanley Corporation
About the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs
Funded by the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) is Ontario’s innovation system. The ONE is made up of regional and sector-focused organizations designed to help Ontario-based entrepreneurs rapidly grow their companies, and create jobs. For more information visit oneinnovation.ca.
About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Internationally renowned for its enriched student learning and living experiences, Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior success services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and more than 500 online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing and Communications,
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536