New Venture Program – Young Entrepreneur Scholarship

The New Venture Program (NVP) connects academics with experience. It is a rigorous program that involves the completion of several training modules, sessions with our team of mentors, and collaboration with U of T students in the classroom. Students are supported in the creation of a comprehensive business plan, investor deck, and go-to-market strategy.

Apply for a Young Entrepreneur Scholarship (YES) in-course award of up to $7,500 in financial support.

The Young Entrepreneur Scholarship (YES) is a new award generously donated by Viral Nation CEO Joe Gagliese. Read more about Joe and his motivation to support student entrepreneurs.

Awards will be split among participants in the New Venture Program, open to any student across each of the University of Toronto’s three campuses. YES recipients will be invited to participate in an annual YES Entrepreneurial Retreat. In-course awards will be renewable, contingent on participation in the annual YES Entrepreneurial Retreat, as well as continued enrolment in the New Venture Program, to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis through a committee review process. To qualify, students must be eligible to enrol in courses. The program admits approximately 20 students per year. A preference will be made for domestic students, although special consideration can be made for International students. Eligibility for awards will be capped at four years. 

Learn more and apply by January 15, 2023.

NVP entrepreneurs sharpen their analysis, planning and management skills throughout the program. Through access to hands-on resources and support from others who have built rewarding careers as entrepreneurs, students develop best practices for developing and running an early-stage company, and practice the skills needed to build a great business. The program includes the following training modules:

• Self-Assessment
• Value Creation and Exchange
• Validation Through Research
• Product and Service Design
• Supply Analysis
• Financial Considerations for the New Venture
• Writing Your Business Plan
• Pitching Your Business

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the NVP and the YES In-Course Awards, applicants must have completed one-half credit in an introduction to the business course (or a suitable equivalent with written approval from the admissions committee), and they are required to submit a letter of interest.
 
This letter should include the following elements:

• Motivations for joining the program
• A brief summary of the business concept
• Description of the current state of the business, based on the following general stages:

– Concept under development

– Initial business plan complete

– Prototype complete

– Initial product complete

– Generating revenue
 

Candidates may then be chosen to participate in an interview with members of the admissions committee. Successful candidates will then be notified about their admission into the program.