University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) is delivering a new student founder-in-residence (SFiR) pilot program to connect the U of T community with student and recent alumni startup founders. Sharing their experiences navigating the university’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, Student Founders-in-Residence are equipped to address topics such as networking, finding co-founders, mentorship, pitching, public speaking, balancing ventures and school, EDI, and general business advice on a range of topics.
Three SFiRs have been selected to serve a two-month term during the 2022-23 academic year, offering virtual office hours to help their student peers across the tri-campus to develop their ideas.
Each SFiR will plan a minimum of one event during their tenure to address some aspect of business planning, networking, team building, work-life balance, EDI, pitching/public speaking, or similar topic to be determined.
Meet the SFiR
UTL’s first resident, Kasey Dunn, is offering weekly virtual office hours to all U of T students, faculty, and staff through September and October. Whether you’re starting a company or just passionate about making a difference, she wants to hear from you.
Bring your questions on topics such as:
- Networking, finding co-founders, mentorship
- Pitching and public speaking
- Balancing ventures and school
- Social innovation and general business planning
Kasey Dunn, Co-founder, Hope Pet Foods
Kasey Dunn is a current PhD student in Higher Education at OISE, with a research focus on the role of post-secondary institutions in the innovation ecosystem, and entrepreneurial education for the empowerment of equity-deserving groups. A serial social entrepreneur herself, she supports change-makers from the Humber College community through programs and advising at the Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship. Kasey holds a Masters of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University. Find out more about Kasey on her LinkedIn page.