Learn the basics to launch your business or initiative and create a meaningful impact.
The University of Ottawa's Entrepreneurship Hub
and Venture Initiative presents
BECOME A
BOOTCAMP
CHANGE MAKER
MAKE A LIVING MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
(Yep, it's possible!)
OVERVIEW
Want to make a difference in the world? The Become a Change Maker Bootcamp may be the perfect fit for YOU! This program has been shaped with social, environmental and cultural disruptors in mind. The next edition will be delivered as such: each morning of the winter 2021 reading week.
Our program will provide you with a solid foundation and know-how to turn your idea into a positive impact. Through activities and workshops centered on creating value, conducting needs assessments, promoting your initiative and measuring impact – you will be equipped and ready to challenge the status quo. Start your own non-profit, project, program or venture, and spark change!
Still undecided? We support and value our Change Makers and will provide each participant with $500 grant to help YOU move your idea forward. Grants will be remitted once you have completed all four sessions and can only be granted to Canadian citizen and Permanent Residents.
*This program is made possible because of the Desjardins Fund for Entrepreneurial Initiative*
HOW IT WORKS
01
REVIEW
Read through all of the information about the program!
02
APPLY
If this is the right fit for you, fill out our application form. You have until Wednesday, February 10 at 12 PM to complete the application. We will let you know within two business days of your submitting your application whether or not you have been selected.
03
REGISTER
Once you have been accepted, we will send you another form to complete your registration!
04
PREPARE
The program starts at 10 AM on Tuesday, February 16 (which for most students is reading week!). We will send you all of the information you need to get started the Friday before!
05
ENJOY
Enjoy the program!
IMPACT AREAS
EDUCATION
HEALTH & WELLNESS
SUSTAINABILITY
...
AND MORE
AGENDA
Tuesday, February 16
10 AM - 12:30 PM
DAY 01
HOW DO I CREATE CHANGE?
To kick off the week, you will hear from a group of change makers who are making a difference! Each of our panelists will talk about how they got started, the type of change they are making and what they recommend as your first steps. Learn from those that have been in your place before and come with lots of questions!
HOW DO I PLAN OUT MY IDEA?
This first workshop will help you think about all of the different elements that go into developing your idea. We will be using a tool called the Social Business Model Canvas, which will help you map out all of your thoughts on how your idea will create change. This workshop will be delivered by Kathleen Kemp, the Manager of the Entrepreneurship Hub!
Wednesday, February 17
10 AM - 12 PM
DAY 02
HOW DO I KNOW MY IDEA WILL WORK?
This workshop is all about testing your ideas! Your business model will force you to make assumptions about the social impact you want to make and how you will make that impact. This workshop will walk you through techniques on how to validate your idea and understand the need you are trying to solve.
Thursday, February 18
10 AM - 12 PM
DAY 03
HOW DO I FUND MY PROJECT?
Now that you have an idea, you are probably wondering how you can get money for your project! This workshop will outline a number of ways to fund your project. Grant writing is also a very common activity for people who own social ventures. We’ll walk you through the basics of going through a grant application and tips and tricks for you to win that grant!
Friday, February 19
10 AM - 12 PM
DAY 04
HOW TO GET STARTED?
Now that you have mapped out your idea, you’re probably wondering how you get started? This workshop will you set goals and create a plan for achieving those goals. By the end of this workshop, you will have outlined your first steps to becoming a Change Maker!
In order to participate, you must be:
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A current student at the University of Ottawa
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Able to participate in all four workshops the week of February 16
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February 16 from 10 AM - 12:30 PM
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February 17 from 10 AM - 12 PM
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February 18 from 10 AM - 12 PM
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February 19 from 10 AM - 12 PM
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Have an idea for a venture rooted in a social, environmental or cultural cause and be able to clearly articulate it
To qualify for the $500 grant, you must meet the criteria above, plus be:
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A current undergraduate or master’s student at the University of Ottawa
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Either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a person with protected/refugee status
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Attend all workshops presented during the week
International students and PhD students can still participate, they are just not eligible for the grant.
SPEAKERS + MENTORS
Kathleen Kemp
Manager, Entrepreneurship Hub
SPEAKER
Fahd Alhattab
Entrepreneur in Residence, Venture Initiative
SPEAKER
Cassie Connor
Founder, Warrior Yoga
FIELD EXPERT
Kim Kirton
Founder, UnCo.
MENTOR
Alida Burke
Co-Founder, The Growcer
MENTOR
Gina Babec
Head of Programs and Partnerships, Impact Hub
SPEAKER
FAQ
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Why would I not be accepted into the program?A student would not be accepted into the program if they do not meet the eligibility criteria. We will be looking for: If you are a student at the University of Ottawa If your idea is rooted in a social, environmental or cultural cause If your application is filled out including all of the important information
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What are you looking for in an application?We want to make sure you have started to think of an idea and have put some thought into what your project could look like. You will get the most out of the program if you have thought about what you are going to do and how it will make a difference.
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What will I be learning in the program?Each day has a different theme! We want to give you the foundational information you need to get started and provide you with some guidance on how to take your first steps! You can check out all of the programming by clicking here.
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I am working over reading week so can only make it to two of the workshops. Can I still participate?Yes, you can still participate. However, you would not be eligible for the grant if you cannot make it to all four workshops.
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How will you be tracking attendance?We will be taking a screenshot of who is on the call multiple times throughout each day. If someone is not there for the majority of them, they will be identified as “absent” and will not be eligible for the grant.
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How will the program be delivered?We will be using MS Teams for all program delivery! You will also have access to a shared drive with lots of resources and information to use! You will have lifetime access to both our MS Teams portal and our Google Drive!