In recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week, taking place November 13 to 17, Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) would like to highlight the first-ever Young Entrepreneurs in Action Pilot Project that took place in semester two of the 2022-2023 school year.
The pilot invited Grade 9 to 12 students to work with teachers and community members to design innovative business ideas and work through the business development process.
Students from each secondary school were then selected to pitch their business at the TLDSB Entrepreneurs in Action Pitch Showcase on May 12 held at the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theater. Over $10,000 in seed-money was awarded to successful teams to start their businesses. Examples of successful projects included mobile welding and car detailing, a robotic parts paton, upcycling furniture, and blue light glasses through an ecommerce platform. The top two businesses from the showcase were invited to participate in the Provincial Junior Achievement Showcase on May 16. TLDSB students presented their entrepreneurial project and received feedback from well-recognized Ontario entrepreneurs, as well as learned about being an entrepreneur in a variety of economic sectors.
“The Young Entrepreneurs in Action showcased a diversified number of businesses,” explained Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School teacher, Kelly Creasor. “It was exciting to see students recognize a need in the community, set to work creating a business plan, and demonstrate action to make their business a reality. TLDSB waged a level of support to bring monetary contribution to these entrepreneurial dreams.”
“My experience was great and I learned a lot doing it, especially from the other student entrepreneurs and from the judges,” said a Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute student who took part in the project. “It was the first time in school that I felt connected to learning. It was like I was part of my education and it wasn’t just happening to me.”
TLDSB is happy to announce that the Board has received the Young Entrepreneurs in Action funding again this school year from the Ministry of Education and will be running the pilot project again in semester two. Information will be shared with secondary schools later this week.
