Entrepreneurial Skills Development for Trent University Students

$100 Start‑Up Project – Real‑World Startup Experience

Trent’s third‑year Entrepreneurship course includes a hands‑on $100 Start‑Up project. Students form teams, invest a modest budget, and launch a business for a month. This exercise forces participants to tackle marketing, finance, operations, and customer discovery in a compressed timeline, sharpening strategic thinking and resilience.

During the month teams pitch to local investors, refine value propositions, and respond to real‑time feedback. The close monitoring of a budget and a live product gives graduates confidence that they can navigate the uncertainties of a startup environment.

Explore Trent’s Entrepreneurship Program and learn how the $100 Start‑Up project can fast‑track your career skills.

Create Centre for Entrepreneurship – A Hub for Ideation and Innovation

The Centre for Entrepreneurship provides students with dedicated spaces, workshops, and access to industry mentors. Ideation labs help transform concepts into viable business models, while mentorship sessions offer guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs.

Students collaborate across disciplines, building cross‑functional teams that mirror the diverse expertise needed in today’s business world. The Centre’s network connects students with local businesses, fostering internships, partnerships, and real‑world problem‑solving projects.

Gzowski College Entrepreneurship & Innovation Micro‑credential – Structured Learning with Mentorship

This credit‑bearing micro‑credential is open to all undergraduates. Through a mix of workshops, case studies, and a “Mentor Match” program, students receive one‑on‑one support from local entrepreneurs.

Participants not only learn market research and business planning but also develop lasting relationships with regional business leaders. The outcome is a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and a clear pathway into the job market.

Business Innovators Challenge – Pitching Solutions to Real Market Problems

In this competition, teams develop presentations for authentic business challenges. Guidance from academic and industry mentors enables them to craft market‑relevant solutions, prototype ideas, and articulate clear value propositions.

Judging panels comprised of faculty and local business leaders deliver constructive feedback and award cash prizes to the most compelling concepts. The Challenge simulates a startup accelerator experience, preparing students for future roles that demand creativity and analytical rigor.

Read more about the Business Innovators Challenge and consider building your own solution team.

Take the Next Step – Build Your Entrepreneurial Edge

Whether you’re contemplating a major in Business Administration or looking for extracurricular ways to sharpen your skills, Trent University offers a range of programs and activities designed to bring theory into practice.

Engage with the university’s entrepreneurial community, join a team, and start building the career impact you aspire to achieve.