Business 101

Are you ready to transform your innovative ideas into action? Business 101 is offered in an exclusive collaboration with YELL Canada, a registered Canadian charity dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. Rather than just reading about business, you will learn the core concepts of lean entrepreneurship, design thinking, and resiliency. This course challenges you to identify real-world problems and build viable, sustainable business models to solve them.

What You'll Experience

This course breaks away from traditional instruction to provide an immersive, incubator-style environment:

• Inspiring Industry Connections — Build authentic connections with the local business community. A diverse selection of inspiring community leaders and entrepreneurs will visit the class to share their stories, failures, and successes.
• Incubator Environment — Participate in business incubator workshops and develop the resiliency needed to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic economy.
• Pitch & Case Competitions — Put your ideas to the test by competing in business pitch and case study competitions, defending your concepts to real business leaders.
• Hands-On Frameworks — Use professional tools like the Business Model Canvas to map out, test, and pivot your business ideas in real-time.

Projects & Assignments

You will compile your learning into hands-on projects designed to simulate a real startup experience:

• The Business Model Canvas — Develop a comprehensive, living blueprint for a new venture, outlining everything from your target customer segments to your revenue streams.
• Venture Pitch Presentation — Work collaboratively to build a startup concept and pitch it "Dragon's Den" style to a panel of peers and community leaders.
• Financial Projections Portfolio — Build a realistic financial forecast for your venture, proving its profitability and sustainability to potential investors.