Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective - Conestoga Applied Research

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Entrepreneurship at Conestoga starts here

We equip members of the Conestoga community with the tools to pursue their entrepreneurship potential. Start a new business. Launch a freelance business. Join a high-growth company as a B2B sales professional.

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What we offer

Customized programs

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1:1 coaching

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Curated mentorship

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Community

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Testimonials

Field & Co | Gig Lab

"I decided to apply to Gig Lab because I was freelancing when I first graduated from school and it was kind of just like, really unsuccessful, because I didn't have a proper plan in place. I didn't have any supports or a mentor. And I was just kind of flying by the seat of my pants and doing whatever I wanted to do. So when I found the opportunity for Gig Lab, I wanted to apply because I wanted to be able to have some accountability and get a plan in place to be able to restart my freelance business in a strategic way.” -Kate Bradfield, freelance founder

Ezok | Venture Lab

“My time at the Conestoga Venture Lab has been an enlightening journey, filled with invaluable lessons on validation, networking, and leveraging professional data sources to accurately gauge my market size. The mentors, experts in their respective fields, came together periodically to refine and sharpen my investment and commercial pitches. They provided me with numerous opportunities to present my product, fostering a supportive environment that encouraged local initiatives. Coming from another country, this experience was particularly transformative for me, as it introduced me to opportunities I was previously unaware of. The Conestoga Venture Lab not only equipped me with the tools necessary for success but also broadened my perspective, making it an integral part of my entrepreneurial journey." -Henrique Bilbao, founder, Ezok

Erin Pickles | Sales Lab

“This is such an incredible program and I encourage anyone, experienced or new to sales, to seize this opportunity for not just your career growth and development -–but your personal growth too!”  -Erin Pickles

CEC impact

Fabbulist connects melanin women with beauty services

Melanin women are significant consumers of beauty services, but the industry isn't built for their specific needs. It is difficult, and at times, almost impossible, to find appropriate hair, make-up and skincare services nearby. Enter Fabbulist, an online platform that helps melanin women find beauty stylists that truly get their hair type and skin tone

Erin Pickles leans into tech sales

Taking a leap of faith, Erin joined the first Sales Lab cohort despite some reluctance as to whether sales was the right path for her. She was a dedicated single mom with experience in customer service, but tech sales would be a whole new world.

Design student launches mental wellness kit

Press Pause founder, Taylor Jackson struggled to find a co-op placement in the early days of the pandemic. She took a shot at the Venture Co-op program, submitting a project that she worked on in her second-year Studio course. A start-up was born.

More CEC impact

Celebrating five years at CEC

157

Freelancers launched

134

Ventures launched

Sales careers launched

Contact

Connect with the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective to discuss opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

entrepreneurship@conestogac.on.ca

519-498-7281

49 Frederick Street

Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6M7, Canada

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