British Columbia Innovation Council

Launched in January 2012, entrepreneurship@SFU is a new high-tech entrepreneurship initiative created by BCIC, Dr. Ken Spencer, SFU's Faculty of Applied Sciences and the Beadie School of Business.

The new Ken Spencer Entrepreneur Incubator, a component of the entrepreneurship@SFU initiative in partnership with BCIC, is a competitive academic pathway for third- and fourth-year business and applied sciences students that provides the skills, mentorship and resources to build upon innovative ideas and develop successful new ventures.

Students will be expected to produce a business plan, design and prototype their product/system, complete steps to launch a successful business and obtain a lead customer. They will also take courses in business, engineering, entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization and will have access to mentorship from industry experts, a scholarship award and a new Product Design Studio, established in partnership with BCIC.

The Product Design Studio is a work and meeting space outfitted with design and prototyping equipment including computer and A/V facilities, advanced design software, a rapid prototyping machine and other equipment to help students launch new ventures.

The Ken Spencer Entrepreneur Incubator will contribute to B.C.'s economic development by preparing students to create, build and lead companies, and thereby produce jobs, revenue and intellectual capital. SFU will begin with a pilot initiative in 2012, and moving forward, will accept 20-25 students each year for seven years with the goal of producing six potential companies or products annually.

entrepreneurship@SFU is now one of five entrepreneurship@ programs developed by BCIC to launch and grow sustainable technology companies in the province. To learn more about the Ken Spencer Entrepreneur Incubator and entrepreneurship@SFU, visit http://entrepreneurship.sfu.ca/.