LONDON, ON – BizInc., a Business Incubator at The University of Western Ontario, has expanded its reach to include students at Fanshawe College.
The official launch of BizInc Fanshawe was celebrated on Nov 22nd, in Fanshawe’s Alumni Lounge. The launch featured a panel of successful entrepreneurs from within the community, each with a unique story about starting a business in London, Ontario. The event attracted students, faculty and administration from Fanshawe College who gathered to learn about the new service that has already started generating interest from Fanshawe students.
BizInc aims to bring student ventures to market by providing students with advisory services to turn their ideas into workable business plans. The BizInc project is part of LEDC’s strategy to promote youth entrepreneurship and drive youth employment. “Fostering entrepreneurship is a key priority for LEDC’s Workforce Development portfolio. BizInc is one way we are supporting this,” says Peter White, President & CEO of the London Economic Development Corporation. “We believe that student entrepreneurs who are encouraged and actively supported by local mentors will be inclined to stay in London,” says John Pollock, Director of BizInc at the University of Western Ontario.
Dan Ninclaus will lead BizInc at Fanshawe. Dan holds a Master’s degree in Business, has been a professor at Fanshawe College, and has over 35 years experience in business including employment with the Business Development Bank of Canada.
In addition to the partnership with Fanshawe College, BizInc has reached significant milestones with their student startup projects. One team, eProf, spent the summer in Dailan after earning a position at Chinaccelerator. Shortly after returning to London, the team was flown to Silicon Valley where they placed 3rd in a pitch at Google! Other projects have been successful in securing MaRs funding for development, and one project generated over $40,000 in revenue from their start up this summer!
BizInc has now advised over 50 student projects since their doors opened just 8 months ago and the move to Fanshawe is anticipated to grow this number quickly. “We are very excited about the opportunity to match students from the two institutions. Bringing together students with different skill sets can only strengthen project teams and open new doors” says Pollock.
BizInc is currently in the process of establishing a formalized mentoring program to connect student entrepreneurs with community members willing to share their expertise.This initiative will be part of BizInc’s long-term strategy to create meaningful relationships for London’s emerging talent.
Interested individuals are encouraged to get involved. You can get in touch with BizInc and learn more about their services and student projects by visiting www.bizinc.ca.
BizInc is funded by The Ministry of Economic Development & Innovation, The London Economic Development Corporation, the Fanshawe Student Union, Fanshawe College, and the University Students’ Council at The University of Western Ontario.
For more information, please contact:
John Pollock
Director, BizInc
519-661-2111 ext. 86048
john@bizinc.ca
