McMaster Graduates: And Entrepreneurial Funding!
Regular readers here will know that while we continue with our SEO practice, provide Mentoring to our Hamilton based Innovation Factory clients and have a startup or two of our own – we also very much look for leadership by any of our local community leaders. And it’s so dang nice to be able to report on this brand new offering from our Federal Government….yup, we’re talking about cold hard cash for McMaster alumni to fund their own startups!
MP David Sweet, Conservative member for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, announced this past Friday up to $787,500 in funding that will allow McMaster University to provide graduates and graduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with entrepreneurial skills.
“Our government is committed to creating jobs and supporting economic opportunities in southernOntariothrough investing in the ideas of graduates and providing them with the skills necessary to become successful entrepreneurs,” said MP Sweet. “This funding forMcMasterUniversity will equip the students with the skills needed to bring their innovative, market-driven ideas to life, contributing to the growth of the southernOntarioeconomy.”
This new funding initiative is being provided through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario’s Scientists and Engineers in Business initiative, designed to assist graduates and graduate students in STEM fields in developing their business skills and launching or expanding their business ventures in southernOntario.
McMasterUniversity will use the contribution to provide up to 75 fellowships to eligible STEM students and graduates to help them successfully convert their ideas into new companies and create jobs in southernOntario.
“This investment in student mentorships is critical to stimulate start-up companies by students who have the ideas and drive to start their own high tech ventures,” says David Wilkinson, dean of McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering, who expects the funding to assist in the creation of up to 30 companies. “These mentorships are vital components in building the next generation of entrepreneurs and each will give them the fighting chance to succeed.”
And where exactly does the cash come from? Well, created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region’s strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region’s businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505….and I urge any/all McMaster students who have an entrepreneurial flair – to contact them today!
So, a good thing happened right here in Hamilton this past Friday…and I am so so glad to see same….and to you McMaster students who drop by here….what we’re talking about might just be very close to your own heart….after all, cold hard cash is a great tool for a startup to use, eh!