Entrepreneurial Skills Passport Program for Students - Glendon ENtrepreneuriat et Innovation A L'international (GENIAL)

The ESP for Students at a Glance

Bilingual

Experiential Education

Sole-Proprietorship

Obtain a Certificate, LinkedIn Badge

& Micro-credit

Access Seed Funding of

Up to $1,000

15

Weeks

4

Phases

2

Cohorts per Year

1

Annual Public Pitch Competition

Aspiring Student-Entrepreneurs

Challenge yourself to become an entrepreneur by:

experimenting with the discovery of business opportunities,

developing innovative solutions and strategies for opportunity development,

building a business proof of concept,

creating and managing a real business,

learning to how to communicate the value of your business to potential partners and acquire seed funding for launching and scaling up.

APPLY HERE

Professor Dossou-Yovo and Melissa were so encouraging, patient and understanding. They created a safe space for me to learn and make mistakes, and they supported/helped me through the learning process. The entrepreneurship lessons I learned will serve me well in all my future jobs.

— Amélie M.

APPLY HERE

My presentation experience improved significantly thanks to the Pitch at GENIAL Student Entrepreneurship Competition. I really enjoyed the feeling of putting myself in a situation that felt like being on Dragon's Den.

— Olivier K.

APPLY HERE

I joined the ESP Program, with no business background, to be guided through the process of starting a small business. During the workshops with Professor and my cohort, I met some great and very interesting students. I learned that you have to start by focusing on a problem or a passion rather than a solution.

— Leanne E.

APPLY HERE

This is the 2nd time I participate in the Pitch at the GENIAL Student Entrepreneurship Competition. I appreciate the quality of the organization as well as the human aspect of the activity.

— Jean-Marie M.

APPLY HERE

Start your entrepreneurial journey today!

Fill out the application form or contact us with your questions.

Apply

The duration of the ESP Program is approximately 15 weeks or one semester.

The ESP Program is delivered in hybrid format. Students complete certain learning modules, quizzes and activities online and at their own pace while workshops take place several times a month in the GENIAL Space.

There is a symbolic $50 administrative fee required to join the ESP Program.

Students who successfully complete the ESP Program will earn a certificate and digital micro-credential badge to display on their LinkedIn profile.

The ESP Program is available to all York University students including those enrolled in non-business programs.

Previous business experience or knowledge is not required to join the ESP Program.

No. However, if you have one, you can still apply.

Yes. Students in the ESP Program create and register a sole proprietorship in Ontario.

If you are unable to continue the ESP Program for any reason, you will have another opportunity to join a future cohort at no extra cost.

Yes. The ESP is a bilingual program. All the program content is available in English and French.

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