UWindsor Entrepreneur Programs Get $800K Funding Boost

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The RBC Foundation is making a $800,000 strategic investment in support of two Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre programs at the University of Windsor.

The investment will support the RBC EPIC Founders Program, an intensive 12-week opportunity that gives up to 12 young entrepreneurs $6,000 each in funds to develop their business idea. At the end of the session, participants have an opportunity to showcase their work to mentors, supporters, and potential investors during Demo Day, where the team with the most viable business idea will receive the $3,500 RBC Top Founder Award to help them take their business to the next level.

All Founders Program participants can also apply to be part of an on-campus business incubator that gives them six months of free rent, as well as advice and support from business faculty and industry mentors. Incubator businesses are eligible to participate in the RBC Business Model Competition, also funded by today’s announcement.

The competition will give students and alumni the opportunity to test the market-readiness of their business idea, with a goal of helping young entrepreneurs develop a strong business model for their venture. The RBC EPIC Business Model Award will provide $10,000 and $2,500 respectively to the two top performing businesses.

“EPICentre provides the tools and support young entrepreneurs need to connect and learn from mentors and one another,” says UWindsor President Alan Wildeman. “The RBC Foundation’s investment in students and their business ideas is an investment in the future. EPICentre programs not only give students a place to create their own opportunities, they foster a belief in the entrepreneurial spirit that benefits us all.”

In addition, two of EPICentre’s incubation modules will now be known as the RBC Innovation Space.