Through the generous support of our donors, we are able to offer support to our students as they pursue their entrepreneurial ventures at the undergraduate level.
Award funds will be divided equally among the winning team members. Prize money will be deposited into the student's Quest account.
Norman Esch Entrepreneurship Award for Capstone Design
Several awards will be provided to student teams enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering’s Fourth-Year Capstone Design Project. Six awards valued at $12,000 each for winning teams, and six awards valued at $5,000 each for second place teams.
The award funds will be divided equally among the winning team members. Selection based on eight-month Capstone Design Project.
This fund is made possible by donations from The Esch Foundation.
Value: Six awards valued at $12,000 each for winning teams, and six awards valued at $5,000 each for second place teams. The award funds will be divided equally among the winning team members.
E-Launch Awards
Up to five awards, valued at $5,000 each, will be provided each term to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the Conrad School of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology's Enterprise Co-op program (E-Co-op) on the basis of clarity of business description, independent development of work plan and milestones, and preparedness to lead a venture or social enterprise.
The E-Launch award is given out at the beginning of the E-Co-op term in a competitive process where students give presentations to a panel of external judges based upon criteria of clarity, problem-solution fit (or product-market fit), and work plan.
Value: Up to five awards, valued at $5,000 each.
Wayne Chang Enterprise Co-op Award in Engineering
Three awards, valued at $12,000 each, will be provided annually, one per co-op term, to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Third or Fourth year within the Faculty of Engineering and who are pursuing an Enterprise Co-op opportunity.
Selection will be based on the quality of the presentation, strength of the business plan, clarity of the venture concept, and readiness to lead a mission-oriented venture focused on driving social good and impact. Interested students must apply and be accepted into the Enterprise Co-op program by the start of the co-op term. Awards are determined through a competitive e-launch process, where students present to a panel of judges and are evaluated on criteria such as clarity, problem–solution (or product–market) fit, and work plan.
This fund is made possible by a donation from Zero 21 Partners to support future engineering talent and promote entrepreneurship in Engineering.
Value: $12,000 for three awards annually, one per co-op term.
Norman Esch Enterprise Co-op Awards
Nine awards, valued at up to $10,000 each, will be presented annually to full-time undergraduate students who are pursuing an enterprise co-op opportunity and are enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering.
Selection will be based on academic achievement and demonstrated entrepreneurial outlook. Preference will be given to students who will not be receiving any other funding in support of entrepreneurial work experience and who are actively working on a technology/engineering-based venture. Interested students should apply to be accepted into the Enterprise Co-op no later than the start of the co-op term. They will be assessed for these awards as part of the e-launch process during the first week of the enterprise co-op term.
This fund is made possible by a donation from The Esch Foundation, to expand opportunities for students to establish their own business as an alternative to a traditional co-op work term experience.
Value: Up to 10,000 each for nine awards.
Norman Esch Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) Award
Thirty stipends, valued at $1,000 each, are awarded annually to first-year, full-time undergraduate students in the Faculty of Engineering who have been unable to secure a co-op work term placement.
This funding will provide students with an opportunity to work in a start-up company to increase their exposure to an entrepreneurial work culture. Preference will be given to students with financial need who are not receiving any other significant support.
The Conrad School will select recipients through a competitive interview process after students have applied to the online job posting for the Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students. This happens after co-op interviews have ended and following final exams.
This fund is made possible by a donation from The Esch Foundation.
Value: $1000 for thirty stipends annually.
Tyler Rooney Mathematics Entrepreneurship Award
An award, valued at $2,000, will be provided each term to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Year Two, Three, or Four of any program in the Faculty of Mathematics, who are pursuing an Enterprise Co-op opportunity.
Selection will be based on the development of an outstanding presentation, business plan review, clarity of business description, and preparedness to lead a venture, or social enterprise. Interested students should apply to be accepted into the Enterprise Co-op program no later than the start of the co-op term.
This fund is made possible by a donation from Tyler Rooney (BMath ’04, Computer Science) to support the next generation of entrepreneurial students.
Value: $2000 each term.
Overbeeke Family Entrepreneurship Excellence Award
An award, valued at up to $10,000, will be awarded each term to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in any year in the Faculty of Engineering who is pursuing an Enterprise Co-op opportunity.
Selection will be based on the development of an outstanding presentation, business plan review, clarity of business description, and preparedness to lead a venture or social enterprise. Interested students should apply to be accepted into the Enterprise Co-op program no later than the start of the co-op term.
This fund is made possible by a donation from H. David Overbeeke (BASc ’85, Mechanical Engineering) to support engineering students with their entrepreneurial goals and business education.
Value: up to $10,000 each term.
