Founders' Circle

The Science and Business Founders’ Circle Program    

This program aims to connect Science and Business students and alumni who are founders of their own businesses (e.g., start-ups, pro-bono consulting) to other Science and Business students who are interested in this space.

This program will serve as a mentorship program for Science and Business students who are specifically looking to learn more about founding their own start-up or joining a team early in the business life cycle.

In addition to the one-on-one mentorship, mentees will meet with each other through bi-weekly workshops and bi-weekly events. We are looking for students who will commit to full participation in all program activities

Accepted mentees of this program will learn together through workshops,   networking events,  socials and  pitch their ideas to established founders. Additionally, they will tour various start-ups, directly interacting with founders and more!

Week-by-week break down: 

*Please note that this schedule may be subject to change. Additionally, please note that bi-weekly workshops will be 2 hours long, with the first hour focused on workshop activities and the second hour for working on your final mock-pitch.   

Week 1   

September 9th – September 13th  

Meeting #1: Introductory Meeting  + Social Between Mentees 

  • Conduct a brainstorming workshop 

Week 2  

September 16th – September 20nd  

Meeting #2: What is your problem?    

  • A guided brainstorming session on identifying ‘problems’  

Week 3   

September 23rd – September 27th   

Meeting #3: The Nitty-Gritty Stuff   

  • How to determine a company evaluation?   

  • How to budget your initial costs 

Week 4   

September 30th – October 4th  

  • Speaker Panel Event 

Week 5 

October 7th - October 11th   

Meeting #4: Pitching Homeruns 

  • How to craft the perfect pitch 

Reading Week 

October 14th – 20th 

Week 6   

October 21st – 25th   

  • Tour of Waterloo’s Entrepreneur Ecosystem    

Week 7   

October 28th – November 1rd 

Meeting #5: Getting off the ground   

  • How to get funding?    

Week 8   

November 4th – 8th 

  • Innovation and entrepreneurship tour

Week 9   

November 11th – 15th 

Meeting #6: Mock Pitch    

  • Mentees have the opportunity to ‘pitch’ ideas they have   

Week 10   

November 18th – 22nd 

Meeting #7: Social between Mentees 

  • Reflection