Have a business idea but aren’t sure where to start?
Early Sparks is a six-week introductory program designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who have an idea and want to determine whether it can become a successful business.
If you’re exploring self-employment, identifying a market opportunity, or validating a new business concept, Early Sparks will help you move from uncertainty to entrepreneurial readiness. Through guided learning, practical assignments, customer discovery activities, and peer support, you’ll build the foundation needed to launch your business with confidence.
Participants will learn how to identify customer problems, validate market demand, test solutions, understand key business fundamentals, and prepare to register and launch their venture.
Program Outcomes:
You will:
- Explore and refine your business ideas with expert guidance and peer support.
- Develop a roadmap for turning your vision into a tangible business plan.
- Gain insights into valuable resources and tools for business growth.
- Learn practical steps to take your vision from concept to execution.
- Develop new business relationships and reduce barriers to business development.
- Build the confidence to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.
- Gain a clear understanding of your entrepreneurial vision and goals.
Who is Eligible?
- 18 years of age or older
- A resident of Waterloo Region
- Not a registered business owner in Ontario
- Proposing a new idea, expansion of an existing idea.
- Prepared to complete the business training components of the Early Sparks program as prescribed by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
- Prepared to attend weekly meetings for 5 weeks after acceptance into the program
- Prepared to commit to a minimum average of 8 hours a week working on the idea
