Do you want to start a business but don’t know where to begin?
The Early Sparks Program is for you.
This 5-week introductory program aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to start a business. The program is open to individuals who have an idea but have not registered a business and want to journey from uncertainty to entrepreneurial readiness.
Program Agenda:
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT |
| Monday, December 9 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Sunday, January 5 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Friday, January 10 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Wednesday, January 22 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, January 29 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, February 5 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, February 12 | 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking Night |
| Wednesday, February 19 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Your Next Steps |
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT |
| Friday, February 21 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Monday, March 17 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Friday, March 21 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Wednesday, April 2 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, April 9 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, April 16 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, April 23 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Next Steps |
| Wednesday, April 30 | 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking Night |
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT |
| Wednesday, May 14 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Monday, June 16 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Monday, June 23 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Wednesday, July 2 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, July 9 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, July 16 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, July 23 | 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking Night |
| Wednesday, July 30 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Your Next Steps |
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT |
| Wednesday, August 13 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Monday, September 15 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Monday, September 22 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Wednesday, October 1 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, October 8 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, October 15 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, October 22 | 4:00 – 7:00 p.n. | Networking Night |
| Wednesday, October 29 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Your Next Steps |
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
