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 1 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Friday, January 2 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Wednesday, January 7 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Wednesday, January 14 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, January 21 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, January 28 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, February 4 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking Night |
| Wednesday, February 11 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Your Next Steps |
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT |
| Friday, February 20 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Monday, March 16 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Friday, March 20 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Wednesday, April 1 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, April 8 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, April 15 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, April 22 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking Night |
| Wednesday, April 29 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Next Steps |
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT |
| Wednesday, May 13 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Monday, June 15 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Monday, June 22 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Thursday, July 2 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, July 8 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, July 15 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, July 22 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking Night |
| Wednesday, July 29 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Your Next Steps |
| DATE | TIME | SUBJECT |
| Wednesday, August 12 | 8:30 a.m. | Applications Open |
| Monday, September 14 | 11:59 p.m. | Applications Close |
| Monday, September 21 | 11:59 p.m. | Participants Acceptance – Email |
| Wednesday, October 7 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Introduction to Business Idea Generation |
| Wednesday, October 14 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Market Research and Validation |
| Wednesday, October 21 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Value Proposition and Branding 101 |
| Wednesday, October 28 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Your Next Steps |
| Thursday, October 29 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking Night |
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
