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Early-Stage Summer Sprint

From Idea to World Stage

The Early-Stage Summer Sprint is a national accelerator designed to support early- stage business ventures and develop innovative social enterprises, community initiatives, and impact-driven ventures aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   

This six-week, virtual program begins on Monday, June 15 and is open to all postsecondary students. The Sprint will end with an Early-Stage Competition where individuals and teams, of up to three, will pitch their ventures.

Teams will move from identifying community challenges to building and testing MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), pilot initiatives, or early-stage social enterprise models. 

Registration will close on Thursday, June 11 at 11:59 PM (ET).

Program Details
June 15
6-week program starts
100% Virtual
Interactive sessions
 

Mentorship 

Support throughout sprint

Individual or team
All postsecondary students
SDG aligned
Impact-driven ventures
Register Now

How it works:

  • Individuals and/or teams of up to three register below
  • Participants do not have to be part of an Enactus team to take part in the program
  • Participants will complete a six-week, virtual program with interactive workshops to gain experience in venture development, social innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership
  • Mentors will support teams throughout 
  • Registered Enactus Teams can enter the Early-Stage Competition  
  • Top teams will advance to virtual national final to a panel of judges 
  • One Enactus team will be selected for the opportunity to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil

Over the course of the six weeks, participants will explore: 

  • Week 1 – Problem Identification & Needs Assessment 
  • Week 2 – Ideation & Solution Design 
  • Week 3 – Building Innovation and Intervention mapping 
  • Week 4 & 5 – Prototyping, MVP Development & Testing 
  • Week 6 – Pitch Preparation  

Students will work individually or in teams of up to three to develop innovative solutions addressing social, environmental, or economic challenges in their communities. 

  • Open to all students enrolled at a Canadian postsecondary school  (Enactus and non-Enactus students)
  • Registration closes Thursday, June 11 at 11:59 PM
  • Maximum of three students on a team
  • Schools can register multiple teams 
  • Projects must be in the early stages of development
  • Participation is open to: 
    • New ideas 
    • Early-stage ventures 
    • Community initiatives 
    • Existing projects with no measurable impact yet 
  • Projects should address a social, environmental, or economic challenge 
  • Teams must actively participate in workshops, mentorship sessions, program deliverables, and national finals if selected
  • Participants in the Sprint are not required to participate in the competition, but those competing in the Enactus Canada Early–Stage Competition must be registered with an active Enactus Canada team to be eligible  
Week 1

Problem Identification & Needs Assessment 

Week 2
Ideation & Solution Design
 
Week 3

Building Innovation and Intervention mapping 

Week 4-5

Prototyping, MVP Development & Testing 

Week 6
Pitch Preperation

Participant requirements

  • Open to all postsecondary students in Canada — both Enactus and non-Enactus students are welcome
  • Teams may include a maximum of three students; individual participation is also accepted
  • Institutes may submit multiple teams
  • Active participation required: workshops, mentorship sessions, program deliverables, and Virtual National Finals if selected
  • To compete in the national competition, students/teams must be registered with an active Enactus Canada team

Project requirements

  • Projects must be in the early stages of development
  • Must address a social, environmental, or economic challenge

Eligible project types include:

  • New ideas
  • Early-stage ventures
  • Community initiatives
  • Projects with no measurable impact yet