Exploring Entrepreneurship

ibz Exploration

Develop your entrepreneurial skills, acquire hands-on experience working in a startup environment and satisfy your curiosity for deep-tech innovation with our programming tailored for early-stage ideas.

The Norman Esch Awards

HOUSED UNDER CENTRE OF ENGINEERING INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Norman Esch Award financially supports students in solving real problems. Turn your ideas into reality, driving positive impact and economic growth in Canada.
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Applications for the Fall 2023 Intake of the Norman Esch Awards will close Oct 16th, 2023 - 4:00 P.M. EST

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LEARN MORE ABOUT ESCH

ABOUT ESCH

The Norman Esch Awards provides financial awards (from $5,000 to $25,000) and experiential learning opportunities to students enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science.

Whether you’re a current or aspiring startup founder, working on a cool side project, or have an idea for a solution that solves a problem, we want to help you grow your skills.
The Norman Esch Awards is broken up into 3 financial awards to represent the 3 stages of an idea or startup.

Stage 1: Interaction Award ($5,000)

This award focuses on the person, and is granted to FEAS students who have a new idea that does not exist in the market and solves a problem

Stage 1: Interaction Award ($5,000)

This award focuses on the person, and is granted to FEAS students who have a new idea that does not exist in the market and solves a problem

Stage 1: Interaction Award ($5,000)

This award focuses on the person, and is granted to FEAS students who have a new idea that does not exist in the market and solves a problem

FAQS

FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)

Who is eligible?

Students enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University (in their first year, the second semester of studies or later), and have a GPA of 1.67 or higher, are eligible to apply for the Norman Esch Awards. For full eligibility requirements, please see our apply page.
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How many winners are there?

There is no set number of winners for each award stage. Each stage is capable of having multiple winners!
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Can i apply FOR more than one award?

We recommend that you only apply to the stage that is most applicable to the current state of your startup or project.
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Can i get feedback on my application before submitting it?

You can attend our information sessions where we review application best practices and also book time with our advisors who can provide you with 1-on-1 support with your application. For these details, please see our support page.
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How often do the norman esch awards run?

The Norman Esch Awards are run twice a year in the Fall and Winter semesters.

The apprentice program

HOUSED UNDER innovation boost zone

The Apprentice Program connects Toronto Metropolitan University students and IBZ startups to create work-integrated learning experiences.

Applications Will open May 2024

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about the apprentice program

ABOUT APPRENTICE PROGRAM

This is a 4-MONTH paid program (running between September - December 2023) where students and Innovation Boost Zone (IBZ) startups are matched as APPRENTICES and STARTUPS.

In this program, the Apprentices get to experience what it’s like working at a startup first-hand, working on various tasks and projects in certain specializations. At the end of the placement, the Apprentice will receive a $825 stipend.
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The vision behind the Apprentice program is to provide IBZ startups with the talent support they need and make progress in their ventures. On the flip side, this program also supports Toronto Metropolitan University students by enabling them to grow their portfolio, experience, and resume for further job opportunities, while also providing the space for students to engage with the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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The Apprentice Program is open to all Toronto Metropolitan University undergraduate students and current IBZ startups. If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact ibz@torontomu.ca.

general program details

The program details are as follows:

The program runs for 4 months from September - December 2023.
The Apprentices paid positions. They will receive a $825 stipend at the end of the placement.
The Apprentices are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per month.
To successfully participate in the program, students and startups must participate in a match-making process in July 2023 (read more about the process in “The Match-Making Process” section)
Once matched, the Apprentice and startup will sign two agreements to set expectations before the term begins.
The first is a team agreement to set guidelines on collaboration expectations and the second is a confidentiality agreement on behalf of the startup’s project.

Program TIMELINE

ABOUT APPRENTICE PROGRAM

This is a 4-MONTH paid program (running between September - December 2023) where students and Innovation Boost Zone (IBZ) startups are matched as APPRENTICES and STARTUPS.

APPRENTICE PROGRAM TIMELINE

Application Period (2 months)

Startups interested in getting talent support and students interested in working at our startups will apply to the program. Once applications close, the IBZ team will filter the applicants based on eligibility to the program.

Interviews (3 weeks)

All student applications will become available to the participating IBZ startups to initiate the interview process. Startups will interview applicants and through these interviews, determine their top candidates for the program.

Final Matches (2 weeks)

Once the startups communicate their top candidates for the program, the IBZ team will coordinate the final matches between each startup and student. Your final status in the program will be communicated to you via email.

Program Execution (4 months)

Once all matches have been confirmed, the program will kick off and run for 4 months (specific dates depend on the cohort.

general program details

The program details are as follows:

The program runs for 4 months from September - December 2023.
The Apprentices paid positions. They will receive a $825 stipend at the end of the placement.
The Apprentices are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per month.
To successfully participate in the program, students and startups must participate in a match-making process in July 2023 (read more about the process in “The Match-Making Process” section)
Once matched, the Apprentice and startup will sign two agreements to set expectations before the term begins.
The first is a team agreement to set guidelines on collaboration expectations and the second is a confidentiality agreement on behalf of the startup’s project.

IBZ STARTUP DETAILS

ELIGIBILITY

You must be currently listed as an incubated team in IBZ.
Your projects must be easily incorporated into students' busy schedules. They must be part-time (max. 20hrs/month).
You must make an in-kind (non-monetary) contribution in lieu of payment to students - we account for your time and expertise working with and supporting the student.

PROGRAMMING

If accepted into the program, IBZ startups will receive an introduction session to project management. Through the program itself, startups can expect to gain managerial experience and learn what it takes to lead a team.

Accepted startups are expected to provide their maximum commitment to the program. This includes:

Completing any and all mandatory check-in points with the IBZ team.
Continuous and clear communication with your Apprentice.
Being a strong leader to support your Apprentice.

Inability to accomplish the above commitments will result in risking your ability to apply to future intakes.

tmu student DETAILS

ELIGIBILITY

Outside of basic program eligibility requirements, additional position requirements are determined by the hiring startups. Nearing the application deadline, we will share the list of hiring startups and the roles they are looking to fill. From there, you'll be able to better understand the details of any requested skills, tasks and expectations.

You must be a current full-time or part-time undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University during September to December 2023.
You must be a domestic student at Toronto Metropolitan University.
You must be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
You must be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

PROGRAMMING

If accepted into the program, alongside working with your matched startup, you will be supplemented with the following programming:

Mandatory check-ins with the IBZ team to ensure you feel well-supported throughout the program.
Access to book office hour sessions with the IBZ team where you can share program feedback, or get any extra advice or support you may need.
Access to IBZ and Centre of Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship sessions, workshops and other opportunities to engage with our community.

the match-making process

All interested participants (meaning, both startups and students) must participate in a match-making process. This process breakdown is as follows:

‍STEP 1: Once applications for students close, IBZ startups will be expected to review the applications of students that have the relevant specializations for their position. From these pools of applicants, the startups will begin to contact and interview the students with which they are interested in working (see Significant Dates for exact timelines).

‍STEP 2: After the interview period, startups will determine their final Apprentice candidates to move forward with for the program. With this information, the IBZ team will create the final matches for the program.

‍NOTE: All interested applicants must have availability throughout the summer for important email communications. In addition, to support a successful match-making process, all applicants are expected to check their emails regularly until matches are finalized.

Student APPLICANT GUIDELINES

ABOUT APPRENTICE PROGRAM

This is a 4-MONTH paid program (running between September - December 2023) where students and Innovation Boost Zone (IBZ) startups are matched as APPRENTICES and STARTUPS.

APPRENTICE PROGRAM TIMELINE

Application Period (2 months)

Interviews (3 weeks)

Final Matches (2 weeks)

Program Execution (4 months)

Once all matches have been confirmed, the program will kick off and run for 4 months (specific dates depend on the cohort.

general program details

The program details are as follows:

The program runs for 4 months from September - December 2023.
The Apprentices paid positions. They will receive a $825 stipend at the end of the placement.
The Apprentices are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per month.
To successfully participate in the program, students and startups must participate in a match-making process in July 2023 (read more about the process in “The Match-Making Process” section)
Once matched, the Apprentice and startup will sign two agreements to set expectations before the term begins.
The first is a team agreement to set guidelines on collaboration expectations and the second is a confidentiality agreement on behalf of the startup’s project.

IBZ STARTUP DETAILS

ELIGIBILITY

You must be currently listed as an incubated team in IBZ.
Your projects must be easily incorporated into students' busy schedules. They must be part-time (max. 20hrs/month).
You must make an in-kind (non-monetary) contribution in lieu of payment to students - we account for your time and expertise working with and supporting the student.

PROGRAMMING

Completing any and all mandatory check-in points with the IBZ team.
Continuous and clear communication with your Apprentice.
Being a strong leader to support your Apprentice.

Inability to accomplish the above commitments will result in risking your ability to apply to future intakes.

tmu student DETAILS

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a current full-time or part-time undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University during September to December 2023.
You must be a domestic student at Toronto Metropolitan University.
You must be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
You must be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

PROGRAMMING

If accepted into the program, alongside working with your matched startup, you will be supplemented with the following programming:

Mandatory check-ins with the IBZ team to ensure you feel well-supported throughout the program.
Access to book office hour sessions with the IBZ team where you can share program feedback, or get any extra advice or support you may need.
Access to IBZ and Centre of Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship sessions, workshops and other opportunities to engage with our community.

the match-making process

STARTUP APPLICANT GUIDELINES

ABOUT APPRENTICE PROGRAM

This is a 4-MONTH paid program (running between September - December 2023) where students and Innovation Boost Zone (IBZ) startups are matched as APPRENTICES and STARTUPS.

APPRENTICE PROGRAM TIMELINE

Application Period (2 months)

Interviews (3 weeks)

Final Matches (2 weeks)

Program Execution (4 months)

Once all matches have been confirmed, the program will kick off and run for 4 months (specific dates depend on the cohort.

general program details

The program details are as follows:

The program runs for 4 months from September - December 2023.
The Apprentices paid positions. They will receive a $825 stipend at the end of the placement.
The Apprentices are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per month.
To successfully participate in the program, students and startups must participate in a match-making process in July 2023 (read more about the process in “The Match-Making Process” section)
Once matched, the Apprentice and startup will sign two agreements to set expectations before the term begins.
The first is a team agreement to set guidelines on collaboration expectations and the second is a confidentiality agreement on behalf of the startup’s project.

IBZ STARTUP DETAILS

ELIGIBILITY

You must be currently listed as an incubated team in IBZ.
Your projects must be easily incorporated into students' busy schedules. They must be part-time (max. 20hrs/month).
You must make an in-kind (non-monetary) contribution in lieu of payment to students - we account for your time and expertise working with and supporting the student.

PROGRAMMING

Completing any and all mandatory check-in points with the IBZ team.
Continuous and clear communication with your Apprentice.
Being a strong leader to support your Apprentice.

Inability to accomplish the above commitments will result in risking your ability to apply to future intakes.

tmu student DETAILS

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a current full-time or part-time undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University during September to December 2023.
You must be a domestic student at Toronto Metropolitan University.
You must be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
You must be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

PROGRAMMING

If accepted into the program, alongside working with your matched startup, you will be supplemented with the following programming:

Mandatory check-ins with the IBZ team to ensure you feel well-supported throughout the program.
Access to book office hour sessions with the IBZ team where you can share program feedback, or get any extra advice or support you may need.
Access to IBZ and Centre of Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship sessions, workshops and other opportunities to engage with our community.

the match-making process

MATCH-MAKING PROCESS

ABOUT APPRENTICE PROGRAM

This is a 4-MONTH paid program (running between September - December 2023) where students and Innovation Boost Zone (IBZ) startups are matched as APPRENTICES and STARTUPS.

APPRENTICE PROGRAM TIMELINE

Application Period (2 months)

Interviews (3 weeks)

Final Matches (2 weeks)

Program Execution (4 months)

Once all matches have been confirmed, the program will kick off and run for 4 months (specific dates depend on the cohort.

general program details

The program details are as follows:

The program runs for 4 months from September - December 2023.
The Apprentices paid positions. They will receive a $825 stipend at the end of the placement.
The Apprentices are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per month.
To successfully participate in the program, students and startups must participate in a match-making process in July 2023 (read more about the process in “The Match-Making Process” section)
Once matched, the Apprentice and startup will sign two agreements to set expectations before the term begins.
The first is a team agreement to set guidelines on collaboration expectations and the second is a confidentiality agreement on behalf of the startup’s project.

IBZ STARTUP APPLICANT GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY

You must be currently listed as an incubated team in IBZ.
Your projects must be easily incorporated into students' busy schedules. They must be part-time (max. 20hrs/month).
You must make an in-kind (non-monetary) contribution in lieu of payment to students - we account for your time and expertise working with and supporting the student.

PROGRAMMING

Completing any and all mandatory check-in points with the IBZ team.
Continuous and clear communication with your Apprentice.
Being a strong leader to support your Apprentice.

Inability to accomplish the above commitments will result in risking your ability to apply to future intakes.

tmu student APPLICANT GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a current full-time or part-time undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University during September to December 2023.
You must be a domestic student at Toronto Metropolitan University.
You must be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
You must be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

PROGRAMMING

If accepted into the program, alongside working with your matched startup, you will be supplemented with the following programming:

Mandatory check-ins with the IBZ team to ensure you feel well-supported throughout the program.
Access to book office hour sessions with the IBZ team where you can share program feedback, or get any extra advice or support you may need.
Access to IBZ and Centre of Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship sessions, workshops and other opportunities to engage with our community.