Build the Future You Want
Social Impact Catalyst powered by RBC Future Launch is a transformative program for young changemakers. If you want to explore your purpose and understand how to drive greater social and environmental impact through your work and in your community, this program is for you. We provide the resources, networks, knowledge and encouragement for you to turn your impact ideas into reality.
30 Social Impact Catalysts
140 Hours of Deep Learning Sessions
300 Hours of Mentorship
$60,000 Awarded to Participants
The Program
Free | Jan. 16 to Apr 17 | 14 weeks | 5-10 hours/week | Online programing | In-person opening and closing sessions
Social Impact Catalyst powered by RBC Future Launch is an immersive, interactive learning experience that guides social impact venture ideas and projects into the validation stage. The content and learning journey are practical and informed by our work on the ground with social entrepreneurs and changemakers.
You will develop skills and mindsets to advance your entrepreneurial and changemaking initiatives. We’ll cover the foundations of entrepreneurial knowledge while staying grounded in EDGE’s core values of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization.
This program has been made possible with the generous support of RBC Future Launch, a proud partner of Sheridan and EDGE.
What you will receive:
$2000 honorarium to invest in your idea or project.
EDGE Community Membership to connect to a diverse community of changemakers working to build an inclusive, just and sustainable world.
One-on-one mentorship to provide tailored support for you and your project.
Immersive and interactive workshops with experts and changemakers that support deep learning about impact entrepreneurship.
Access to high-quality, on-demand virtual learning to support your project's solid foundation.
Practical hands-on experience working on your impact project to address real-world challenges.
Feature in the Youth Changemaker Summit by participating in panel discussions, speaking engagements, or showcasing your product/services in a booth.
Promotion of your venture through EDGE marketing channels.
This is the kind of program other people would pay for, so it's incredible we gained access to all these skills, knowledge, resources and mentors for free! I'm so grateful to every speaker, facilitator, participant, mentor, and Social Impact Catalyst team for making this possible. I am so appreciative and grateful!
Social Impact Catalyst was truly an eye-opening experience on how wide - and exciting – the world of entrepreneurship is, and it taught me so much about how to make a larger impact in the areas I'm passionate about.
What You'll Learn
Explore your idea or project using the key building blocks of a successful venture.
Entrepreneurial Foundations
Business Model Canvas
Customer Discovery
Market Research
Legal structures
Digital Marketing and Sales
Finance
Pitching
Prototyping
Impact Entrepreneurship
Aligning personal purpose with social mission
Impact fundamentals
Climate change and environmental sustainability
Diverse perspectives of social innovation
Decolonizing entrepreneurship
Grants and crowdfunding
Theory of change
What You'll Experience
A journey of self-discovery and learning designed to build individual capacity and the capacity of your project to contribute to social change
Onboarding Session:
Program facilitators explain the program schedule, live sessions, deliverables and feedback mechanisms
Insightful Feedback:
Receive insights and assessments of your progress after each learning session
Ongoing Mentoring:
Engage with experienced mentors through eight mentoring sessions throughout the program
On-demand Learning:
EDGE leverages the power of Sheridan’s online learning system to help you learn whenever and wherever is best for you
EDGE Signature Approach:
Ground your work in your personal strengths and values while collaborating with a vibrant and multicultural group of peers and supported by tailored learning materials
Ready to Build a Future You Want?
What Makes a Social Impact Catalyst?
Social Impact Catalysts are driven self-starters ready to harness their energy and skills for good by gaining the community, knowledge and skills required to be effective, collaborative agents of change in the 21st century.
This program is for you, if you:
Have an impact-focused idea, project or organization that aims to make a positive change in your community.
Are 15-29 years of age
Either living in Peel or Halton Regions, building a venture that might serve these regions or a Sheridan student/graduate.
Are ready to take action and commit to a 14-week program
We will help you to amplify your leadership skills, grow your network, explore social issues and discover how to build an impact venture.
Get your Co-op credit and build your impact project!
You need to:
Be a co-op eligible Sheridan student
Have an idea aligned to your program of study
Make a full-time commitment to meet co-op criteria
Program Facilitators & Mentors
Social Impact Catalyst Powered by RBC Future Launch Participants
Thank you to:
FAQs
It would help if you had a defined social impact-focused idea that you want to validate and grow. Fill out the application form and wait to hear back from EDGE.
Attend the workshops, complete the activities, meet your mentors and apply all learning to your venture. Your success is our success.
No, anyone aged 15-29 can apply.
Yes, all are welcome.
Yes, you can apply as a team. The honorarium is per idea/project, not per participant
Your relationship with EDGE doesn’t end with the end of the program! You will be able to join our next tier of programs, such as Leap in Action and Rise. You can also become an EDGE community member.
We will be happy to receive your questions. Please email edge@sheridancollege.ca.
SIC will be offered again in the summer, from May to August 2023. You are welcome to join the waitlist.
