At Sheridan EDGE, students don’t just study entrepreneurship — they experience it firsthand. This fall, Sheridan students got a chance to immerse themselves in Canada’s startup ecosystem by attending the final stop of the national Startup Canada Tour.
To mark October’s Small Business Month, EDGE enabled more than 30 students and entrepreneurs to join 1,000 other innovators and community leaders at the event, held at Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre. The experience connected emerging founders to the people, ideas, and resources that will fuel their next steps, placing them at the heart of Canada’s entrepreneurial landscape.
“Talking to entrepreneurs at the event gave me a front-row seat to what real entrepreneurship looks like,” said Sheridan Marketing Management student, Mohamed Abdelghaffar. “I learned more in a few hours of real conversation than I would in weeks behind a screen. The event felt like a launchpad – fast-paced, supportive and completely hands-on. I came in curious and left with a stronger network.”
EDGE’s collaboration with Startup Canada gives entrepreneurs and founders at Sheridan meaningful access to industry leaders, mentors, investors and government representatives. For students, it creates opportunities for learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and into the startup ecosystem.
“Sheridan College students who volunteered at the Startup Canada Tour in Mississauga played an integral role in the event’s success,” said Jenn Juby, Interim CEO of Startup Canada. “They were approachable, supportive, and truly embodied the strength of our partnership with Sheridan EDGE. Together, we are nurturing, mentoring, and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators who will shape a more inclusive and prosperous Canadian economy.“
Feedback from Sheridan students was equally positive. Students praised the Startup Canada Tour as an important experience in their career journeys.
The day included expert Q&As, mentorship opportunities and fireside chats on topics such as mental health in entrepreneurship. For students, event volunteer opportunities offered real-world experience and a chance to contribute to Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem while strengthening their resumes and professional networks.
Keynote speakers included Michele Romanow of CBC Dragons’ Den and Clearco, Wes Hall of Kingsdale Advisors, and Jenn Harper of Cheekbone Beauty. Panels explored emerging technologies, the future of business, financing, and the practical challenges entrepreneurs face. More than $70,000 in awards were awarded to innovators from across Canada in the Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale
“It was exciting to see people of all ages pitching ideas” said Aritraa Banerjee, (Business Analysis and Process Management‘ 25). “Michele Romanow’s message to stop planning and start executing truly resonated. My takeaways: believe in your ideas, never give up, do what others won’t, and network often. I’m grateful to EDGE for such a transformative experience.”
EDGE’s partnership with IDEA Mississauga enabled the college to build on the City’s decision to host the Startup Canada Tour, creating an exclusive opportunity for students. Sheridan’s strengthened relationship with the City, through the Working Together—Memorandum of Understanding, includes shared priorities such as experiential learning, entrepreneur support and aligning academic programs with local economic needs.
About Sheridan EDGE
EDGE creates opportunities for students to engage with the startup ecosystem through its student membership, which includes mentorship opportunities with Sheridan faculty, and the cohort based Thrive mentorship program. Students can learn more by visiting the EDGE student membership webpage.