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Redrafted proposal for the NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program, updated to align with the most recent program details:

NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program Proposal

Business Strategy Internship (BSI)

1. Declarations

Conflict of Interest (COI)

No conflicts of interest have been identified among interns, academic supervisors, or partner organizations.

Indigenous Engagement

The program actively seeks partnerships with Indigenous-owned businesses to support student learning opportunities and incorporate Indigenous business strategies in workshops.

Innovation Areas Impacted

✅ Product Innovation
✅ Process Innovation
✅ Organizational Innovation

2. Project Details

2.1 Project Description

2.1.a Background – What problem needs to be solved?

Entrepreneurial education often focuses on theory, leaving students without hands-on startup experience. This gap makes transitioning into leadership roles or entrepreneurship challenging.

At the same time, Edmonton-based startups struggle to find affordable, motivated talent with a strong entrepreneurial mindset. The NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program solves this by connecting high-potential students with growth-stage startups, creating a high-impact collaboration for both students and businesses.

2.1.b Objectives and Approach – How will the problem be solved?

✅ Objectives:

Provide hands-on entrepreneurial experience to students.

Support local startups with fresh talent and innovation-driven solutions.

Foster long-term connections between NAIT, Edmonton startups, and students.

✅ Approach:

Student-Startup Matching – Pair 10 NAIT BBA students with 10 startups three months before internships begin (February 2026).

4-Month Full-Time Internships (May–August 2026) – Interns work on business strategy, marketing, operations, and innovation projects within startups.

Mentorship & Workshops – Bi-weekly mentorship sessions, training workshops, and structured startup leadership discussions.

Final Industry Showcase – Interns present their startup contributions and business solutions at a closing event in August 2026.

2.1.c Timeline – Who will solve the problem and how much effort is required?

Phase Timeline Key Activities Matching Process Feb 2026 Startup recruitment, student applications, employer interviews Internship Start May 2026 Orientation, onboarding, goal setting Internship Execution May–Aug 2026 Hands-on startup work, mentorship, business strategy reports Wrap-Up & Showcase Aug 2026 Final presentations, networking events, post-internship reflections

2.1.d Deliverables – What does success look like?

✅ Business Strategy Reports – Interns provide actionable recommendations for their startups.
✅ Operational Support & Process Innovations – Interns actively contribute to business development efforts.
✅ Networking & Career Growth – Strong relationships between startups, students, and mentors.
✅ Final Startup Showcase – Demonstration of impact and learning outcomes at the end of the program.

2.2 Internship Benefits

2.2.a Benefits to Canada

The program strengthens Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, contributes to economic growth, and ensures students graduate with real-world startup experience, leading to job creation and innovation.

2.2.b Benefits to Interns

Interns will:
✅ Gain firsthand experience working inside growth-stage startups.
✅ Expand their network within Edmonton’s entrepreneurial community.
✅ Develop key startup skills in strategy, operations, leadership, and problem-solving.
✅ Increase employment prospects, with many interns transitioning into startup jobs or launching their own ventures.

2.3 Internship Environment

2.3.a Academic Internship Support

✅ Supervision – NAIT faculty provide structured mentorship through bi-weekly virtual and in-person check-ins.
✅ Resources – Interns get workspace access, expert-led workshops, networking events, and startup mentorship through Edmonton Unlimited’s Experts on Demand.

2.3.b Startup Internship Environment

✅ Internship Mode – Hybrid model (On-site & Virtual) depending on startup needs.
✅ Mentorship & Training – Interns work closely with founders, attend team meetings, and receive targeted mentoring.
✅ Facilities – Interns gain access to startup offices, incubators, and collaboration tools for efficient project execution.

2.4 Past/Other Mitacs Projects

This program is new, but aligns with NAIT’s existing entrepreneurship initiatives, fostering long-term business development opportunities.

2.5 Engagement with Indigenous Communities

✅ Collaboration with Indigenous-owned startups as program partners.
✅ Mentorship roles for Indigenous entrepreneurs in key sectors.
✅ Workshops integrating Indigenous business strategies and sustainability principles.

2.6 Intellectual Property

While this program focuses on business strategy development, any startup innovations created by interns remain the property of the participating startups.

2.7 References & Supporting Research

📌 NAIT Entrepreneurship Program Guidelines
📌 Edmonton Startup Ecosystem Reports
📌 Mitacs Internship Framework

Conclusion & Next Steps

The NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program is a high-impact initiative, connecting Edmonton startups with top entrepreneurial talent from NAIT. This program supports startup growth, enhances student learning, and strengthens Edmonton’s innovation sector.

Next Steps:

✅ Secure startup partners & finalize student recruitment
✅ Launch internship matching process in Feb 2026
✅ Execute full internship cycle (May–Aug 2026)
✅ Evaluate program effectiveness & refine for future iterations

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Umbrella Proposal Intake Form

1. Has the person submitting this form read Appendix A?
✅ Yes

2. Umbrella Holder:
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), JR Shaw School of Business

3. Umbrella Holder Website:
https://www.nait.ca

4. Approximate Number of Accelerate IUs for 2-Year Umbrella:
30 IUs

5. Justification for Proposed Umbrella Size:
We anticipate 10 full-time internships in summer 2026 and 20 internships in summer 2027. Each internship is 4 months in duration (May–August) and thus requires 1 IU per student. Based on this model—10 students in Year 1 and 20 in Year 2—the total required over two years is 30 IUs. This scale reflects NAIT’s expansion of its Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program to meet increased student demand and local startup capacity, supported by Mitacs and sponsor contributions.

6. Expected Start Date for Activating Projects:
May 1, 2026

7. Is this request related to a previously approved umbrella?
No

8. Would this establish or replace an embedded internship program?
No - it would fall under NAIT's current Co-op Program
Brief Description:
This umbrella supports a recurring, structured internship program embedded in NAIT’s BBA curriculum. It provides applied entrepreneurship experience for students while supporting growth-stage Edmonton startups with targeted talent. Each summer cohort receives training, mentorship, and a paid 16-week placement.

9. Would this replace an MOU with a special research review agreement?
No

10. Purpose of the Umbrella:
The umbrella streamlines project review and coordination for a cohort-based internship model, allowing NAIT to efficiently support dozens of student-startup projects within a shared innovation and training framework. It also fosters collaboration between academic, industry, and civic stakeholders to drive community impact and startup ecosystem growth beyond the scope of individual Part 2 projects.

11. Why is an umbrella a better fit than the standard Accelerate process?
The umbrella reduces administrative duplication and delays for a pre-scoped, high-volume internship initiative that is time-sensitive and cohort-based. Submitting separate applications for 30 internships would create barriers for startups and limit scalability. This model ensures predictable, quality-controlled internship activation while upholding Mitacs’ commitment to research-driven training and industry-academic collaboration.

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Umbrella Application Form_Part 1_Version 8.0 - drafts

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🧭 Key Notes for Sponsors:

Mitacs + Employers already cover all stipend costs.

$1,000 per intern (from stipend funds) is redirected into the Program/Event Fees, reducing how much needs to be covered by outside sponsors.

The target sponsorship ask ranges from $23.5K to $79K, depending on how elevated you want the program to be.

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Kennedy Farnell

Business Co-op Coordinator

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Kennedy Farnell

Business Co-op Coordinator

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I talked with Vinay and it sounds like this project might fall under the Mitas “Umbrella” program in which the initial project proposal could be approved and then industry members and students could be named at a later date. They would need to submit a very small application, but these would be expedited, knowing the funding has already been approved. Whether we use the traditional BSI model or the Umbrella, I am confident this project will be eligible for funding. He also let me know Mitacs has received funding for the next three years, which is great news!

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James Boyle - partner development role - toronto and vancouver offices - promote co-op programs - 16 years

2 things come to mind - IDEA - student led innovation center come up with their own idea --> student run faculty oversea it

we have two campuses - regional campuses - Vancouver and one in toronto

they are doing things similar

graduate degree in those programs

miami campus - create a brand

computer science, AI tech, gaming

toronto is project managment

30% in class

entrepreneurial space

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1. Customer Segments

Primary: Students from the NAIT Entrepreneurship Program seeking practical experience.

Secondary: Edmonton-based startup companies needing fresh ideas and enthusiastic talent.

Hypothesis: Students are eager to gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience, and startups value affordable, high-quality talent to address operational and strategic needs.

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2. Value Propositions

For Students: A structured internship offering exposure to real-world entrepreneurial challenges and networking opportunities.

For Startups: Access to motivated students who can contribute innovative ideas and operational support.

Hypothesis: Both students and startups will perceive mutual benefits, making the program desirable for participation.

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3. Channels

Communication with students via NAIT’s internal channels (emails, portals, faculty announcements).

Outreach to startups through local networks, startup incubators, and platforms like Startup Edmonton.

Hypothesis: Leveraging existing communication channels will effectively attract both students and startup partners.

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4. Customer Relationships

With Students: Close mentorship and support from NAIT coordinators to ensure a positive learning experience.

With Startups: Regular touchpoints (progress reports and bi-weekly feedback) to maintain strong partnerships.

Hypothesis: Strong program coordination will ensure satisfaction and recurring participation from students and startups.

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5. Revenue Streams

Program fees for startups participating in the program.

Potential government grants or funding for student internship programs.

Value-added services such as workshops or additional training sessions for startups and students.

Hypothesis: Charging startups a modest fee and securing funding will make the program financially sustainable.

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6. Key Resources

Program coordinators to manage and oversee operations.

NAIT faculty to provide workshops and mentorship.

Partnerships with startup incubators like Startup Edmonton to recruit startups.

Hypothesis: Allocating dedicated human resources and leveraging partnerships will ensure seamless program execution.

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7. Key Activities

Recruitment of students and startups.

Matching students to suitable startups.

Organizing orientation, workshops, and networking events.

Monitoring and supporting student progress during internships.

Hypothesis: Systematic planning and execution of key activities will maximize program impact.

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8. Key Partnerships

Internal: NAIT faculty and staff for program oversight.

External: Edmonton-based startup networks, local business incubators, and potential funding agencies.

Hypothesis: Strong partnerships will enhance program credibility and help reach the target audience effectively.

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9. Cost Structure

Salaries for program coordinators and facilitators.

Costs for organizing events, workshops, and matching processes.

Marketing and outreach efforts to recruit participants.

Hypothesis: Balancing operational costs with program fees and funding sources will make the program financially viable.

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Here’s an updated version of your summer internship program that incorporates your changes:

NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (May–August 2026)

Program Overview

This program connects 20 NAIT Entrepreneurship students with 20 Edmonton-based startups for a 4-month hands-on internship experience. The pairing process is completed 3 months prior to the start of the program to allow the entire duration of the program to focus on internship activities.

Program Objectives

1. Skill Development: Empower students with practical entrepreneurial skills.

2. Networking: Build meaningful connections within Edmonton's startup ecosystem.

3. Mutual Growth: Facilitate impactful learning for students and valuable contributions to startups.

Updated Program Timeline

February 2026: Matching Process

Month 1:

Students submit their resumes and areas of interest.

Startups provide profiles and define their mentorship goals.

Matching facilitated through interviews and networking events, ensuring alignment of interests and goals.

May–August 2026: Internship Work

Month 1–Month 4:

Students begin their internships, dedicating the full 4 months to contributing and learning within their assigned startups.

Key Activities:

Assisting with key business operations and projects.

Identifying innovative solutions to challenges.

Participating in strategy and planning sessions.

Continuous Support:

Students submit progress updates weekly to NAIT coordinators.

Coordinators hold bi-weekly workshops to enhance learning and provide troubleshooting support.

August 2026: Wrap-Up & Presentation

Final Week:

Students prepare presentations summarizing their contributions and lessons learned.

Closing ceremony with project presentations, networking opportunities, and certificates of completion.

Program Logistics

Eligibility Criteria for Startups

Based in Edmonton.

Operating for 3–5 years.

Employing 5–25 staff members.

Student Requirements

Enrolled in the NAIT Entrepreneurship Program.

Available full-time for May–August.

Program Support

NAIT coordinators oversee progress, provide guidance, and organize workshops.

Benefits

For Students: Gain comprehensive internship experience, build entrepreneurial skills, and establish industry connections.

For Startups: Access to enthusiastic talent, innovative ideas, and fresh perspectives.

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Company Average

Revenue

Number of Employees

Years in Operation

Founder

Wyvern Space $13.7M 48 7 years Alyssa Newman

Entos Pharmaceuticals $8.1M 46 7 years John Lewis

Jobber $168M 985 14 years Sam Pillar Nanode

Battery Technologies $956K 12 5 years Bing Cao

PainWorth $807K 10 6 years Michael Zouhri

DrugBank $16.8M 83 10 years Craig Knox

Showbie $13.1M 62 13 years Colin Bramm

Drivewyze $46.8M 223 15 years Brian Heath

AltaML $16.2M 112 7 years Cory Janssen

SAM (Social Asset Management) $3M 19 7 years Sean Solbak

Trust Science $7.1M 44 9 years Evan Chrapko

Granify $5.5M 47 12 years Jeff Lawrence

TappCar $2.5M 7 9 years Shayne Saskiw

Pogo CarShare Not Available Not Available 9 years James Kwan

ChatterHigh $1.7M 16 13 years Lee Taal

Scope AR $4.6M 25 14 years David Nedohin

RunWithIt Synthetics $1M-$5M 27 9 years Myrna Bittner Future Fields $6.3M 30 7 years Matt Anderson-Baron Localize $3.1M 29 12 years Brandon Paton

DriveKind Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available

Testfire Labs <$5M <25 8 years David Damer

Zept <$5M 6 8 years Gregg Oldring

G2V Optics Not Available Not Available Not Available Sabine Scandola

Aris MD $930K 6 8 years Chandra Devam

AltaThera $7M 45 16 years Not Available

C-Tribe Festival $386K Not Available 8 years Not Available MyStrengthBook $500K 9 9 years Avi Silverberg

True Angle $4.5M 10 8 years Jana Rieger

OneSoft Solutions $7.57M Not Available 9 years Dwayne Kushniruk

BioNeutra $27M 27 20 years Jianhua Zhu

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Here’s a list of thoughtful and structured questions for a 45-minute Customer Discovery Interview with your NAIT Entrepreneurship students. The questions are designed to explore their needs, perceptions, and potential engagement with the program:

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

This structure allocates time efficiently while encouraging rich discussions. You could adjust the timing or focus based on the group's dynamics. Let me know if you'd like further support!

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Here's a structured list of questions designed for a 45-minute Customer Discovery Interview with startup founders. These questions aim to uncover their needs, preferences, and potential engagement with the NAIT Entrepreneurship Co-op Program:

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you tell me about your startup's journey? How did it evolve to where it is today?

2. What are the primary challenges your startup is currently facing in terms of growth or operations?

Understanding Current Practices (10 minutes)

3. Do you currently hire interns or collaborate with students? Why or why not?

4. If you’ve worked with interns before, what worked well, and what could have been improved?

5. How do you currently address gaps in operational capacity or expertise within your team?

Evaluating Program Fit (10 minutes)

6. What value could you see in participating in a program that pairs startups with entrepreneurship students?

7. How do you feel about the program focusing on startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Would this align with your company's needs?

8. Would a 4-month internship be the right duration to derive value from student contributions? Why or why not?

9. What kind of support or training would you expect from NAIT to ensure the students are well-prepared for the internship?

Defining Expectations (10 minutes)

10. What specific roles or tasks do you think a student could take on within your startup?

11. Are there particular skills or qualities you’d prioritize in a student intern for your business?

12. How would you envision mentoring a student during the internship? What level of involvement would be realistic for you and your team?

Feedback on Program Structure (5 minutes)

13. How do you feel about the idea of a matching process 3 months prior to the program's start? Would this work well for your hiring timeline?

14. Would you be willing to pay a participation fee to cover program costs or access value-added services like workshops? If so, what would you consider reasonable?

Closing Questions (5 minutes)

15. What might make you hesitant to participate in this program?

16. Would you see this program as a long-term partnership opportunity with NAIT?

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share about how this program could better serve startups like yours?

This interview plan ensures an engaging discussion and allows you to gather valuable insights from startup founders. Let me know if you'd like to refine this further!

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Industry expert --> Edmonton Unlimited - experts on demand

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (4%)

movement 51

Startup TNT

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Early stage venture studio - verbage

Q1 - what core skill sets are co looking for to enable growth (for capital or customer base)

Compensation for students

Compensation for those orgs that participate

Federal focus of supporting start up in Canada

Student Founders Program (thru grant mac, u of a, Nait). Expose student to ENTR enviro - then they will build their own overtime (investment)

MITACS - ability to

Fed government - next Amazon in Canada

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do we have to focus on NAIT ENTR only?

Could we build bigger?

Co - Student $15K Mitacs

AB Innovates gives 10K expert

under $1MM revenue (growth business)

how big market is, what the market could look like

Jeff Shon - Riya's ENTR in Residence executive ENTR in Res

EIR (Exec in Res) 6 people floating (jeff venture capital) IP - Tristan Social impact --> Expert Advice --> can vet companies

EOD (experts on Demand) $10K

Partial ownership with Corporate (equity in companies they like).

Enough choice - for investors - Carima board chair for IP Ontario

Mars discovery district

J Labs

Blaine

MOD Squad - Blue Sky Equities??

Investor Community

Yaletown

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startup VP - current knowledge in areas that could be overlooked by a start up

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providing a safe and supporting environment - vetting the employers

match details important

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Flesh out a proposal format with MITACS format

background - data on successful programs out there

works, doesn't work what is different

North Star - Jobber, Alta

Meeting with Start ups - Run with it Synthetics

Start up TNT - Fire safe AI, Spectra (Teck Thursday). Paul Bakhmut

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MITACS Insights

strong collaboration -

focus on technology adoption

large language models to address organization need - automate processes

Exposure to really successful - might be Start Up TNT

Formal engagement piece

industry players

Less than 5 - 10 employees

Founders and CEOs

Value Proposition - reaching out what are there key needs in advance

13 students in data analytics or accounting skills - getting buy

project development

Spoke to John - really structured

Kennedy - coop terms - who might be --> soft ask --> pilot with smaller group

Standard - BSI Program - innovation oriented programs - data to accounting... use existing --> solve some critical challenges

Standard proposal template

soft advice --> really successful - very detailed guide for the

proposal guide for section on how benefits

goes through a peer review

key barrier - within the scope - ask for a revision request, could delay

13 frameworks - 13 soft deadlines - first draft, when deadline for internship recruitment

TBA intern - round of interviews

6-10 weeks to

only been approved

Partner 7500

MITACS 7500

$15000 total

May 1 - submit mid-February

Project proposal development

1) without co-op students - Industry contacts

2) Found student with partner X - write proposal - then submit, more onus on student to

John 100+ internships

How to pitch it, what is the value add, working FT equivalent - flexible schedule

Find a burning challenge PAIN POINT

filter information from co-op databases

Who really has a significant innovation challenge and is serious

consider a bit larger up to 20 employees

Edmonton is hot-bed for Medical Technologies (Med Tech)

AltaML

NEXT Steps 1)

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Here’s a structured list of Customer Discovery Interview Questions for start-up industry experts who might be potential partners for the NAIT Entrepreneurship Co-op Program. These questions will explore their insights on entrepreneurship, startup dynamics, and the feasibility of this program.

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you share your background and experience in the startup ecosystem?

2. What trends do you see in the Edmonton startup scene that impact early-stage companies?

3. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges startups face in their third to fifth year of operations?

Understanding Industry Needs & Gaps (10 minutes)

4. How do startups typically find and develop entrepreneurial talent?

5. What gaps exist in current talent development for startups? Would a program like this help fill those gaps?

6. How do startups balance mentorship and operational demands when working with interns or junior employees?

7. What skills or competencies do entrepreneurial students lack when entering the workforce or startup ecosystem?

Evaluating Program Feasibility & Design (10 minutes)

8. How do you feel about a 4-month entrepreneurship internship model? Would this timeframe be effective?

9. From your experience, what would make a student-startup matching process successful?

10. Do you think startups would benefit more from students focused on specific roles (e.g., marketing, finance, operations) or broader entrepreneurial exposure?

11. What support or guidance should NAIT provide to ensure students add real value to participating startups?

Value for Startups & Industry Collaboration (10 minutes)

12. If implemented well, what do you think startups could gain from participating in this program?

13. Are there specific industries where this type of student internship would be more impactful?

14. Would you see value in industry experts like yourself mentoring or engaging with these students? If so, what format would work best (e.g., workshops, networking events, advising sessions)?

Final Recommendations & Barriers (10 minutes)

15. What might discourage startups from joining a program like this? How could those concerns be addressed?

16. Could this program help strengthen Edmonton’s startup ecosystem? If so, in what ways?

17. How can industry experts, incubators, or accelerators support the success of this co-op initiative?

18. Do you have any final recommendations for optimizing the program before launch?

Wrap-Up & Closing (Final minutes)

19. Would you be interested in participating in or supporting this program? Why or why not?

20. Is there anything we haven’t discussed that you think is critical for the success of this initiative?

This structured approach ensures deep insights while keeping the conversation focused and engaging. Let me know if you'd like to refine any areas!

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Draft proposal for the NAIT Entrepreneurship Student Co-op Program, following the structure of the BSI Project Proposal Template.

NAIT Entrepreneurship Student Co-op Program Proposal

Business Strategy Internship (BSI)

1. Declarations

Conflict of Interest (COI): No conflicts of interest have been identified among interns, academic supervisors, or partner organizations.

Indigenous Engagement: The program will actively explore partnerships with Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations to support student learning opportunities.

Innovation Areas Impacted:

☑ Product Innovation

☑ Process Innovation

☑ Organizational Innovation

2. Project Details

2.1 Project Description

2.1.a Background (What problem needs to be solved?)

The NAIT Entrepreneurship Student Co-op Program aims to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial education and practical experience. Many students graduate with theoretical knowledge but lack real-world startup experience, making it challenging to transition into entrepreneurship or leadership roles in emerging businesses.

Additionally, Edmonton-based startups face talent shortages in key operational areas, needing affordable and motivated individuals who understand entrepreneurial environments. This program creates an innovative, mutually beneficial collaboration between students and startups to address these challenges.

2.1.b Objectives and Approach (How will the problem be solved?)

Objectives:

1. Provide hands-on entrepreneurial experience to students.

2. Support local startups with fresh talent and innovative problem-solving.

3. Foster long-term relationships between NAIT, startups, and students.

Approach:

Student-Startup Matching: Pair 10 students with 10 startups 3 months before the internship starts (February 2026).

4-Month Full-Time Internships (May–August 2026): Interns work on business strategy, marketing, operations, and innovation projects within their assigned startups.

Mentorship & Workshops: Regular check-ins, mentor guidance, and bi-weekly workshops to enhance skill development.

Final Project Presentations: Interns showcase contributions at a closing event in August 2026.

2.1.c Timeline (Who will solve the problem and how much effort will be required?)

Phase Timeline Key Activities

Matching Feb 2026

Startup outreach, student applications, interview process

Internship Start May 2026

Orientation, onboarding, goal setting

Internship Execution May–Aug 2026

Hands-on startup work, mentorship, progress tracking

Wrap-Up & Showcase Aug 2026

Final reports, presentations, reflection sessions

2.1.d Deliverables (What does success look like?)

Business Strategy Reports: Students provide actionable recommendations for their startups.

Operational Support & Process Innovations: Students actively contribute to key business functions.

Networking & Career Growth: Strong relationships between startups and students.

Final Presentations: Demonstration of impact and learning outcomes.

2.2 Internship Benefits

2.2.a Benefits and Impacts to Canada

This program contributes to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by fostering the next generation of startup leaders. It promotes economic growth, strengthens Edmonton’s innovation sector, and enables students to gain valuable experience that supports job creation and business success.

2.2.b Benefits to the Intern(s)

Interns will:

Gain firsthand startup experience in real-world settings.

Expand their networks within Edmonton’s entrepreneurial community.

Develop key skills in business strategy, decision-making, project management, and creative thinking.

Increase their employment prospects with tangible work experience.

2.3 Internship Environment

2.3.a Academic Internship Environment

Supervision: NAIT faculty will provide mentorship through bi-weekly virtual and in-person meetings.

Resources: NAIT will offer workspace access, networking events, and expert-led workshops to support learning.

2.3.b Partner Internship Environment

Internship Mode: Hybrid (Onsite & Virtual) depending on startup operations.

Interactions: Interns will work closely with startup founders, participate in team meetings, and receive mentorship.

Facilities: Interns will have access to co-working spaces, startup offices, and digital tools for collaboration.

2.4 Past/Other Mitacs Projects

This program is new, but aligns with NAIT’s existing entrepreneurship initiatives.

2.5 Engagement with Indigenous Communities or Partners (If Applicable)

Collaboration with Indigenous-owned startups will be explored.

Opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to participate in mentorship roles.

Inclusion of Indigenous business strategies in workshops.

2.6 Intellectual Property (If Applicable)

The program will focus on business strategy development rather than IP creation. However, any startup-related innovations or business models developed by interns will remain the property of the participating startups.

2.7 References / Sources (If Applicable)

NAIT Entrepreneurship Program Guidelines

Startup Edmonton Community Reports

Mitacs Internship Framework

Conclusion

The NAIT Entrepreneurship Student Co-op Program is a high-impact initiative that will equip students with real-world startup experience, support Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and create long-term benefits for both students and startups.

Next Steps:

Secure startup partners & finalize student recruitment.

Launch internship matching process (Feb 2026).

Execute full internship cycle (May–Aug 2026).

Evaluate program effectiveness and plan future iterations.

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Absolutely! Here’s an updated NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program outline incorporating Experts on Demand from Edmonton Unlimited to provide additional mentorship and support.

NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (May–August 2026)

Program Overview

This program connects 20 NAIT Entrepreneurship students with 20 Edmonton-based startups for a 4-month hands-on internship experience. The Experts on Demand initiative from Edmonton Unlimited will provide students with industry-specific mentorship, ensuring they gain high-quality guidance throughout their internship.

Program Objectives

1. Skill Development: Equip students with real-world entrepreneurial experience.

2. Networking & Mentorship: Connect students with startup founders and industry experts.

3. Mutual Growth: Enable startups to benefit from fresh perspectives while students gain practical business insights.

Updated Program Timeline

February 2026: Matching Process

Student-Startup Matching: Completed 3 months before the internship begins.

Networking Events: Students meet potential startup partners.

Finalized Pairings: Based on mutual interests and goals.

May–August 2026: Internship Work

Full-Time Internship: Students work directly with startups for 4 months.

Key Activities:

Assisting with business operations (marketing, finance, customer engagement).

Developing innovative solutions for startup challenges.

Participating in team meetings and strategy sessions.

Experts on Demand Support:

Students gain up to 100 hours of fractional support from industry experts.

Experts provide structured mentorship, helping students refine their business strategies.

Regular check-ins ensure students receive guidance on key challenges.

August 2026: Wrap-Up & Presentation

Final Project Preparation: Students compile their learnings and contributions.

Closing Ceremony:

Students present their projects to startups, peers, and NAIT faculty.

Certificates of completion awarded.

Program Logistics

Eligibility Criteria for Startups

Based in Edmonton.

Operating for 3–5 years.

Employing 5–25 staff members.

Student Requirements

Enrolled in the NAIT Entrepreneurship Program.

Available full-time for May–August.

Program Support

NAIT coordinators oversee progress and provide guidance.

Experts on Demand mentors offer specialized industry insights.

Regular workshops and networking events enhance learning.

Benefits

For Students

Gain hands-on startup experience.

Receive mentorship from industry experts.

Build valuable connections in Edmonton’s startup ecosystem.

For Startups

Access enthusiastic talent with fresh ideas.

Benefit from structured mentorship through Experts on Demand.

Strengthen Edmonton’s entrepreneurial community.

Conclusion

By integrating Experts on Demand, this program ensures students receive high-quality mentorship, real-world experience, and valuable industry connections.

Does this updated structure align with your vision? Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

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Connecting growth-stage companies with experienced business experts for up to 100 hours to craft tailored projects in order to deliver essential results for founders’ needs.

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Nadim (VMS)

Include students in Edmonton Start-up Eco-system activities (Start-up TNT, Edmonton Unlimited, etc.) - don't reinvent the wheel

Is there a tangible skill they can apply to the business (Google Ads partnership example)

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

Created his own Goaltending Program in the US Midwest

Currently, the NAIT Women's Head Hockey Coach

Works with Derek Club - implemented new golf tracking system for men's league (adopted from California-based program)

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

TBD

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

Likes the idea, would consider applying

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

Interested in an experience where he is learning new skills and is challenged

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

Yes

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

Sport performance, however, another completely new field would be interesting as well

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

Larger view of start up process

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

Very important... TBD

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

Yes, TBD

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

Scheduling conflicts with side activities (coaching program in US - 2 weeks).

Part-time job responsiblities

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

TBD

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

TBD

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

TBD

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

TBD

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

Yes

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

Hands on experience and connections

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

TBD

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750 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

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Intro (5 minutes)

1. Your startup's journey?

2. Challenges for growth or operations?

Understanding Current Practices (10 minutes)

3. Do you currently hire students?

4. If so, what worked well, or could be improved?

5. How do you address gaps in capacity or expertise for your team?

Evaluating Program Fit (10 minutes)

6. What value could you see in an Entrepreneurship Intern Program?

7. How do you feel about the program focusing on startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees?

8. Would a 4-month internship be the right duration?

9. What support could NAIT offer to prep students for the internship?

Defining Expectations (10 minutes)

10. What roles could a student take on?

11. What skills would you prioritize?

12. What level of involvement would be realistic for you and your team?

Feedback on Program Structure (5 minutes)

13. How do you feel about the idea of a matching process 3 months prior to the program's start? Would this work well for your hiring timeline?

14. Would you be willing to pay a participation fee to cover program costs?

Closing Questions (5 minutes)

15. What might make you hesitant to participate in this program?

16. Would you see this program as a long-term partnership opportunity with NAIT?

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share about how this program could better serve startups like yours?

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Here’s a Stakeholder Analysis for the NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (May–August 2026). This analysis identifies key stakeholders, their roles, interests, and potential influence on the program’s success.

Stakeholder Analysis Table

Stakeholder Role in the Program Interests & Expectations Level of Influence NAIT Students (Interns) Primary participants; work with startups Hands-on learning, networking, career growth, mentorship High

Edmonton-Based Startups Provide internships, mentorship, business challenges Access to talent, innovative ideas, operational support High

NAIT Faculty & Coordinators Program design, oversight, mentorship Student success, maintaining educational quality High

Experts on Demand (Edmonton Unlimited) Mentorship support Sharing industry expertise, guiding students Medium

NAIT Administration Institutional support & funding Successful program implementation, reputation building Medium

Startup Incubators (e.g., Startup Edmonton) Connection point for startups Strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystem Medium

Government & Funding Organizations (e.g., Mitacs, municipal bodies) Potential funding support & policy alignment Workforce development, innovation growth Medium

Alumni & Entrepreneurs Advisors, guest speakers, potential mentors Supporting NAIT’s entrepreneurial community Medium Local Business Community Hosts networking events, collaboration Strengthening talent pipeline, local business growth Low-Medium

Students’ Future Employers Potential post-program employers Access to experienced young talent Low

Edmonton Public & Media Promote program success, outreach Economic impact, local innovation stories Low

Stakeholder Influence & Engagement Strategy

High-Influence Stakeholders (Require direct engagement)

NAIT Students & Startups: Ensure clear expectations, structured mentorship, and productive collaboration.

NAIT Faculty & Coordinators: Maintain consistent communication and oversight of student experiences.

Medium-Influence Stakeholders (Engage through strategic partnerships)

Experts on Demand: Provide structured mentorship and fractional support.

Startup Incubators & Alumni: Help recruit startups and promote student engagement.

Government & Funding Bodies: Secure financial support and align with innovation policies.

Low-Influence Stakeholders (Engage via marketing and outreach)

Local business community & media: Promote success stories to increase visibility.

Future employers: Strengthen pathways for post-internship hiring.

Here’s how the Power-Interest Grid would categorize stakeholders in the NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (May–August 2026). The grid helps prioritize engagement strategies based on power (influence over the program) and interest (level of involvement or concern).

Power-Interest Grid Categories

1. High Power, High Interest (Manage Closely)

NAIT Faculty & Coordinators (Program oversight & student guidance)

NAIT Students (Interns) (Key participants & beneficiaries)

Edmonton-Based Startups (Primary program partners)

2. High Power, Low Interest (Keep Satisfied)

NAIT Administration (Institutional support & funding decisions)

Government & Funding Organizations (e.g., Mitacs, municipal bodies) (Potential financial backing)

3. Low Power, High Interest (Keep Informed)

Experts on Demand (Edmonton Unlimited) (Fractional mentorship support)

Startup Incubators (e.g., Startup Edmonton) (Connecting startups & resources)

Alumni & Entrepreneurs (Advisors & potential mentors)

4. Low Power, Low Interest (Monitor)

Local Business Community (General industry engagement)

Students’ Future Employers (Potential post-program hiring opportunities)

Edmonton Public & Media (Program promotion & awareness)

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Here are key performance metrics to evaluate the success of the NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program:

1. Student Success & Learning Outcomes

Intern Satisfaction Rate (Survey & Feedback Scores)

Skill Development Progress (Self-assessment before vs. after internship)

Employment Outcomes (Percentage of interns hired post-internship)

2. Startup Engagement & Value Added

Startup Satisfaction Rate (Feedback from participating companies)

Student Contributions (Reports on business impact, new processes implemented)

Retention Rate (Percentage of startups returning for future internships)

3. Mentorship Impact (Experts on Demand)

Hours of Expert Engagement (Tracking mentorship sessions provided)

Quality of Mentorship (Feedback from students on expert support)

Success Stories (Examples of strategic improvements made due to expert guidance)

4. Networking & Long-Term Connections

Student-Startup Relationship Continuity (Tracking long-term engagements post-internship)

Industry Partnerships Formed (New collaborations created due to the program)

LinkedIn Network Growth (Students & startups expanding their professional connections)

5. Program Effectiveness & Operational Efficiency

Matching Success Rate (Percentage of successful student-startup pairings)

Completion Rate (Number of students completing the program successfully)

Cost-Benefit Analysis (Funding vs. tangible impact on startups & students)

6. Community & Economic Impact

Startup Revenue Growth (Tracking financial impact for participating startups)

Local Business Engagement (Number of Edmonton-based businesses supporting the initiative)

Media & Public Awareness (Coverage in local and industry news)

Here’s a ranking of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program, ordered from most to least important based on their impact on program success:

1. Student Success & Learning Outcomes (Most Important)

Intern Satisfaction Rate

Skill Development Progress

Employment Outcomes Post-Internship

2. Startup Engagement & Value Added

Startup Satisfaction Rate

Student Contributions to Startup Growth

Retention Rate of Participating Startups

3. Mentorship Impact (Experts on Demand)

Hours of Expert Engagement Provided

Quality of Mentorship & Guidance

Startup Improvements Made Due to Mentorship

4. Networking & Long-Term Connections

Student-Startup Relationship Continuity

Industry Partnerships Formed

LinkedIn & Professional Network Growth

5. Program Effectiveness & Operational Efficiency

Matching Success Rate

Internship Completion Rate

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Program Impact

6. Community & Economic Impact (Least Important but Still Valuable)

Startup Revenue Growth Post-Internship

Local Business & Ecosystem Engagement

Media Coverage & Public Awareness

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Here’s the revised NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (May–August 2026), incorporating best-in-class strategies and structured to match 10 students with 10 established Edmonton-based startups that have been in business for 3 to 5 years with 5 to 25 employees.

NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (May–August 2026)

Program Overview

This 4-month immersive internship connects entrepreneurial students with scaling startups, providing hands-on experience, mentorship, and strategic business exposure.

Key Enhancements from Best-in-Class Programs

✅ Extended Internship Duration – A full 16-week placement ensures students deeply integrate into startup operations.
✅ Selective Startup Matching – Interns are placed in scale-up startups (3–5 years old, 5–25 employees) for real-world business exposure.
✅ High-Touch Mentorship – Structured guidance from Edmonton Unlimited’s Experts on Demand ensures student success.
✅ Cross-Industry Startup Participation – Includes tech, AI, fintech, clean energy, creative industries, and biotech.
✅ Funding Support for Startups & Interns – Financial incentives ensure startups can host interns sustainably.
✅ Investor & Industry Networking – Final capstone showcase connects students, startups, and investors for potential post-internship opportunities.

Program Structure & Weekly Breakdown

Weeks 1–4: Onboarding & Training

📌 Student & Startup Matching – Interns are paired with best-fit startups based on skills and industry interests.
📌 Foundations of Entrepreneurship Workshop – Covers scaling strategies, lean startup methods, and early-stage business operations.
📌 Technical Training & Skill Development – Includes sessions on business modeling, UX/UI, digital marketing, financial strategy, and fundraising.
📌 Industry Immersion & Startup Site Visits – Interns tour different Edmonton startup hubs for exposure to growth-stage companies.

Weeks 5–12: Full-Time Internship & Mentorship

📌 Hands-On Startup Integration – Interns work directly with startup founders on business development, operations, and scaling strategies.
📌 Weekly Mentorship Meetings – Access to 100 hours of structured mentorship from entrepreneurs and investors.
📌 Startup Impact Projects – Each intern leads a critical business project, such as market expansion, automation implementation, or funding strategy.
📌 Midpoint Progress Review & Industry Networking – A roundtable discussion where interns and startups assess progress and adjust strategies.

Weeks 13–16: Advanced Learning & Capstone Showcase

📌 Startup Scale-Up Masterclass – Advanced sessions on fundraising, VC pitching, growth hacking, and leadership.
📌 Investor & Industry Showcase – Students pitch internship-driven startup solutions to investors, stakeholders, and Edmonton business leaders.
📌 Alumni Networking & Career Pathway Support – Connections to future startup employment, accelerators, and investment opportunities.
📌 Final Internship Review & Certification – Recognition of internship achievements with industry-backed certification.

Key Program Enhancements

✅ Hands-on Startup Experience – Students work on real business challenges rather than performing basic tasks.
✅ Mentorship from Industry Experts – Weekly guidance from Edmonton Unlimited and experienced entrepreneurs.
✅ Funding Support & Sustainability – Grants help startups retain interns while expanding business capacity.
✅ Industry-Specific Focus – Exposure to AI, fintech, biotech, clean energy, and creative startups.
✅ Long-Term Impact for Students & Startups – Interns develop critical business solutions that startups implement post-internship.

Conclusion

This revised program ensures students gain deep immersion, mentorship, hands-on learning, and startup exposure, while startups benefit from fresh talent, industry networking, and financial support.

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When designing an entrepreneurship internship program, it's important to consider statistical trends and market forces that impact startup success and student engagement. Here are key areas to observe:

1. Startup Growth & Survival Rates

📊 Startup Failure Rates – About 50% of startups fail within five years, so selecting scale-up startups (3–5 years old) improves internship stability.
📊 High-Growth Firm Trends – Programs should focus on startups with strong revenue growth, as they offer better learning experiences.

2. Industry-Specific Trends

🚀 Tech & AI Startups – AI-driven businesses are growing rapidly, making AI-focused internships highly valuable.
🚀 Sustainability & Clean Tech – Green startups are attracting government funding, making them ideal partners for internship programs.
🚀 Fintech & E-Commerce – Digital finance and online retail startups are expanding globally, offering cross-border learning opportunities.

3. Entrepreneurship Education & Skill Demand

📈 Demand for Digital & Business Skills – Interns should gain experience in automation, UX/UI, financial modeling, and growth hacking.
📈 Mentorship & Networking Impact – Programs with structured mentorship see higher student success rates.
📈 Funding & Sustainability Models – Programs with corporate sponsorships and government grants last longer and scale more effectively.

4. Economic & Investment Forces

💰 Venture Capital & Startup Funding Trends – Programs should align with industries attracting VC investment, ensuring interns work with financially stable startups.
💰 Government Incentives for Startups – Leveraging tax credits and funding programs can help startups afford interns.
💰 Global Expansion & Remote Work – Many startups operate remotely or internationally, so programs should offer hybrid internship models.

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Small Business Tourism and Marketplace Services

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Determinants of Entrepreneurship in Canada: State of Knowledge

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This series of indicators is designed to provide a brief overview of each of the selected determinants as part of the framework.

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To mitigate key trends and market forces affecting entrepreneurship internship programs, consider these strategies:

1. Startup Stability & Long-Term Engagement

✅ Focus on Scale-Up Startups – Select startups that have proven revenue growth, minimizing the risk of early-stage failures.
✅ Diversified Industry Partnerships – Engage startups across AI, fintech, clean tech, biotech, and e-commerce to reduce sector-specific downturn risks.
✅ Ongoing Support for Startups – Offer mentorship, networking, and funding options to help participating startups succeed.

2. Addressing Shifting Industry Trends

🚀 Stay Ahead of Emerging Markets – Continuously track high-growth sectors and adjust internship placements accordingly.
🚀 Integrate New Technologies – Train students in AI, automation, data science, and digital platforms to ensure relevance.
🚀 Flexible Internship Models – Offer hybrid or international startup placements to adapt to remote work and global opportunities.

3. Sustaining Financial Viability

💰 Multi-Source Funding Strategy – Combine grants, corporate sponsorships, startup-backed contributions, and alumni donations.
💰 Revenue-Generating Initiatives – Develop consulting projects, startup membership fees, and accelerator collaborations for program sustainability.
💰 Government Incentives & Tax Benefits – Secure internship tax credits and municipal funding to offset program costs.

4. Enhancing Mentorship & Skill Development

🤝 Structured Mentorship Programs – Leverage Edmonton Unlimited’s Experts on Demand for ongoing industry guidance.
🤝 Advanced Training & Upskilling – Provide workshops on venture funding, growth hacking, and startup automation.
🤝 Alumni & Industry Networking – Build long-term mentorship networks for students and startups.

By integrating flexibility, funding diversity, industry foresight, and mentorship, NAIT’s internship program can anticipate trends, minimize risks, and ensure long-term success.

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Here’s a list of thoughtful and structured questions for a 45-minute Customer Discovery Interview with your NAIT Entrepreneurship students. The questions are designed to explore their needs, perceptions, and potential engagement with the program:

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

exterior cleaning - PT cleaning - weekday mornings windows

zero to one hockey

Dave Muddle - friend of personal business mentor

training side of hockey - always interested

work with the sales team - Ethan/front desk, flood ice, sharpen skates

just windows - perfer a leadership role - take the reins, playing on going through futurepreneur - cleaning windows wasn't something I was passionate about

Did a ENTR Co-op with landscaping company - he had 7 employees - 2 sides lawn care and landscaping - knew Ethans work ethic - scheduling leading the crews Pro-grade landscapes

Kennedy the program is better than expected

big training facility for high performance athletes

$900K topline revenue

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

depends on student

naturally introverted - but was pushed in to extroverted customer interactions and sales

Place to mature

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

really enjoyed my experience

having owner around really helps - important to learn that story

everyone thinks everyone starts big - the grind story

might be a benefit to work at the same and not change

If I didn't feel I couldn't do my

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

perfect side - might like a little smaller with more responsibility (could be in the middle)

if they are willing to give you responsibility

make sure you match well

clear interests and work aligned

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

could be but a longer option in future would be good

was good enough for me - depend on the project scope

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

athletics industry - developing athletes

technology in athletics is very interesting

construction tech is very interesting - not as interested but understand the value

clean tech and AI not my jam but interesting

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

learning how to sell a service - if you don't have sales skills you won't have a business

organization culture building important - most successful teams - didn't have most skilled, more about how the team meshed together - want to be there not have to be there

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

If you know what you want to do

passion is athletics

10 out of 10

potential employers number 1

similar space that you'd like to start

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

didn't get a ton of one on one

meet with business mentor on monthly basis - think about how to get to where want to be

bi- weekly is enough (don't want to be spending all this time prepping

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

hockey was over... was able to commit fully to the program

so maybe a week off

I don't burn out so I could be full on

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

having the business interview and make offers

getting told where to go

want to have more say

you place them as a last resort

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

orientation

one week would be better - week if not paid

student got $12.5, $2.5K

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

final review or report instead of final presentation

you could look back on it

give the option

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

This structure allocates time efficiently while encouraging rich discussions. You could adjust the timing or focus based on the group's dynamics. Let me know if you'd like further support!

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Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business

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Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) Program - what you need to know!

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Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) | Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business | University of Waterloo

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Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) is a specialized co-op program supporting junior Waterloo co-op students and early-stage start-ups.

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Here’s a concise summary of the Waterloo BETS (Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students) program based on your notes:

Program Overview:

Target Audience: First work-term students (mostly 1st years), with ~90% from Engineering and Math.

Duration: 15 weeks (includes 1 buffer week); originally 4 weeks, now expanded to 12 weeks plus ignition and wrap-up.

Structure:

Ignition Week: Includes onboarding, WHMIS training, and matching with startup companies.

Weekly Components: Check-ins via Slack, coaching, mentorship, project updates, events, and technical sessions.

Midterm and Final Evaluations: Both students and employers complete evaluations.

Talent Reflection: At the start and end of the term, students reflect on skills gained and interview readiness.

Funding Model:

$6,000 per student total:

$3,000 from university faculties/departments.

$3,000 from startup companies (companies receive two students—never just one).

Sliding Scale Option: Some use $10K for four months, split between sources (e.g., $5K + $5K).

Faculty Participation: All 6 faculties contribute; e.g., Engineering & Math fund up to 5 students, Science & Arts fund 3.

Companies & Matching:

Startup Profiles: Companies apply, provide incorporation info, project outlines, and required skillsets.

Matching Process: BETS team handles back-end matching; students rank preferences; interviews with new companies.

Company Profile: Startups are typically pre-revenue and need help with core tasks like data, support, and product work.

Some companies return annually (3+ years), a few reach Series A.

Student Profile & Outcomes:

Applicants: 150 applicants for ~60 spots.

Interdisciplinary Teams: Emphasized, but most students are from engineering.

Skillset: Generalists preferred; technical ability strong, but coaching focuses on adaptability and growth.

Student Development:

Build technical and soft skills.

Create/submit: CV, cover letter, GitHub, video interview, motivation for applying.

Some go on to be co-founders, join E-coop, or work in innovation programs like MITACS.

Program Support & Management:

Mentorship: Weekly check-ins required; additional informal mentorship from startup team members.

Coaching: For students who feel underutilized; taught how to ask for more responsibility.

BETS Team:

Coordinator (20 hrs/week): Handles matching and student-company ranking.

Director: Manages company relationships and ignition week logistics.

Challenges:

Technically "unpaid" though students receive $3K.

Teaching technical skills in a short time is difficult.

Funding sustainability, especially with scaling interest.

Tight funding limits technical workshop offerings.

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Week 1

The first week of the placement term is an exclusive and intensive 40-hour training program.  Students are expected to participate actively, contribute to group activities and discussion, and develop learning goals for the term. Training topics include:

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

Innovation Processes

Networking Processes

Sales and Marketing

Introductory technical sessions such as HTML & CSS, or Javascript

User experience and design thinking

Goal setting and dashboards for professional development

Weeks 2 to 14 (Placements)

Student teams of two (2) will be assigned to work for a company for a project-based placement, matched by the BETS Coordinator on the basis of student skill set and identified learning goals.

Potential placement tasks for students include:

Assisting with web or mobile app development

Improving and iterating an existing user interface

Market research, data analysis/reporting and customer discovery

Marketing strategy and content creation

Prototype development and testing (breadboarding, working with hardware, 3D printing)

Support for all areas of accounting, financial, and performance management

General accounting and office administrative work

Managerial and financial reporting, business/financial modelling to support budgeting and project decision-making

Projects related to internal control and performance management metrics

Market/client research and sales support activities

Four tips for students applying to the BETS

If you are applying (or interviewing) for the BETS program, consider the following to strengthen your application:

1. Learn about the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business and the programs offered by the school

2. Share work or projects completed outside of class time (visual art portfolio, GitHub link, personal website, samples of creative or journalistic writing)

3. List extracurricular events you have attended (or organized) and professional development activities such as conferences, hackathons, business plan competitions, or leadership training

4. Learn about the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and think about why you would like to gain experience working in a startup

The Conrad School is grateful to The Esch Foundation for its generous support of the BETS program.

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Here are 10 potential sponsors similar to the Esch Foundation that could support the NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program:

1. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Focuses on entrepreneurship education, startup funding, and ecosystem development.

Provides grants for entrepreneurial programs and startup incubators.

2. Blackstone Charitable Foundation

Invests in entrepreneurship and innovation programs.

Runs the Blackstone LaunchPad initiative, supporting student startups.

3. Skoll Foundation

Funds social entrepreneurship initiatives and impact-driven startups.

Supports programs that scale innovative business solutions.

4. RBC Future Launch

Provides funding for youth entrepreneurship and skill development.

Supports internship and mentorship programs for students.

5. TD Ready Commitment

Invests in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business innovation.

Funds programs that help startups grow and scale.

6. Google for Startups

Offers funding, mentorship, and technical support for early-stage startups.

Provides grants and accelerator programs for student entrepreneurs.

7. BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada)

Supports Canadian startups with funding, mentorship, and business advisory services.

Provides grants and loans for entrepreneurship programs.

8. MaRS Discovery District

Funds startup incubators and entrepreneurship education.

Provides mentorship and networking opportunities for student entrepreneurs.

9. Shopify Build a Business Program

Supports e-commerce startups and student entrepreneurs.

Provides funding, mentorship, and business development resources.

10. Edmonton Community Foundation

Invests in local business development and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Provides grants for startup incubators and innovation programs.

These organizations could be strong funding partners for NAIT’s internship program, helping scale student entrepreneurship and startup engagement.

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The Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) program places two University of Waterloo junior co-op students with your company for a 14-week project-based placement.

This program, intended for early-stage companies that are unable to hire full-time 16-week co-ops, provides access to students who can help you achieve short-term business objectives through a 14-week placement. Because BETS are in teams of two people, onboarding and learning are accelerated, allowing the students to dive into new projects quickly.

Potential placement tasks include:

Assisting with web or mobile app development

Improving and iterating an existing user interface

Market research, data analysis/reporting and customer discovery

Marketing strategy and content creation

Prototype development and testing (breadboarding, working with hardware, 3D printing)

General accounting and office administrative work

Support for all areas of accounting, financial, and performance management

Office administrative work and sales support activities

Eligibility

Placements can be in-person, virtual or hybrid.

Companies located in Canada are invited to apply.

The application and interview process

Interested companies are asked to complete the employer application using this link.

Applications will be reviewed by the BETS Coordinator; selected companies will be contacted for a short interview.

A maximum of 30 companies will be selected; completion of an application and interview does not guarantee a student placement with your company. The process is competitive, and we are looking for placements that will provide students with the greatest learning experience and positive impact on your business objectives during that time.

Students are matched with successful placement companies on the basis of project requirements and student skill set.

Costs to partner companies

Companies are asked to pay a $3,000 fee per team (2 students) for a 14-week placement.

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Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) Employer Applications - Spring 2025

Contact Information

1.Email

2.Primary Contact Name

3.Primary Contact Job Title

4.Phone NumberRequired

Company Information

5.Company Name

6.Billing Address

7.Website

8.Year Established

9.Are you incorporated or registered?

Yes

No

10.Is your company covered by WSIB?

Yes

No

11.Industry/Sector

12.Number of full time employees

13.Number of part time employees

14.Have you hired BETS students in the past?

Yes

No

15.Are you currently employing co-op students?

Yes

No

16.Please list any support programs, incubators, or accelerators with which your startup is affiliated:

17.Do you prefer students work

In-person

Virtual

Hybrid

18.If in-person or hybrid can you provide space for the student to work?

Yes

No

19.Student workspace location and address (if in-person or hybrid)

20.The $3,000 cost to employers covers 2 students for 14 weeks, if available, would you be interested in hiring more than 2 students?

Yes

No

21.Please provide a brief description of your company

22.Please list all business objectives or milestones you hope to reach with the help of the BETS student team within a 14-week placement.

23.Please provide descriptions for all projects (including deliverables) on which the BETS students will be working.

24.Please list all of the desired skills for your projects.
Multiple responses allowed.

Marketing Research

Marketing Assistance

Social Media Management

Sales

Technical Research

HTML & CSS

CAD Modeling

GITHUB

UX Design

UI Design

APP Development

JAVA

PYTHON

C++

Graphic Design

Content Writing

Excel

Presentation Preparation

25.Prior to the placement at your company, students will have the opportunity to participate in project specific training. If you have any suggestions or preferences on the training you would like them to complete, please list it here:

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Cristen Brown, MBET - Manager, Outreach and Intl Programs

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Cristen Brown, MBET - Manager, Outreach and Intl Programs

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She/Her 2nd degree connection2nd

Manager, Outreach and International Programs

Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business

University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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750 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

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I was hoping to connect with you to find out more about your BETS program. It looks amazing.

At NAIT JR School of Business, our Associate Dean and I are brainstorming how to build a NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program, and I would love to better understand how your team built out BETS.

Would you happen to have time to meet on a video call to discuss?

Thanks for your time.

Regards,

Scott

780 200 8425

sriddell@nait.ca

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Our network | Entrepreneurship | University of Waterloo

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Here is a list of companies within Waterloo Ventures network.

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Our IP policy | Entrepreneurship | University of Waterloo

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Our co-operative education program | Entrepreneurship | University of Waterloo

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Here are the top five student entrepreneurship co-op programs that specifically place students in existing startup companies, along with reasons why they stand out:

1. Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) – University of Waterloo (Canada)

Why it stands out:

Direct startup placements: Students work inside early-stage startups for a 14-week project-based internship.

Hands-on experience: Interns contribute to real business challenges, gaining practical entrepreneurial skills.

Strong mentorship: Students receive guidance from startup founders, helping them understand scaling strategies.

2. Berkeley SkyDeck Startup Internship Program (UC Berkeley, USA)

Why it stands out:

Access to Silicon Valley startups: Students intern at high-growth startups, gaining exposure to venture capital and innovation ecosystems.

Structured mentorship: Interns receive guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

Networking opportunities: The program connects students with top-tier startup founders and industry leaders.

3. Northeastern University Co-op Program (USA)

Why it stands out:

Six-month startup placements: Students work full-time at startups, gaining deep operational insights.

Diverse industry exposure: Interns engage with tech, healthcare, and business startups, expanding their skill sets.

Proven success: Many students transition into full-time startup roles after completing the program.

4. eCo-op – Simon Fraser University (Canada)

Why it stands out:

Paid co-op model: Students receive financial support while working full-time at startups.

Dedicated mentorship: Interns benefit from weekly coaching and access to startup incubators.

High-impact learning: Students gain real-world experience in startup operations, funding, and scaling.

5. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Startup Internship Program (Canada)

Why it stands out:

Startup-focused placements: Students intern at Toronto-based startups, working on business development, product management, and marketing.

Industry connections: The program provides mentorship and networking opportunities with startup founders.

Practical experience: Interns contribute to growth strategies and operational improvements within startups.

Here’s the contact information for each of the top five student entrepreneurship co-op programs that place students in existing startup companies:

1. Bridging Entrepreneurs to Students (BETS) – University of Waterloo (Canada)

Website: University of Waterloo BETS Program

Contact: Entrepreneurship Office at University of Waterloo

Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

2. Berkeley SkyDeck Startup Internship Program (UC Berkeley, USA)

Website: Berkeley SkyDeck

Contact: Phone: (510) 495-5786

Location: 2150 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA

3. Northeastern University Co-op Program (USA)

Website: Northeastern University Co-op Program

Contact: Phone: (617) 373-2000

Location: 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

4. eCo-op – Simon Fraser University (Canada)

Website: SFU eCo-op Program

Contact: Email: cip_changinstitute@sfu.ca

Location: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada

5. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Startup Internship Program (Canada)

Website: TMU Startup School

Contact: Phone: (416) 979-5000

Location: 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada

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How you do something?

Are you an Entrepreneur?

Identify potential

This is how we identify candidates

qualfiied how to spot?

The desire to create something... willing to sacrifice

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NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (May–August 2026) – Updated Weekly Breakdown

This 16-week immersive internship connects 10 NAIT Entrepreneurship students with 10 established Edmonton-based startups (3–5 years old, 5–25 employees). The program focuses on hands-on startup experience, structured mentorship, funding support, and professional networking.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Weeks 1–2: Onboarding & Foundations

📌 NAIT Co-op Networking Event & Keynote Speaker (Week 1)

Kickoff event featuring students, startups, and industry experts.

Keynote speaker: An established entrepreneur or investor.

Interactive networking sessions to match interns with startups.

📌 Internship Readiness Workshops

Business model fundamentals, startup scaling strategies, and industry insights.

Technical training in UX/UI, financial strategy, digital marketing, and automation.

📌 Startup Site Visits

Interns tour Edmonton startup hubs to gain exposure to growth-stage companies.

📌 Bi-Weekly Instructor/Program Facilitator Check-In #1

Weeks 3–4: Startup Integration & Project Scope Development

📌 Interns Begin Full-Time Startup Work

Students are embedded in their startups, working directly with founders.

Define individual startup projects, focusing on market growth, automation, and financial sustainability.

📌 Mentorship Meetings Begin

Access to Edmonton Unlimited’s Experts on Demand for weekly guidance.

📌 Industry Lunch & Learn Sessions

Guest speakers from venture firms, startup accelerators, and industry leaders.

📌 Bi-Weekly Instructor/Program Facilitator Check-In #2

Weeks 5–6: Deep Startup Engagement & Problem-Solving

📌 Interns Drive Startup Projects

Conduct market research, automate processes, develop financial models.

Work on business development, product growth, and scaling strategies.

📌 Bi-Weekly Industry Expert Consultations

One-on-one sessions with founders, investors, and startup consultants.

📌 Bi-Weekly Instructor/Program Facilitator Check-In #3

Weeks 7–8: Midpoint Review & Networking Expansion

📌 Midpoint Progress Review

Roundtable discussion where interns and startups assess progress.

Adjust projects as needed to ensure high-value impact.

📌 Startup Masterclass: Growth Hacking & Investment Strategies

Experts teach fundraising, venture capital pitching, startup scaling tactics.

📌 Investor & Industry Mixer

Interns present progress updates to local investors and mentors.

📌 Bi-Weekly Instructor/Program Facilitator Check-In #4

Weeks 9–12: Final Execution & Impact Development

📌 Interns Implement Key Business Solutions

Deploy product enhancements, process optimizations, and business growth strategies.

📌 Startup Leadership & Career Development Sessions

Interns gain leadership insights from CEOs, startup founders, and ecosystem leaders.

📌 Bi-Weekly Instructor/Program Facilitator Check-In #5

Weeks 13–15: Final Project Completion & Showcase Preparation

📌 Industry Showcase Pitch Prep

Interns prepare final presentations for investors and industry experts.

Practice funding proposals, startup growth strategies, and internship learnings.

📌 Capstone Networking Event

Interns pitch their impact projects to stakeholders.

Investors explore potential intern-to-startup employment opportunities.

📌 Bi-Weekly Instructor/Program Facilitator Check-In #6

Week 16: NAIT Co-op Appreciation Event

📌 Final Internship Review & Certification

Recognition of students' achievements with industry-backed certification.

📌 Showcase of Industry Participation & Student Projects

Highlights from each startup partnership and student contribution.

📌 Closing Keynote & Alumni Engagement

Connect interns with post-program employment opportunities & alumni mentorship.

Key Program Enhancements

✅ Hands-on Startup Experience – Interns develop real business solutions for startups.
✅ Bi-Weekly Mentorship & Instructor Check-Ins – Structured support for continuous learning.
✅ Industry Exposure & Networking Events – Engages investors, accelerators, and startup leaders.
✅ Funding Support for Startups & Interns – Grants ensure sustainable participation.

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Hi XXX,

I was hoping you could connect me to a few company founders to help me brainstorm how to build a NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program.

The program is in its early development stages, and I want to get feedback from the business community to shape the program into a high-impact experience for both startups and students.

The concept so far includes a 16-week program designed to connect Edmonton-based startups with top entrepreneurial talent from NAIT. Interns will bring fresh perspectives, problem-solving skills, and hands-on support to key projects like market expansion, automation, and product development. Employers gain dedicated interns, structured mentorship, and access to funding support, helping startups accelerate growth while fostering future business leaders.

I'm interested in exploring mentorship strategies that would be most impactful for interns. How does this initiative align with the current challenges of Alberta-based startups? What industry-specific resources would make this program most valuable for an Alberta business? And more.

As we build this program, industry feedback would help shape its structure, funding models, mentorship opportunities, and industry engagement.

I'm excited about creating a program that strengthens Edmonton’s startup ecosystem and empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs!

Thanks again.

Regards,

Scott

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SkyDeck has developed a strong global reputation and leverages our network of 500,000 Berkeley Alumni to help startups succeed.

SkyDeck's commitment to: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

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SkyDeck has developed a strong global reputation and leverages our network of 500,000 Berkeley Alumni to help startups succeed. SkyDeck's commitment to: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

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SkyDeck by the numbers

Since 2012, Berkeley SkyDeck has been at the forefront of innovation.

$2.0B

Raised by SkyTeams

60%

SkyTeams received funding

25

Series A, B rounds raised

17

Exits through acquisitions

1000

Attendees at Demo Day

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Here's a structured list of questions designed for a 45-minute Customer Discovery Interview with startup founders. These questions aim to uncover their needs, preferences, and potential engagement with the NAIT Entrepreneurship Co-op Program:

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you tell me about your startup's journey? How did it evolve to where it is today?

AI buildout and mapping

DOW expansion

oil and gas - industrial side

quote for 24 hours

capital raise for expansion

US - but... get rid of ocean

Journey - writting a book on this one

Thought I'd be civil servant

in military - got into oil and gas, into management - self ed

at Suncor at 26 year --> ed thru u of a and u FRED - OHS

supervisor understanding the OHS - understand little understood

how about teach management, not set up for failure

fatality on a project, not my people but on site

didn't isolate valve - 56 year 3 kids, 4 grandchildren

into consulting oil and gas - kept fixing the same thing over and over again - want to help small & med orgs premise

started with fractional management - used to use a number of tools and decided to build software

regardless of industry and automate OHS with ease and fractional support - don't need a corp HR person - couple $100K, do a fraction price

phones tablets and computer

professional support contracted

consultants use our software

4700 different policies and procedures - covers Canada (ISO)

2. What are the primary challenges your startup is currently facing in terms of growth or operations?

kept it close to chest

raise money, test company, prove concept and go from there

lack of understanding on marketing

trust issue - marketing - non of them successful for B2B business

regulatory compliance - difficult to communicate effectively

networking, educational seminars

hard to find metric that converts them

employee was shot

listed out things needed to do

relationship based selling

Understanding Current Practices (10 minutes)

3. Do you currently hire interns or collaborate with students? Why or why not?

lack of understanding of intern programs

late to set up up

4. If you’ve worked with interns before, what worked well, and what could have been improved?

OHS co-ops students taking care of onsite documentation - but utilize goal-zero consultants to assist

discuss the process - site observation and debrief

let's fit you in - alot of

5. How do you currently address gaps in operational capacity or expertise within your team?

a lot falls on me - I fractionalize alot of stuff

4 FT

6 Fac dev team

book-keeping, accounting

don't have the dedication for marketing and sales - not able to do online effectively

email and cold call - book meeting - I don't want to teach your team - co profile and scripts, I don't need to train

Door to door or in-person sales - expensive, no steak dinner

outsource

Evaluating Program Fit (10 minutes)

6. What value could you see in participating in a program that pairs startups with entrepreneurship students?

depends on the start up - a non-technical founder

good a fixing problems

procedural

good at mentoring provided

financial forecasting

strategy growth

marketing strategy

OHS student development

build me out these procedures - help me on these 18 things

most people in the incubator are tech-focused

7. How do you feel about the program focusing on startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Would this align with your company's needs?

I think so, if you are running under 5 employees - you wouldn't be able to mentor effectively

start up I think up a tech based company - I think construction, you can manage multi-million $

Culture - there needs to be a willingness to teach students and develop someone skills, but needs to be beneficial to business

WHY do you want to do this Internship?

Student - Drive, take feedback, are you willing to learn, listen, and willing to provide feedback

8. Would a 4-month internship be the right duration to derive value from student contributions? Why or why not?

That's fair - from a quarter perspective - onboarding and education

9. What kind of support or training would you expect from NAIT to ensure the students are well-prepared for the internship?

what their rights are?

strict for expectations for job

strict expectation for employer

employment/employer responsibilities

conflict resolution

know so neither ee/er get taken advantage of

what is harassment or violence - setting expectation from a foundational

Defining Expectations (10 minutes)

10. What specific roles or tasks do you think a student could take on within your startup?

what that scope of 2 or 3 year student are

what are your capabilities

what are you currently doing

this is what we could cycle you through

11. Are there particular skills or qualities you’d prioritize in a student intern for your business?

bookkeeping, financials, marketing?

Am I pushing this off

critical thinking is very important - here's our goal - let's work through it and come to me with solutions and problems solving and drive

12. How would you envision mentoring a student during the internship? What level of involvement would be realistic for you and your team?

Would want expectations

weekly debrief

project debrief

Feedback on Program Structure (5 minutes)

13. How do you feel about the idea of a matching process 3 months prior to the program's start? Would this work well for your hiring timeline?

fair timeline

match up

resource management

tasks

14. Would you be willing to pay a participation fee to cover program costs or access value-added services like workshops? If so, what would you consider reasonable?

not sure

min wage or extra - top up with fee

$7500 not out of scope

Closing Questions (5 minutes)

15. What might make you hesitant to participate in this program?

making sure I could provide value to student and our business

16. Would you see this program as a long-term partnership opportunity with NAIT?

100%

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share about how this program could better serve startups like yours?

huge value if you can get practical application to your education

This interview plan ensures an engaging discussion and allows you to gather valuable insights from startup founders. Let me know if you'd like to refine this further!

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BETS

targeted at first work-term students only

90% have engineering and math students

12 weeks - 4 weeks originally

15 weeks - one week of buffer

1 week ignition training, WIMIS training, matched with start up companies

$3000 - faculties and departments fund for student

$3000 - from company - they get 2 students (never on their own) - sweet spot for cost - not getting

try interdisplinary teams - majority are engineering teams

now want to get the role

150 application for 60 spots

E-co-op take BETS students - do well overall - people find a co-founder

how to find companies? They apply - incorp, where located, submit the skill sets they are looking for and the projects they want the students working on, BETS does the matching on the back end, we send a list (students rank), interview with any new company that is joining the program (these are 1st year students), expectation on contact, suggestions on boarding guide for students from Waterloo

mentorship - min weekly check in projects on track

but more with other team members

Do coaching with students - if not getting enough work how do you get more work? Asking founders

Weekly checkin - with Slack and share your wins

Discuss events on Slack

Do midterm checkins with co and students - midterm evaluation with employer - Complete a final evaluations student/employers

talent ready - in first week and at the end as well to reflect on what skills you built - how do you use in an interview

Tech session - funding a little tight - engineers are very good technically (Mechatronics engineering - hasn't done alot of software skills)

really hard to teach technical skills

Networking is more shared in - no forced networking

Biggest headache - techically unpaid program with $3K

ESCH goes towards awards

used MITACS with Corp Innovation Rogers after done - stay on

start up companies - doing BETS 3 years

Pre-revenue to help with essential tasks, data collection and support need

great students

CV, cover letter, git hub portfolio, video interview, what they know about program and why important, open and willing to learn

need generalists - be ok with change

most of student leave with excellent or outstanding

technical skills for sure - if TECH company (Front , back end development, UXUI, marketing support)

TECH - everything - delivering plants for landscaping, AI, Med-tech, etc

where do they go - hope they go work for a big company to get something different - one or two stay on for contract work after - 1 stay on for a co-founder

some are series A companies - who do you prioritize

sliding scale

1) $10K for 4 months (how do you maintain the funding) $5K and $5K

2) Students from all 6 faculties participating

ask at the beginning for each term - engineering & math - willing to fund up to 5 students - 5 science, arts 3 students

$8K to $10K - 3 for the price of one

BETS coordinator (20 Q)- matching and ranking

BETS Director - relationship management, ignition week

E-co-op

saved money

pitch competition

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

Ran his own Lawn/Snow Removal Business named Student Shovel (built out during time with NAIT)

Currently working with Thomas Skinner, looking to building his sales and leadership skills

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

TBD

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

Likes the idea, would consider applying

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

Interested in an experience where he is learning new skills and is challenged

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

Yes

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

Something Sales-related. Something challenging that employs skills learned at NAIT. Helps me see the larger picture of what is important in business

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

Access to Leaders

Working on Company Financials in some capacity

Developing practical Sales and Communication Skills

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

Very important... TBD

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

Yes, TBD

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

No, this could work for me

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

TBD

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

Brett likes the idea of completing a pre-work course

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

TBD

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

TBD

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

Yes

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

Stronger NAIT candidates with real world experience

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

TBD

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750 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

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Leadership

Business Financials

Networking

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750 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

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NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program – Month-by-Month Matching Process

This structured matching process ensures the best fit between 10 NAIT BBA students and 10 Edmonton-based startups that meet key selection criteria. The process spans four months, leading up to the internship launch in May 2026.

January: Program Launch & Application Period Begins

✅ Student Applications Open

Eligible students: 2nd- and 3rd-year NAIT BBA students only.

6 spots for Entrepreneurship majors, 4 spots open to other majors.

Students submit interest via a web portal, including:

GPA, background, experience, and a 3-minute video explaining why they’re an ideal candidate.

Optional: Indicate NAIT Instructor sponsorship for additional consideration.

✅ Startup Applications Open

Businesses from tech, manufacturing, oil and gas services, healthcare, retail, and wholesale apply via a web portal.

Must be operating for 3–5 years, with 3–20 employees, and a founder still in the business.

Must express commitment to program participation, including mentorship and event attendance.

February: Screening & Shortlisting

✅ Student Screening Process

Review GPA, experience, video applications, and instructor recommendations.

Shortlist candidates based on skill alignment, entrepreneurial mindset, and business interest.

✅ Startup Screening Process

Assess business stability, growth potential, industry relevance, and mentorship commitment.

Shortlist businesses that align with student backgrounds and program goals.

✅ Employer Interview Option

Startups have the option to hold interviews with shortlisted candidates before finalizing selections.

Employers provide feedback on preferred intern matches.

March: Matching & Networking Event

✅ Formal Matching Process Begins

Interns and startups complete preference surveys for better alignment.

Structured matching based on skills, startup needs, and industry sector diversity.

✅ NAIT Co-op Networking Event & Keynote Speaker

Event brings together shortlisted students, startup founders, and industry experts.

Facilitates direct interaction and discussions before final placements.

✅ Final Matching Decisions

Employers confirm interest in top student candidates.

Interns accept startup placements before formalization.

April: Onboarding & Pre-Internship Preparation

✅ Internship Agreements Finalized

Formal agreements between NAIT, startups, and interns are completed.

Employers outline roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

✅ Pre-Internship Training for Students

Workshops on startup operations, business development, automation, and leadership.

✅ Startups Prepare for Intern Arrival

Develop structured onboarding plans, ensuring interns integrate smoothly.

Schedule mentorship sessions and project assignments.

May: Internship Begins

🎉 Interns officially start their placements!

Structured bi-weekly check-ins with NAIT Instructor/Program Facilitator.

Interns contribute to startup growth through assigned projects.

This timeline ensures intentional, strategic matching, setting interns and startups up for meaningful, productive partnerships. Would you like refinements or additional details on specific steps? Let me know how I can assist!

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Bachelor of Business Administration Co-op Education

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Gain experience, earn money and test drive your future career with the BBA Cooperative Education Program.

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NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program – Sponsorship Package

Introduction

The NAIT Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program is a 16-week immersive experience designed to connect Edmonton-based startups with top entrepreneurial talent from NAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program. This initiative equips students with real-world business experience, while startups gain fresh perspectives, hands-on support, and strategic problem-solving to accelerate their growth.

Why Sponsor?

As a sponsor, your organization becomes a key driver in shaping the future of Alberta’s startup ecosystem. By supporting this program, you:
✅ Fuel Startup Growth – Help early-stage businesses scale with skilled interns and structured mentorship.
✅ Strengthen Alberta’s Innovation Ecosystem – Contribute to the next generation of entrepreneurs, fostering a thriving business landscape.
✅ Gain Brand Visibility – Your company is recognized as a leader in innovation, enhancing your reputation within the startup and business community.
✅ Expand Industry Connections – Network with startup founders, investors, educators, and top student talent.
✅ Support Local Talent Development – Help retain high-potential entrepreneurs in Alberta, boosting long-term economic growth.

Sponsorship Levels

🏆 1. Innovation Champion – $20,000+

🔹 Exclusive Industry Leadership – Recognized as a top-tier sponsor at program events.
🔹 Keynote Speaking Opportunity – Deliver insights at the NAIT Co-op Networking Event.
🔹 Executive Roundtable Access – Engage with NAIT leaders, startups, and investors on innovation strategies.
🔹 Priority Intern Matching – Early access to top student talent for internship placements.
🔹 Co-Branded Marketing – Prominent brand placement in all promotional materials, including websites and media campaigns.

🚀 2. Startup Growth Partner – $10,000

🔹 Industry Panel Participation – Join a speaker panel at the Networking Event or Final Appreciation Event.
🔹 Internship Engagement – Gain priority access to program resources and structured mentorship initiatives.
🔹 Company Feature in NAIT Reports – Highlighted in post-program impact reports distributed across Alberta’s innovation ecosystem.
🔹 Logo Placement – Featured in event signage, digital marketing, and internship materials.

💡 3. Emerging Innovator – $5,000

🔹 Support Local Entrepreneurship – Directly contribute to intern funding, mentorship, and program operations.
🔹 Company Recognition – Listed as a sponsor in NAIT’s internship communications.
🔹 Exclusive Networking Access – Invitation to key program events to connect with startups and students.
🔹 Social Media Promotion – Featured in sponsorship announcements and NAIT’s digital community.

Program Overview

Who Can Sponsor?

✅ Corporations invested in innovation (tech, finance, oil & gas, sustainability, healthcare, etc.).
✅ Startup incubators, accelerators, and venture firms looking to support Alberta’s startup ecosystem.
✅ Industry leaders committed to talent development and business growth.

What Does Sponsorship Support?

💰 Intern Funding – Provides financial assistance for students working with startups.
📢 Program Resources – Supports networking events, training workshops, and mentorship sessions.
🏗️ Startup Development – Helps emerging companies scale, refine business models, and expand market reach.

Where Does the Program Take Place?

📍 Edmonton, Alberta – Interns work on-site at startups and participate in NAIT-hosted events.
📍 Startup Hubs & Incubators – Program integrates with local startup networks, fostering community collaboration.

How Sponsorship Strengthens Alberta’s Innovation Ecosystem

🔹 Builds a Strong Talent Pipeline – Keeps top entrepreneurial students engaged in Alberta’s startup scene.
🔹 Enhances Startup Growth & Retention – Provides business resources and mentorship, reducing startup failure rates.
🔹 Creates Lasting Industry Connections – Strengthens business partnerships between startups, established firms, and investors.

Next Steps – Become a Sponsor

Interested in supporting Alberta’s next generation of entrepreneurs? Let’s collaborate to create a high-impact, sustainable program for startups, students, and business leaders.

📩 Contact NAIT’s Program Coordinator to discuss sponsorship opportunities and how your organization can contribute.

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Here’s a summary of your conversation with Thomas Partridge, Associate Director of Incubator Programs at Simon Fraser University (SFU):

Program Overview & Structure

SFU eCo-op has been running for over 10 years, supporting students and alumni in launching startups.

Provides office space, networking opportunities, and regular mentoring at SFU’s Chang Institute incubator.

Funding support includes a $10,000 salary for 15 weeks, requiring evidence of full-time focus on startup development.

Students can stay with the incubator beyond eCo-op, benefiting from ongoing resources.

Selection Process & Entrepreneurial Pathways

Application involves an online entrepreneurship competition (ENTR) to select candidates.

Program supports solopreneurs with six-figure revenue potential, focusing on applied knowledge and real-world business development.

Students source startup ideas through coursework and creative methods beyond standard university curriculum.

Early-stage pitch sessions are run to refine ideas before formal incubation.

Mentorship & Business Development

Mentors are recruited and paid, with some having raised and scaled businesses worth $100M.

Mentorship lasts 1–4 years, with 2 hours of online support per month.

eCo-op students receive double the mentorship compared to other participants, providing enhanced guidance at the ideation stage.

Startups span various industries, including medtech, baking, consumer products (golfball markers), and sustainability (turning orange peels into candy).

Funding & External Support

The program is externally financed through grants, donors, and smaller foundations like Charles Chang and Vega Foods.

Graduate students have access to entrepreneurship grant programs, including MITACS funding ($13,500), with applications taking 6–8 weeks.

SFU holds a 25% stake in some incubated businesses.

Key People & Insights

Fiona, an SFU alumna, is deeply involved in community engagement and business support.

Thomas Partridge has been at SFU for three years, guiding incubator programs and startup development.

One coordinator came from a day trader background and transitioned into incubator leadership.

General Notes:

Assoc

sfu student or alumni

office space network

events

regular mentoring

e-coop over 10 year

thomas been here 3 years

funding in pay you $10K 15 weeks

evidence of fully focused

stay with incubator stay on

entr grant programs for Grad students

connections they have as well connect with student clubs

selection process - ENTR competition on-line

6 figure revenue - solopreneur

connect groups that - applied knowledge

Fiona - studied at SFU - loves community engagement

day trader -realized incubator program coordinator

where students are sourcing their ideas

coming from course selection and then find more creative ways that go beyond university scope

run some early stage pitch ideas

25% stake from SFU

co-op may be opportunity to

daily life struggles

customer golfball markers

medtech

baking

family members with alzhimers

orange peals into candy

recruit and pay mentors - vetting raised and scaled $100M - from different pair

1-4 years

2 hours per month on-line

double the mentoring for e-coops

at ideation stage

2 and 3 year students

have to be undergrad - just turns out

externally financed - from variety of grants donors - smaller foundation - Charles Change Vega foods - really happy - sizable

undergrad - donors

grad - MITACS $13,500 - apply 6 to 8 weeks

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The eCo-op program at Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a paid entrepreneurship co-op that allows students to work full-time on their own startup while earning Co-op credit. Participants receive a $10,000 salary over the term and gain access to mentorship, specialized workshops, networking opportunities, and co-working space at the Chang Institute’s SFU-Surrey office.

Students from any faculty can apply, and international students on a study permit are eligible. The program is structured within SFU’s Co-operative Education framework, meaning students must meet Co-op curriculum requirements before starting their eCo-op semester.

Throughout the 15-week program, students engage in weekly mentorship sessions, attend startup venture workshops, and participate in entrepreneurial networking events. They are expected to focus entirely on their startup, meaning they cannot take courses or hold part-time jobs during the term.

Would you like a comparison between SFU’s eCo-op and NAIT’s Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program? Let me know how I can assist!

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Entrepreneurs and Company Leaders:

Jim Balsillie & Mike Lazaridis: Founders of RIM (now BlackBerry), a major mobile phone company.

Tom Jenkins: Founder and CEO of OpenText, a global enterprise software company.

Carol Leaman: CEO of Axonify, a company focused on employee training and development.

Eldon Sprickerhoff: Founder of eSentire, a cybersecurity company.

John Baker & Jeremy Auger: Founders of D2L, a learning technology company.

Armen Bakirtzian: CEO of Intellijoint Surgical, a medical technology company.

Kurtis McBride: CEO of Miovision, a company focused on autonomous vehicle technology.

Ryan Denomme: CEO of Nicoya, a company in the food processing industry.

Paul Donald: CEO of Encircle, a company focused on data management.

J. Paul Haynes: President of eSentire.

Meti Basiri: CEO of ApplyBoard, a company in the education sector.

Adam Belsher: CEO of Magnet Forensics, a cybersecurity company.

Other Notable Companies:

Sandvine: A networking company with offices in Waterloo.

DalSa Corporation: A company focused on visual technology.

Erb Transport: A transportation company with a long history in the area.

Global Beverage Group/Moxy Media: A beverage and media company.

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates: An engineering and environmental consulting firm.

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Here's a structured list of questions designed for a 45-minute Customer Discovery Interview with startup founders. These questions aim to uncover their needs, preferences, and potential engagement with the NAIT Entrepreneurship Co-op Program:

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you tell me about your startup's journey? How did it evolve to where it is today?

Travel Alberta - go to Calgary - 4th from ads business

2. What are the primary challenges your startup is currently facing in terms of growth or operations?

they learn stuff and they don't just become a staff member - just have a summer job

take for lunch

studio and rent out for events

some students that wanted to manage the photo studio and video studio and market it properly might be a gap that students - how to maximize

old canada summer job grant - 50/50 split

Understanding Current Practices (10 minutes)

3. Do you currently hire interns or collaborate with students? Why or why not?

grant mac asked but difficult with

before covid - we had 3 and we had 12 employees

cohort - one web dev, writing and one design (very creative)

May

when it was one, they got a job and worked with webdesk - liked a regular employee

felt more empowered

pair with contrasting skill sets

one came back and stuck in marketing in the field one worked for us full time

4. If you’ve worked with interns before, what worked well, and what could have been improved?

finding them was not always easy - get 400 resumes - how to vet

wanted to do an interview to make sure they were solid

they are jumping into a moving train, balance they were ok but getting the work done

know their skill sets

got lucky student

Skill sets - web development and writer or journalism students - samples IG, everyone is creating content can view - videos and writing

5. How do you currently address gaps in operational capacity or expertise within your team?

Evaluating Program Fit (10 minutes)

6. What value could you see in participating in a program that pairs startups with entrepreneurship students?

Basically from home

couple days a week 3 or 4 people

7. How do you feel about the program focusing on startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Would this align with your company's needs?

founder needs to be boots on the ground

start up doesn't have an information as you are learning as you go. Might be hard if you were in a start up. Have some processes in place. Return clients

8. Would a 4-month internship be the right duration to derive value from student contributions? Why or why not?

depends on the business - we did June, July, and August - might be times where there holidays

couple weeks off, may long weekend - always start in June... August is our slowest month... more time to speak with founders

September getting

Always 2 partners will be there

9. What kind of support or training would you expect from NAIT to ensure the students are well-prepared for the internship?

anything is better than what had in past

learn about the company and this is what you'll be doing - company gives prepared understanding, people involved

Defining Expectations (10 minutes)

10. What specific roles or tasks do you think a student could take on within your startup?

where students do the content creation side

social, content for marketing

they see things through a different lens

understand trends and why things work

younger people, see creativity in a different way (24 year old - brings up things we never hear

11. Are there particular skills or qualities you’d prioritize in a student intern for your business?

video skills, photography

more laid back culture - walk a fine line between making sure things are done well, but have a good time while doing it

12. How would you envision mentoring a student during the internship? What level of involvement would be realistic for you and your team?

realistically 1 to 2 hours per week

3 of 4 partners in Edmonton, other in Vancouver

In the office working with partner - 2 or 3 times per week. If there was a reason

Feedback on Program Structure (5 minutes)

13. How do you feel about the idea of a matching process 3 months prior to the program's start? Would this work well for your hiring timeline?

mix and mingle - learn more about people in a casual environment

likes the idea... worked with a 2-3 year employee who met at grant mac - ENTR podcast - in marketing program... met 2 times

Office crawl

14. Would you be willing to pay a participation fee to cover program costs or access value-added services like workshops? If so, what would you consider reasonable?

anything below 50/50... otherwise let's bring on somebody

indigenous student $6K - ruperts land - treaty program

Closing Questions (5 minutes)

15. What might make you hesitant to participate in this program?

timing and far enough out

cost if too much above 50/50

16. Would you see this program as a long-term partnership opportunity with NAIT?

might be interesting - know more about what might happen

old office half a block behind Grant Mac

5 students work on a capstone project - not really looking for

speak to class who you like who you don't

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share about how this program could better serve startups like yours?

vetting process is very helpful - here are our top performance is a big one for us

hired FT - that process to 10 hours in total

Can Edmonton Unlimited - is there a springboard to start a business - NOW WHAT???

when I was a Marketing student in University never thought I would be business owner...

This interview plan ensures an engaging discussion and allows you to gather valuable insights from startup founders. Let me know if you'd like to refine this further!

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All sizes and all types. Company sizes vary from under 100 employees to more than 100,000. The majority of jobs are at organizations with between 1,000 and 100,000 employees. Job types include business, healthcare, finance and accounting, research, engineering, marketing and communications, software development, art, media, and design. Those are fields, not industries-meaning you can land a finance position at a healthcare company, or a software job at an engineering firm. The options are many! Your co-op coordinator will help you think through what makes the most sense for you.

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QUICK LINKS / Learn what you love to do Spend months exploring career fields before you graduate Apply your classroom skills to real-world needs Work with mentors invested in your success Gain confidence in your potential Accelerate your transition from student to professional Graduate ahead of the pack For more information, please visit Northeastern's Career [...]

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you tell me about your startup's journey? How did it evolve to where it is today?

creating new industry for second use lumber - infill development - just smash up wood goes to landfill - pre 1960's build with old growth lumber -- cut into panels - non-architectural... actual supply chain... for flooring, wall features

helped founder last year

took down ft edm park

kilm dry - taking down 40K homes per year

investment strategy, applying for grants

4000

homehardware, windsor... need at scale and mirror

assigned a climate consultant

can't find

Thinking Mom and Pop - excites them and scares them at the same time

not thinking BIG, what can we actually do

why do build a business - to sell it

2. What are the primary challenges your startup is currently facing in terms of growth or operations?

brand strategy workshop with NAIT

depends where the business is in its life cycle - what is the meaningful experience (is it data entry?)

one owner you can work alongside me so I can can go on vacation, smiles... learning the challenges... confidence grew immensely... understudy

facetime with owner - what would I have wanted to learn

cashflow and P&L where the biggest thing I learned (holdbacks)

he needed to clone himself - I'm wearing so many hats - he needed to let go - How do you scale? (need to network)

more customers, more revenue - all these things that come with it

financing options (increase capacity)

Understanding Current Practices (10 minutes)

3. Do you currently hire interns or collaborate with students? Why or why not?

yes, started in SE of Thailand, Managing Director... a learning shop, every staff gets a portfolio, here's what we did

interns set up special projects for them - market research, data collection, price monitoring, tried to make them understand the big picture, tried fun things

4. If you’ve worked with interns before, what worked well, and what could have been improved?

I was lucky, really loved working there - got their portfolio

Hired 3 interns

5. How do you currently address gaps in operational capacity or expertise within your team?

yes

Evaluating Program Fit (10 minutes)

6. What value could you see in participating in a program that pairs startups with entrepreneurship students?

generational knowlege - gen z

potential hire

hard worker

7. How do you feel about the program focusing on startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Would this align with your company's needs?

I think so, if the founder has time for them and the company

8. Would a 4-month internship be the right duration to derive value from student contributions? Why or why not?

3 to 4 months is enough time - depends on what the special project peters out in a month or half

create a Employer Framework - # hours per week, project work, how it fits in with normal operations and how fits in with co-op objectives

9. What kind of support or training would you expect from NAIT to ensure the students are well-prepared for the internship?

thoughtful onboarding process

pathway to follow

preliminary prep from nait - what you know about the business

what business wants from you

Defining Expectations (10 minutes)

10. What specific roles or tasks do you think a student could take on within your startup?

probably research and analysis

put findings together in a report that is actionable

Not financials - that is taken care

11. Are there particular skills or qualities you’d prioritize in a student intern for your business?

someone who wants to understand the full nature of our business

I need to know everything - ops, HR - performing right, who to bring on

call themselves entre but they are really technicians in the business

12. How would you envision mentoring a student during the internship? What level of involvement would be realistic for you and your team?

just like a new hire - need to set up for success

regular contact and engagement

Feedback on Program Structure (5 minutes)

13. How do you feel about the idea of a matching process 3 months prior to the program's start? Would this work well for your hiring timeline?

yes that makes sense

14. Would you be willing to pay a participation fee to cover program costs or access value-added services like workshops? If so, what would you consider reasonable?

my interns weren't paid

I think for a company has the budget $7500

Closing Questions (5 minutes)

15. What might make you hesitant to participate in this program?

Is the timing right

16. Would you see this program as a long-term partnership opportunity with NAIT?

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share about how this program could better serve startups like yours?

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

real-estate - got into it for 2 years

not understanding a full business - what to consider

Started at Stantec in marketing

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

mentoring

learning how to pivot

being comfortable with change

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

originally

shadowing, mentoring from a ground up

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

those criteria make sense

digital world is important - 3 to 5 employees

I would have picked design - smaller business

stevenson house (https://www.stephensonhouse.co/),

Simone Ivy - https://simoneandivy.ca/?srsltid=AfmBOorWNoH2piUfvQK0CCv2HD52e0qUrM-qr_i0zF6HfuNwA7nemFOp

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

depends on the business

give them time to work on business

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

I took my interior design course

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

Confidence

just go through the project lifecycle

ability to ask the right questions

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

any connection - is what you make of it

both of them - love marketing - leads their social media

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

yes with the founder

shadowing - sit in on conversations and meetings

every day in the beginning - who do I talk to... then couple times a week

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

I don't think so, commit or don't

interest in the business or personality

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

enough time, might even be to much time

do interview and get ball rolling

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

as much as possible to set up 1 or 2 weeks - if they have problems

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

little of both, good skill to have

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

looks ok

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

yes, experience with different business... had to do more work to do

stress factor when you are in school

value proposition - hard to get a job if you don't have experience - took months to get job - entry level jobs want 2-3 years experience, reference

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

I think so, Edmonton is starting to be more ENTR and less franchise

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

This structure allocates time efficiently while encouraging rich discussions. You could adjust the timing or focus based on the group's dynamics. Let me know if you'd like further support!

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Discover Luxury Interior Designer In Edmonton through a curated collection of global pieces once reserved for our private clients. now available at The Shoppe

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CK Dhaliwal - Exec Director @ Startup TNT

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CK Dhaliwal - Exec Director @ Startup TNT

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Chamber of Commerce - who runs

ERIN - Janice Baskin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-baskin-63b037139?originalSubdomain=ca

CIP project grant - how impacting all of AB - https://www.alberta.ca/cip-project-based-grant

workforce consulting group - taking advantage - canada summer job program 16 to 30 year old - test run

trailhead program

Canada media fund - how do we keep people inspired

biggest issue

Do you want to run studio

Work of studio?

$5000 - incorp co - Canada media fund

2 of 4 incorporated

didn't go further in - what happened

that was really hard and I hated it

didn't want to leverage themselves

50% drops off

wall they hit is commercialization

simple as product market fit

how do you position your company - willing to figure out where you fit

start small and scale

traction - need a product or service that is relavant in the market

combine passion with commercialization

overwhelmed with possibilities

idea audience - who do prioritize - same message

VCAA - educating VCs

what is an investor?

$200K income

don't know enough to invest

inverstor stewardship

I don't think $5K is enough

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you share your background and experience in the startup ecosystem?

2. What trends do you see in the Edmonton startup scene that impact early-stage companies?

trai

3. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges startups face in their third to fifth year of operations?

Understanding Industry Needs & Gaps (10 minutes)

4. How do startups typically find and develop entrepreneurial talent?

5. What gaps exist in current talent development for startups? Would a program like this help fill those gaps?

6. How do startups balance mentorship and operational demands when working with interns or junior employees?

7. What skills or competencies do entrepreneurial students lack when entering the workforce or startup ecosystem?

Evaluating Program Feasibility & Design (10 minutes)

8. How do you feel about a 4-month entrepreneurship internship model? Would this timeframe be effective?

9. From your experience, what would make a student-startup matching process successful?

10. Do you think startups would benefit more from students focused on specific roles (e.g., marketing, finance, operations) or broader entrepreneurial exposure?

11. What support or guidance should NAIT provide to ensure students add real value to participating startups?

Value for Startups & Industry Collaboration (10 minutes)

12. If implemented well, what do you think startups could gain from participating in this program?

13. Are there specific industries where this type of student internship would be more impactful?

14. Would you see value in industry experts like yourself mentoring or engaging with these students? If so, what format would work best (e.g., workshops, networking events, advising sessions)?

Final Recommendations & Barriers (10 minutes)

15. What might discourage startups from joining a program like this? How could those concerns be addressed?

16. Could this program help strengthen Edmonton’s startup ecosystem? If so, in what ways?

17. How can industry experts, incubators, or accelerators support the success of this co-op initiative?

18. Do you have any final recommendations for optimizing the program before launch?

Wrap-Up & Closing (Final minutes)

19. Would you be interested in participating in or supporting this program? Why or why not?

20. Is there anything we haven’t discussed that you think is critical for the success of this initiative?

This structured approach ensures deep insights while keeping the conversation focused and engaging. Let me know if you'd like to refine any areas!

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750 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

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Contacted on May 27th 2025

1. Wyvern Space: Alyssa Newman - No

Website: Wyvern Space

Address: 8507 112 Street NW, Suite 416, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2L7, Canada [1]

Email: info@wyvern.space

2. Entos Pharmaceuticals: John Lewis

Website: Entos Pharmaceuticals

Email: info@entospharma.com [2]

Phone: (780) -*

3. Jobber: Sam Pillar - No

Website: Jobber

Address: 10130 103 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3N9, Canada [3]

Phone: (888) 721-1115

4. Nanode Battery Technologies: Bing Cao - Yes

Website: Nanode Battery Technologies

Email: bing.cao@nanodetech.com [4]

Phone: (780) -*

5. PainWorth: Michael Zouhri - Aaron Budnick Ops - Yes

Website: PainWorth

Email: m***@painworth.com [5]

Phone: (833) 902-2772

6. DrugBank: Craig Knox - Yes

Website: DrugBank

Email: c**@drugba.com [6]

Phone: (780) -*

7. Showbie: Colin Bramm - Yes

Website: Showbie

Address: 10117 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1W8, Canada [7]

Phone: (866) 925-3904

8. Drivewyze: Brian Heath - yes

Website: Drivewyze

Phone: (888) 988-1590 [8]

9. AltaML: Cory Janssen - yes

Website: AltaML

Email: cory@altaml.com [9]

Phone: (780) 702-1416

10. SAM (Social Asset Management): Sean Solbak - yes

Website: Samdesk

Email: sean.solbak@samdesk.com [10]

If you need contact information for any other companies or individuals, feel free to ask!

References

[1] Home - Wyvern

[2] Entos Pharmaceuticals Launches GMP Clinical ... - Business Wire

[3] Jobber

[4] NANODE BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES - The Advanced Materials Show USA

[5] Michael Zouhri Email & Phone Number | PainWorth | ZoomInfo

[6] Craig Knox - Co-Founder / CTO at Drugbank - Wiza

[7] Showbie

[8] Drivewyze Company Profile -Sales, Contacts, Competitors – Buzzfile

[9] Cory Janssen Email & Phone Number | Co-founder and Co-CEO of AltaML ...

[10] Sean Solbak - Chief Technica.. - Social Asset Management - ZoomInfo

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Co-op

A Co-op provides experience in a workplace setting related to the student's field of study. The number of required work terms varies by program; however, the time spent in work terms must be at least 30% of the time spent in academic study for programs over 2 years in length, and 25% of time for programs 2 years and shorter in length.

Clinical Placement

A Clinical Placement involves work experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional (e.g. preceptor) in any discipline that requires practice-based work experience for professional licensure or certification. Practica are generally unpaid and the work is done in a supervised setting.

Field Placement

A Field Placement provides students with an intensive part-time or short-term hands-on practical experience in a setting relevant to their subject of study. Field placements may not require supervision of a registered or licensed professional and the completed hours are not required for professional certification.

Mandatory Professional Practices

Mandatory Professional Practices include work hours needed to obtain a license to practice or a professional designation or to register with a regulatory college/professional association.

Student Benefits

Benefits of learning through WIL

Understand more about career opportunities, expectations and requirements of the professional field.

Apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment, increase opportunities for employment after graduation.

Create networking opportunities in your chosen industry.

Develop and improve communication, interpersonal and employment skills.

Practice job placement skills including job search, resume preparation and interviewing.

Possibility of financial benefits if the placement is paid.

International students will gain Canadian work experience.

Employer Benefits

Benefits of hiring NAIT students

Creates opportunities to engage in the educational process, assisting the institution in ensuring industry needs are met.

Allows employers access to fresh, new ideas from students.

Allows employers to address short-term staffing needs for special projects or peak season relief.

Employers can evalulate students for potential future employment.

Provide employees with an opportunity to gain leadership experience.

Projects a positive image from an organization - students come back to campus and become goodwill ambassadors after their placement.

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Partner with a NAIT program to provide a placement opportunity for a student.

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

I was starting a business at the time - one before, one at school, hung in start up space, worked at start up calgary

joined a start-up AI for a year - Ontopical - scan for leads

laid me off

another co - sumo quote - quoting for contracter's acquired by job nimbus (until

left 2 weeks ago

NEW Business - AI implementation for large SAAS company

built out a product that makes that easier - employ AI agents

AI agent is hyper competitive

Money on contracts

Fake agents - Chat gpt

Curser - for coding assistants - framework and mundane tasks - https://www.cursor.com/en

training and access to your systems

Alfred - same access as I do

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

exposure to business models

everyone's making money in the weirdest ways

how to create business models

more nauced business models

My goals - sales, leadership, technical skills - been helpful on having

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

think it's interesting

it's important you target a later stage cos

hard for us to have a co-op student

sumo quote - 3 years old could have taken on a student - key attributes in company that make it

needs some sophistication to provide stability - such as an onboarding process, someone to report to (mid-level manager)

if reporting to head of revenue they may not have the time

specific role

exsposure to multiple different departments

see other BM, sales look like, being exporsue

everyone wants a dev

wouldn't bring a co-op student to code

contribute

aquiring the ability to get shit done - learn quickly and turn into action - best job boards - synthize quickly and make action - tough to do without experience

sales, customer success, ops maybe (sythsizing data - making decision), support, product (MBA), portion in sales enablement, and build tools and make more efficient

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

last company sumo - 35 people

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

seems short - fits nice in calendar year - deliverable done

2 summers would be ideal

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

Saas is the most realistic - software's a service

In AB - Ag Tech... would have loved it

AI is big right now

Social Enterprise - hard to find (micro financing)

Fintech

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

Data analysis - making decisions made on data

Sales and customer success - customer facing and consultative, relationship building, thinking on your feet - like case studies, quickly

marketing

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

loved to have met companies - seeing who's out there - Jobber --> all people in weird

Big 4 that grab up the talent?? (accounting example)

panels are kinda stupid... ha ha... speakers are good

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

run through crash course and ongoing

experience sharing is good

interesting to have external professional

who are the EOD - vet them

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

company would need to know there responsibilities - is special - how much more work to make successful - how many deliverables

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

make sense - good amount of lead time

should be a final project, presentation, student would want at project to put my name on - deliverable in 4 months

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

familiarity with tech co - they are pretty similar - Saas Co - what is going on inside a normal tech company - can be confusing - what is a CRM, how do they think of things - BMs, talk through Jobber, etc

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

stressful but good

mostly focus on work and then do project

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

paid it would be good

what is the opportunity cost

path to permanent employment

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

yes, I did a capstone

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

a lot of people leave Edmonton because this type of thing doesn't exist here

more people who do this experience where you start - move to a new company, a new partner, new company, more employees

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

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Built to make you extraordinarily productive, Cursor is the best way to code with AI.

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Thank you for considering hiring a NAIT student! The BBA co-op program is offered to students in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Our students come from the

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The only career acceleration platform that offers immersive entreprenership training and work experiences for Canadian students and recent graduates who need real-world job experience at a time when the jobscape/job horizon is rapidly and radically.

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Career Ready Work Placement Program | TECHNATION

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Hire a tech-trained student for a co-op or work placement and earn up to $7,000 in wage subsidies.

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Get a $7,000 wage subsidy to hire student interns for Work-Integrated Learning in digital jobs

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

interested in Business when joined NAIT - number of different hats

creative and innovative aspect

finished 2017

Edmonton Economic Development - a lot changes

Startup Edmonton - running through with my own idea

different from what I learned - what is applied speed wise at Start-up Edmonton

recently started job City of Ft Sask

do side work with AB Catalyzer

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

ship it before its done - get something out there

continue to change

at school tried to perfect things

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

imagined when in Mercer business - all these businesses around us - saw teams playing ping pong - understanding culture of organization - how things worked in practice

felt different, new appreciation - hard to replicate

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

I agree that

Some company needs to grow quickly - could be a great experience

working on a product that is being

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

that's ok - pace is crazy in start up, get a lot of

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

worked alot around tech - ablity to pivot

supporting a product is scaleable -

business to business instead B2C

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

better that you don't have dev experience (others can pick it up)

ablilty to be curious - build better products who you are service

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

being in the Edmonton start-up Ecosystem --> when companies come out once or twice a year

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

some startups - debriefing can be the best way to get through it... that's just how it is

peer to peer is important

a lot already out there

person within co could be a mentor or key contact

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

run and sort it out

go to start up and its not a good fit - 4 months at a mismatch

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

that would be very important to have matching

more casual

one local start up - Allie Knull - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allieknull/

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

orientation - working closely with

30 sec elevator pitch to students

week

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

valuable

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

if I could add value - I would be even more interest

speed networking

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

its the people who work for the founders. Founders important, product is important, but TEAM is very important

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

intentional including the startups - focus and implement their input

Vertical City - Fouad El-Masri - https://www.verticalcity.com

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Allie Knull - Manu Forti Solutions | LinkedIn

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With a career dedicated to reinventing talent acquisition, my leadership as Founder & CEO… · Experience: Manu Forti Solutions · Location: Edmonton · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Allie Knull’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you tell me about your startup's journey? How did it evolve to where it is today?

fernie next week

Japan in Feb

China in April

Canadian import booth - all other countries, interviewed by high profile news - your stance on state of world

hinan - chinese hiway

2. What are the primary challenges your startup is currently facing in terms of growth or operations?

challenges in export space - finding customers, right people to talk to, getting in front of the right people

Understanding Current Practices (10 minutes)

3. Do you currently hire interns or collaborate with students? Why or why not?

work with 2 groups at university of Alberta - work activity

4. If you’ve worked with interns before, what worked well, and what could have been improved?

interesting to get feedback from a green perspective and outside you group

Sometimes you see the naive - by step 6 it might fail

sometimes it's ya no

more interaction with individual groups - could see the gaps

5. How do you currently address gaps in operational capacity or expertise within your team?

we try and find an expert (consultant) - to become more lean/profitable

Evaluating Program Fit (10 minutes)

6. What value could you see in participating in a program that pairs startups with entrepreneurship students?

another set of legs brains hands

good for student to understand the nuts and bolts of endeaver

if student coming in has the ability to think on their feet

little hand holding in the beginning, but less hand holding (isn't afraid of running with it)

7. How do you feel about the program focusing on startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Would this align with your company's needs?

We have 6 people - value in smaller

might be a bit bumpy in company 3-5 years old

comfortable - in different parts of the business at different times, retail experience, trade shows to get following, in hindsight, so much effort into retail --> after 15 year more comfortable to export

know what a buyer needs now

8. Would a 4-month internship be the right duration to derive value from student contributions? Why or why not?

depending on what you want to accomplish

student could help establish a new system

9. What kind of support or training would you expect from NAIT to ensure the students are well-prepared for the internship?

go straight back to the real basics

come in at your highest standard

new University Student - she was unprepared, still really young people - show up, being on your phone, be professional get work finished, late often, to being really clear

Defining Expectations (10 minutes)

10. What specific roles or tasks do you think a student could take on within your startup?

research

worked with IRAP in past - hiring young person with SOPs - Stds of Operation

packaging trends and gifting trends in asia

11. Are there particular skills or qualities you’d prioritize in a student intern for your business?

strong understanding of what small business really is

not narrowly focused in the role - become more well rounded

one's who have a true interest in what your selling - need to be your jam - structure of business aligns with their in

12. How would you envision mentoring a student during the internship? What level of involvement would be realistic for you and your team?

Tanya feels she'd have to oversee a SOP project

2-3 times per week and staff interaction

Feedback on Program Structure (5 minutes)

13. How do you feel about the idea of a matching process 3 months prior to the program's start? Would this work well for your hiring timeline?

yes that would work

generally when I hire it takes 6 weeks

14. Would you be willing to pay a participation fee to cover program costs or access value-added services like workshops? If so, what would you consider reasonable?

sounds fair to do a cost savings - depends on each company

start up 3-5 years... if older more established

Closing Questions (5 minutes)

15. What might make you hesitant to participate in this program?

dedicating the time properly with intern

concern with match

16. Would you see this program as a long-term partnership opportunity with NAIT?

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share about how this program could better serve startups like yours?

it has legs and value

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Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you briefly share your entrepreneurial background or aspirations, and how your time at NAIT has shaped your journey?

2021

professional chef - have red seal

20 years in industry

family had a business

alliance excavating

worked in the office and field

sold it while he was in school

covid was worst time graduate

working chef

2. What skills or experiences do you think are most important for aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed?

Focus just doing it - and go for it

Exploring the Program Concept (10 minutes)

3. What are your initial impressions of the proposed NAIT Entrepreneurship Internship Program?

I think it would be good

It might be hard to follow entrepreneurs (nice to see all the hats)

hard for them to give you things to do

4. How do you feel about the idea of being matched with startups that are 3–5 years old and have 5–25 employees? Does this criteria align with what you’d consider valuable?

degree is kind of missing - the early stages

website - show you have to do... all this is new to develop a company

later stuff is easier to teach

learn step guide on how to do things legally open a business

need to sell certain products without being fined by government

how do I start paying taxes

5. Do you think dedicating 4 months to an internship would be practical and impactful for students?

good amount of time

amazing what you can get done

depends on how much ENTR is willing share

6. What kinds of startup industries or business models would you find most exciting or relevant to your goals?

variety of options

Retail development - creating a store --> IKEA - it's so organized

Respect McDonald's marketing

How to persuade how to purchase

Like anthropology, I enjoy the experience

Someone is open a shop - early stages

Assessing Program Value (10 minutes)

7. What specific skills or experiences would you hope to gain from participating in this program?

Networking - could lead to a position

Did the capstone and didn't give us something to do

8. How important are networking opportunities in a program like this? What kinds of connections would you find most beneficial?

connections with hiring managers or help your business get started

9. Do you see value in the mentorship component, where startups actively guide students throughout the internship? If yes, what would an ideal mentorship experience look like?

mentorship trades - you are set up with one person

someone to answer questions you have

don't feel you are pestering owner

10. Are there any challenges you foresee in committing to such a program? How could we address them?

finances would be an issue

Feedback on Program Structure (10 minutes)

11. How effective do you think the student-startup matching process would be if completed 3 months before the internship begins? Would you suggest any adjustments to the process?

that's lots of time to figure it out

12. What do you think of the orientation and workshops planned for the program? Are there additional types of training that would enhance the experience for participants?

definitely establishing expectations and the role, how does the student fit it - it

13. What’s your opinion on the final project presentations at the end of the program? Would presenting your contributions to startups and NAIT faculty be motivating or stressful?

stressful, but necessary to wrap their head around what skills they developed

Closing Questions (10 minutes)

14. If you could make one change to this program, what would it be?

what if student gets into job and it's a terrible experience

have an alternative company in place??? Ask Co-op

15. As a student or alumnus, would you be likely to participate in this program? Why or why not?

100% sounds fun

seems like a neat experience you might not otherwise do

like real-world experience

16. How do you envision this program positively impacting Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

ENTR always need a little help

support next generation ENTR - how to do this

good for the economy

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share that could help improve or refine the program concept?

No

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Here’s a structured list of Customer Discovery Interview Questions for start-up industry experts who might be potential partners for the NAIT Entrepreneurship Co-op Program. These questions will explore their insights on entrepreneurship, startup dynamics, and the feasibility of this program.

Introductory Questions (5 minutes)

1. Can you share your background and experience in the startup ecosystem?

2. What trends do you see in the Edmonton startup scene that impact early-stage companies?

fairly AI/Deep tech focus

little less cohesive than Calgary, edmonton unlimited it trying to bring together

access to capital more an issue

might get lower access

AI talent more affordable

20-30 size - alot of remote, not be in Edmonton

3. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges startups face in their third to fifth year of operations?

life cycle of company - development issue - for funding

early angel - series A is to sales funding, product market fit

are we still solving the right customer problem over time

alot pivot to something they didn't start with

drug bank

jobber

Understanding Industry Needs & Gaps (10 minutes)

4. How do startups typically find and develop entrepreneurial talent?

founders who are entrepreneurial

looking for specific talent

10 generalist to specialists

5. What gaps exist in current talent development for startups? Would a program like this help fill those gaps?

so company to company dependent, where there

sales and marketing might be a common gap

alot of founders are technical

get that strong COO - they carry alot of the weight

CEO investment and strategy

6. How do startups balance mentorship and operational demands when working with interns or junior employees?

usually so much going on, grow into role

started in company over to another company

don't know how much time they have for someone who might not be in their company long term

Jan/Feb - needs vs july august might be completely different

7. What skills or competencies do entrepreneurial students lack when entering the workforce or startup ecosystem?

need to fill a role right now

best use of my money - get that value

Evaluating Program Feasibility & Design (10 minutes)

8. How do you feel about a 4-month entrepreneurship internship model? Would this timeframe be effective?

really depends on the problem

9. From your experience, what would make a student-startup matching process successful?

each start up have different set of challenges - interest areas

Vector Institute out of toronto - post a challenge area - computer vision project (fast lane) - THIS IS THE PROBLEM

10. Do you think startups would benefit more from students focused on specific roles (e.g., marketing, finance, operations) or broader entrepreneurial exposure?

value for student

If they want to be a startup founder

tech - specific tech

11. What support or guidance should NAIT provide to ensure students add real value to participating startups?

some startup more interested if they don't have to pay for it

Value for Startups & Industry Collaboration (10 minutes)

12. If implemented well, what do you think startups could gain from participating in this program?

tech problem being solved with 4 months - sales plan, design, relationship with that person

part time opportunity

connected with NAIT for future talent

3-5 - mostly technical --> might not have anybody on the business side to do anything

build additional learnings - as long as not taking away from

13. Are there specific industries where this type of student internship would be more impactful?

services companies - oil field services companies, small mom and pop stores

transition to digital

14. Would you see value in industry experts like yourself mentoring or engaging with these students? If so, what format would work best (e.g., workshops, networking events, advising sessions)?

ran an internship with GOA - monthly or bi-weekly checkins --> mentor advice (real challenges) & tactical advice

office hours block - drop in

Final Recommendations & Barriers (10 minutes)

15. What might discourage startups from joining a program like this? How could those concerns be addressed?

price - start ups are cheap - stretching dollars

cost you $7500 but this is the value

time issue - investment is worth it

16. Could this program help strengthen Edmonton’s startup ecosystem? If so, in what ways?

not really anybody doing this

might have been at NAIT a number of years back

nominal fee $1000 --> super worth

17. How can industry experts, incubators, or accelerators support the success of this co-op initiative?

lean canvas workshops with Edm Unlimited

Some AMII - intro courses

Business link might have some stuff

Startup TNT meet ups

Startup week engagement

18. Do you have any final recommendations for optimizing the program before launch?

Wrap-Up & Closing (Final minutes)

19. Would you be interested in participating in or supporting this program? Why or why not?

happy to help if it makes sense - mentor or AMII

intro to AI - good to know - having that language

pick 5 companies pitch - 20 students - 3 minutes on stage

students put hands up - group interview

20. Is there anything we haven’t discussed that you think is critical for the success of this initiative?

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Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence

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FastLane - Accelerate AI - Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence

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Accelerating AI adoption for Canadian startups and scaleups. Do you want to accelerate your business with AI? Apply now