With more than half a million entrepreneurs starting their own business this year, being your own boss is an increasingly attractive career path – and Humber can help.
Applications are now being accepted for Humber’s New Venture Seed Fund, where recent Humber graduates (or near graduates) can receive up to $8,000 in financial support. The fund is meant to help entrepreneurs offset the hard costs associated with starting a new business, including prototype development, market research, product testing, and equipment or facilities rental.
According to Marty Bernie, who received a grant last year for his film composition business, the award helped orient him both in the business and music worlds – and see how similar they were.
“I had two mentors – one in music, and one in industry,” the pianist says. “They were able to help me develop the specific kind of business I wanted to start. I realized that when you go into music, you’re actually going into business as well.”
Humber students who have finished or will complete their studies between June 30, 2012 and April 30, 2013 are eligible to apply, either individually or as a team. All major members of business teams must be Humber students.
Applications are due on December 6, no later than 4:00 p.m.
To apply, aspiring entrepreneurs must submit an application form, which includes a detailed business plan, as well as any available supporting materials, such as prototypes, sketches, videos, or detailed marketing data.
As many as 12 awards will be granted, and funding will be available as of January 15, with awards determined by January 10.
Decisions will be made based on the quality and completeness of the submitted business plan, creativity/innovation, work or entrepreneurial experience, financial sustainability, capacity for generating employment, and academic record.
For more information, students can attend one of four information sessions. Attendance at a session is not required, but is strongly advised.
