Entrepreneurship Resources

Entrepreneurship can take many forms at St. Thomas University, as we provide students from all academic areas with the ability to learn valuable skills in both creative expression and business-oriented knowledge. Students are also encouraged to use these skills to solve real-world problems, and to consider their application beyond classroom projects by starting their own social enterprise, non-profit organization, or small business.

Your degree at St. Thomas University allows you to gain and expand on competencies like: creativity, problem-solving, global citizenship, and social skills – all skills that work well in an entrepreneurial journey. Below are some resources you can access while studying.

Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Management

Social Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Management courses incorporate business fundamentals and the core skills and knowledge to impact social change.

These courses offer STU students an opportunity to learn and gain new skills in business and non-profit development. Program objectives include providing support to students who have an entrepreneurship/management interest, currently own an enterprise, and/or have career aspirations within the start-up and non-profit sector. Supporting initiatives are being pursued to support learning through hands-on learning, professional development opportunities, and seed funding for students to develop their own projects.

Learn more HERE.

Internships

The STU Internships Program allows students to work directly with a small business, non-profit organization, or start-up company so they can gain experience, knowledge, and mentors in the entrepreneurship space.

Name: Orion Tsehai Jemberu
Hometown: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Areas of study: Economics, Mathematics and Psychology
Internship: Planet Hatch, Start-Up Sales Intern

“The best part about the internships program was that I had firsthand experience in sales and other business skills while learning about them at the same time. The experience has made me confident in understanding more about the workings of the business and entrepreneurship world.”

Clubs and Societies

Enactus STU  

Enactus is a global, student-led organization with a branch at St. Thomas University. Enactus and its members have the goal of promoting entrepreneurship, financial literacy and sustainable development for local communities. Some of the projects that Enactus has worked on include Incubatorly which is a program that supports student entrepreneurs in Fredericton, and Connecto which is a program that teaches financial literacy to high school students. 

STU students are encouraged to join Enactus because this organization offers students a personal opportunity to grow but also an incredible opportunity to have a significant and positive impact on their community. 
Get in touch with Enactus STU: enactus@stu.ca  

Venezuela 180 – STU Chapter 

Founded by a Venezuelan STU alumnus, Venezuela180° supports sustainable community development projects in Venezuela by providing grants and consulting services. The STU Chapter Club provides the organization with a network of engaged volunteers, and leads fundraising and educational initiatives on STU Campus.Get in touch with Venezuela 180 STU: venezuela180@stu.ca  

Student Grants

The Office of Experiential Learning can offer funding for student entrepreneurial projects through STU Entrepreneurship Grants. You can apply at any point during the year. 

If you have an idea that requires funding to launch, and would like to talk to someone before asking for funding, please email: experientialoffice@stu.ca with your idea, what your idea aims to solve, how receiving funding will help your goals, and any other information relevant to your enterprise idea. You will meet one-on-one with a staff member to discuss your options to help make your idea into reality! All students are eligible to apply for a grant.

Isabelle Leger, BA ‘19

Co-Owner, Sisterly Swim
Studied: Journalism

“My time at STU taught me the importance of holding true to your values. My company is ethical and sustainable, which I can proudly promote using the branding tools I gathered through my education in communications & public policy and the snappy writing skills I learned through journalism courses.”
 

Matt Daigle, BA '07

CEO and Founder, Rise
Studied: Criminology and Sociology

"Rise aims to turn any home improvement project into a sustainable one - by bringing together homeowners, home improvement pros, suppliers, and energy utilities. I think for any entrepreneur starting a new gig, you’ve got to have so much conviction in what you are doing that it’s kind of unshakeable."