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Community celebrates supports UNB s newest entrepreneurs

Author: Communications

Posted on Jul 31, 2014

Category: UNB Fredericton

Seven local entrepreneurs have launched innovative businesses this summer as part of the Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management & Entrepreneurship’s Foundry program.Andrew Mathis, Danny Nguyen, Jake Wildman-Sisk, Kyle MacNevin, Kati Waygood, Hon. Keith Ashfield, Kayley Reed, Hon. Jody Carr, Anna (Haines) Mathis, Hon. Craig Leonard, Dhirendra Shukla

Meet the 2014 Foundry cohort

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, minister of state (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the Honourable Jody Carr, minister of post-secondary education, training and labour, joined the young entrepreneurs and TME Summer Institute facilitators and mentors today during a special event that showcased their new ventures.

“Our Government is committed to working with young Canadians to inspire them to develop their business ideas and help build a strong, competitive economy,” said Mr. Ashfield.  "Our investment in the Summer Institute at UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship will expose youth and professionals to entrepreneurship opportunities, creating future leaders that will contribute to building an even stronger business landscape in this region.”

The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, is providing an investment of $48,750 while the province of New Brunswick is providing $54,250.

“Our government is focused on people, skills and jobs,“ said Minister Carr.  “UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship, through the Summer Institute, is doing a fantastic job at offering young entrepreneurs and working professionals the necessary management and innovation skills to become leaders and successful entrepreneurs. They are gaining valuable skills which they can carry forward and contribute positively to the New Brunswick labour force.”

Organized by the UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship, the Summer Institute offers young entrepreneurs and working professionals the necessary management and innovation skills to become leaders and successful entrepreneurs.  The Centre created this summer program to help participants develop and transform their business idea into a successful venture through an intensive full-time, three-month program. 

“The support we received for the Summer Institute from GNB and ACOA, as well as New Brunswick businesses, is truly humbling,“ said Dr. Dhirendra Shukla, chair of UNB’s Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship. “The program focused on ‘Creative Economy Firms’ and we were just amazed by the participants’ passion, drive and integrity, which will have a huge impact on our community. None of this would be possible without the mentorship of our Designers In Residence and Entrepreneurs In Residence who worked tirelessly with the firms.”

The Summer Institute is a unique approach to entrepreneurship that gives young entrepreneurs and other members of the community a chance to start up a business in a low risk environment.  It is being offered through UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship.  Young entrepreneurs participate in the program from May to August on the UNB Fredericton campus. The program is free of charge for successful applicants.

Please contact Kelsey Seymour to arrange media interviews.

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