Entrepreneurial Summer Internship
Ready to take the leap from beginner to boss? Our Entrepreneurial Summer Internship is the perfect opportunity for current students to work on their own ventures and learn the 'ins' and 'outs' of building a business.
Are you looking for a job this summer?
Create your own with our entrepreneurial program!
Why Join Our ESI Program?
Our Entrepreneurial Summer Internship is the perfect opportunity for current Western students to learn the basics of building a business.
Over the summer, students are empowered to develop their entrepreneurial skills and mindset by working on their own entrepreneurial ventures (full-time). Our program provides educational workshops, mentorship, and funding to assist students with their entrepreneurial journey.
Join our supportive summer program. Let's hustle, learn, grow, and have fun together.
📌 Program Details
- Duration: May 6, 2024, to July 31, 2024
- Commitment: Full-time, Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Location: In-person at Western University, working in our coworking space (Propel, WSSB 2130).
- Cohort: 8 teams will be accepted into the program.
- Stipend: Each team will receive a stipend of $10,000.
- Student Eligibility: Any current Western, Kings, Huron or Bresica student is eligible to apply.
- Application process: Students will submit an application via GUST. This includes a video pitch on their potential venture idea, as well as 500 words explaining why they are passionate about their venture. Applicants will be shortlisted and invited to pitch to a panel of judges who will select the accepted students.
📌 Your Summer To-Dos:
- Create a viable business model by understanding problem/solution fit and outlining a valid value proposition.
- Conduct market research and analyze/segment your customers to better understand their target market.
- Formulate a sales and marketing strategy by assessing various sales channels.
- Construct a minimum viable product through prototyping to present to potential customers.
- Develop sales skills by engaging customers to understand their pain points, gather feedback and sell their product or service.
- Build a financial model to project future resource needs.
Let's skip to the good part. Your Perks 😎
Funding
Each team will receive a $2,500 stipend / per month / per venture
Totaling $10,000 over the summer.
Support
Starting your week off right! Get 1-on-1 support from our program coordinator and set a goals plan for the week.
Mentorship
Grow your network, and get help with our mentorship events (including 3x5 luncheons, fireside chats and visits to local startups - pending covid regulations).
Weekly Programming
Don’t know where to start? Stress less. With our two workshops a week, you'll be off to the races in no time. Each workshop is taught by an experienced entrepreneur or alumni.
Fun & Games
All that hard work deserves some fun! We've planned some exclusive outings to celebrate your wins and strengthen our community.
Community
We host bi-weekly team huddles, giving each student the opportunity to share their progress, express their challenges and receive real-time advice and help.
Super Secret Bonus Perk: You could get a credit!
If your faculty has a summer internship or co-op program, and you meet the academic requirements, you may be eligible to count your participation in our program toward an internship or co-op credit. This bonus perk is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Mark Your Calendar
Our Entrepreneurial Summer Internship happens ONCE per year. We accept up to 15 students per year. Keep an eye out for these important upcoming dates associated with our summer program.
Applications Open
January 2024
Applications Close
March 17, 2024
Cohort Confirmed
Mid-April 2024
Program Length
Summer 2024 Cohort
May 6 to July 31, 2024.