So you want to be an entrepreneur? TMU can help
TMU offers courses, work placements, networking and funding opportunities and other learning resources that can help you start a business and become an entrepreneur. Photo by Andrew Ahmed.
Do you have a great idea for a product, service or business but don’t know where to begin? Are you looking for a different kind of career where you can be your own boss?
From elective courses and degree programs to bootcamps and student organizations, TMU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem can help you dip your toes into a new way of thinking and take your ideas to new heights.
“There's a famous definition of entrepreneurship as someone who pursues an opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled. It means someone who follows an idea, chasing down leads and opportunities, even if they don't seem to have the money or knowledge or connections to make it happen – yet,” said Richard Lachman, director of Zone Learning at TMU.
Watching already-profitable business owners pitch products on Dragon’s Den or reading about social media startups being bought for millions of dollars can make becoming an entrepreneur seem intimidating. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
“Your opportunity could be a business, but it could be a non-profit, or a design concept or an afterschool program,” said Lachman who is also a professor of media production at The Creative School. “It’s not about fitting into some stereotype of an entrepreneur, but rather, about learning the skills and leveraging the support to make your idea happen.”
So, what’s the first step to becoming an entrepreneur?
Lachman says it all starts with believing that you can make something happen and believing that what you want to do matters. Then, start talking to people, making connections and tinkering with your ideas in your spare time.
“Don't worry about having the perfect idea, or having perfect confidence, or worrying that you don't know what you're doing. Start on the path and know that many other people are figuring it out as they go too,” he said.
TMU has many resources to help you make connections with aspiring and established entrepreneurs, develop your ideas, secure funding and get your ideas to market.
Learn how to start on the path to entrepreneurship below.
Zone Learning
Zone Learning is the place on campus to meet other entrepreneurial-minded students, startup founders and people who can help your idea succeed. Zone Learning offers courses that will earn you credit toward your degree, job placements, training programs and events across 10 on-campus Zones and several off-campus zones.
Zone Learning’s elective courses allow students time to work on their passion projects and side hustles while earning credit and getting access to one-on-one mentorship. ZON 100 guides students through the process of growing their own project, while FCD 815 teaches collaborative Design Thinking with external client projects.
Experience Ventures at Zone Learning enables students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. Students can take part in hackathons and challenges, work with companies on projects or even become a student in residence to work with multinational companies.
Student Entrepreneurship Programs
DMZ’s student entrepreneurship programs are designed to help emerging entrepreneurs take their business beyond ideation. DMZ offers on-demand resources to learn at your own pace, masterclasses, a semester-long program for science and TRSM students, and more.
The Transmedia Zone’s Student League is a place for students to meet, learn about job openings and harness creativity to become better storytellers and entrepreneurs.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide celebration of innovators, dreamers, and doers who dare to bring their ideas to life and make a lasting impact. From November 18 - 22, 2024, Zone Learning will be hosting a variety of events and programming on innovation and entrepreneurship.
For a full list of resources and opportunities check out the Zone Learning website.
Campus Organizations & Clubs
Toronto Met Entrepreneur Institute
The Toronto Met Entrepreneur Institute (TMUEI) aims to ignite and support students’ passion for entrepreneurship. TMUEI provides experiential and transformative learning programs and supports multi-disciplinary experiences across campus with local, national and global impact. The institute provides access to world-class support and funding for student ventures and is embedded within the community.
Enactus TMU is home to student-owned and student-operated social startups that use the power of conscious capitalism for positive change. Students involved in Enactus TMU compete in regional and national competitions.
TMU StartUp Society (external link)
TMU’s Start-Up Society is a student group and social club made up of a community of future founders, innovators and creators. The group is open to students from all TMU programs and provides a safe space to connect, share and make progress on students’ passion projects.
Courses, Certificates and Degrees
TMU offers several entrepreneurship-focused courses outside Zone Learning, as well as certificates and degree programs.
Undergraduate Courses
ENT 100 - Applied Entrepreneurship
This is a highly flexible course designed to support independent student projects. Students work with their course instructor to identify, select and complete entrepreneurship modules and assignments that support their specific entrepreneurial project.
ENT 401 - Design Thinking Experience
This hands-on, intensive course helps students implement agile, rapid prototyping design thinking methods in a creative space. Student teams implement real-world projects in a variety of entrepreneurial contexts: new venture creation, innovation within an existing venture, social innovation and change making. Admission for this course is by application only.
ENT 500 - New Venture Startup
An introductory course designed primarily for non-Entrepreneurship students who are interested in starting a business of their own. Students will learn about identifying opportunities, market assessments, financing a business and more while developing a business plan.
EIE 201 - Start-up of Technology Ventures
The course is designed to introduce the students to the process of establishing a technology-based venture. The course will facilitate student market research and intellectual property assessments for their business idea and preparation of a market feasibility study report.
SCI888 - Evidence-based Innovation
This unique course, offered during winter reading week, introduces students to the scientific method and how it can be used to develop social and technological ventures and ideas. The course focuses on applying knowledge and skills to real-world issues. It also connects students to industry experts and like-minded peers.
Minors & Certificates
Minor in Innovation and Zone Learning
Undergraduate students interested in developing their ideas and launching new ventures can pursue a minor in Innovation and Zone Learning. This minor, administered by the RTA School of Media, Department of Computer Science and Office of Zone Learning, will help students become changemakers and prepare them for their future careers.
Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Students looking to understand the process of entrepreneurship and the essential factors that are needed for the successful growth of a new venture can pursue a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This minor is administered by the Ted Rogers School of Business Management’s Entrepreneurship & Strategy Department.
Toronto Metropolitan University Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business
This certificate, offered by The Chang School, can help students gain entrepreneurial skills to get a business idea off the ground or help take an existing small business to the next level. With the agreement of the Academic Coordinator, electives can be chosen based on existing or future business needs.
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Commerce, Entrepreneurship Major
This undergraduate degree is one of Canada’s leading entrepreneurship programs. Students will learn how to become an entrepreneur and relentlessly pursue opportunities to create and sustain a competitive and viable enterprise.
Master of Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This graduate program is designed for engineering students, science students and industry professionals interested in advancing their own technology-based startups or leading innovation within an existing organization. The program follows the lean-startup development process to help students refine their projects from untested ideas into viable businesses.
This intensive 12-month professional program is designed to equip graduates with the skills and industry experience they need to launch themselves into the digital media world. Whether students plan to develop their own startup, work in the corporate world or go on to complete further studies, this program provides the framework for success.
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