The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship gives African students and recent graduates the opportunity to access training, resources, financial support and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start building their own venture. The 8-month program develops the exceptional entrepreneurial skillset and mindset of leaders to drive social and financial impact.

1000 entrepreners join the program in January and the top 10-15 pitch in the final pitch competition in August!

More information coming soon.

Register to attend the Final Pitch Competition here

Every year, our team organizes regional pitch competitions that give post-secondary students and other members of the Kingston community, the opportunity to advance their early stage venture through funding and mentorship. In the annual DDDQIC Regional Pitch Competition, teams have the opportunity to receive non dilutive seed funding from a prize pool of up to $50, 000. Competitors will go through a series of rounds and receive coaching from the DDQIC team and members of the global network to improve their final pitch. 

Register to attend the Final Pitch Competition here

Watch virtually through Zoom:

https://queensu.zoom.us/j/93967376237?pwd=j0w2KAuuLvkbGklj2O2Oy6bbnp8ZVU.1

In partnership with VPR and Resources for Researchers at Queen's (R4R@Q), this month's DDQIC Ignition Café will be on Entrepreneurship in Academia on June 20th from 11-2 pm in the Mitchell Hall Event Commons. Hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, collaborate, and foster meaningful connections.

Traditionally, the core academic responsibilities in universities involve teaching, research, and service, while entrepreneurship has been overlooked. However, the current landscape of higher education, driven by innovation and public engagement, offers a distinct opportunity to integrate entrepreneurial pursuits with academic duties. This can enhance research and its impact by addressing real-world challenges faced by the community. This session aims to demystify the challenges of academic entrepreneurship and inspire academics of all fields to consider how they can blend entrepreneurial endeavours into their professional journeys. The session will be divided into three parts:

Part 1 - 11am-12pm: Led by James McLellan and Gregory Bavington (Directors of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Center - DDQIC) and will introduce concepts like innovator’s mindset and use-inspired research.

Part 2 - 12-1pm: Panel where selected faculty members will share their innovation journey:

- Fabio Ynoe de Moraes: Associate Professor in Oncology, Global Oncology Executive Director, Startup Innovation Advisor (i.e., Verus Automated Medical Billing)

- Joshua Marshall: Professor & Director, Ingenuity Labs Research Institute, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Translational Scientist (i.e., Epiroc AB)

- Stephen Brown: Associate Professor, School of Environmental Studies & Department of Chemistry, Founder & Chief Scientist for Veolia's ENDETEC (previously Pathogen Detection Systems)

- Anh Tran-Ly: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Chemical Engineering, CEO & Co-founder of CO2L Tech

Part 3 - 1-2pm: Networking Session

* This is an in-person session only, hosted in the Rose Event Commons in the Mitchell Hall Building (69 Union St). Please bring your own lunch. Coffee, tea, and dessert will be provided. A recording of the session may be made available after the event.

Register here

Connect with like-minded innovators, change-makers and experts from Queen's, Kingston and surrounding region at the Ignition Café! Hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, collaborate and foster meaningful connections.

This special Ignition Cafe will be a session to meet the QICSI Cohort 

QICSI is a 16-week summer program that offers the valuable opportunity to start your own business while being paid and receiving seed funding

All are welcome! Appetizers and cash bar will be available!
 

Register here: DDQIC Ignition Café: Meet the Cohort Tickets, Thu, May 23, 2024 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

Connect with like-minded innovators, change-makers and experts from Queen's, Kingston and surrounding region at the Ignition Café! Hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, collaborate and foster meaningful connections.

This special Ignition Cafe will be a co-founder matching session! If you are looking for co-founders to join your venture, interested in joining a company yourself, or looking to network with likeminded innovators, this is for you!

All are welcome! Appetizers and cash bar will be available!

DDQIC and @iBizAfrica Strathmore University invite you to join the virtual Launch of the DDQIC Strathmore Chapter on Friday, February 9, 2024, from 8:00 am to 19:00 am EST.

This event signifies the commencement of the partnership between @iBizAfrica Strathmore University and DDQIC. The program aims to enhance the innovative entrepreneurial skills of Strathmore students and recent graduates through training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and financial support for impactful startups.

The inaugural cohort includes 20 innovative Strathmore student entrepreneurs, who, alongside 1000 international startups, will have the opportunity to compete for admission to the final pitch competition for additional seed funding at the conclusion of the program. The winners will be awarded non-dilutive seed funding from a prize pool of $20,000 CAD and will receive mentorship from dedicated coaches and mentors from DDQIC and Strathmore's Global Network of industry experts and entrepreneurs.

The launch will feature discussions on the commercialization of innovative entrepreneurial ideas within universities and their role in addressing socio-economic challenges.
 

Secure your ticket for the launch event here.

Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, & collaborate.

In February we will be celebrating Food Innovation! We will have booths from various food organizations that are involved in innovating food production, manufacturing, and more!

Register for the event: here

If you would like to have a booth at the event, please fill in this booth registration form by Thurs. February 1, 2024: Registration Form. Or contact Virginia at vls1@queensu.ca