Entrepreneurship
Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs
Across Nova Scotia, NSCC’s Entrepreneurship team is empowering students and alumni to bring their ideas to life. Whether it’s solving social challenges, serving niche markets or launching innovative businesses, the team provides the hands-on support needed to turn passion into action.
Through workshops, mentorship, funding and access to creative spaces, they help aspiring entrepreneurs build the confidence, skills and connections they need to succeed.
Entrepreneurship is embedded into programs at all 14 campuses, giving learners opportunities to apply their education in meaningful, real-world ways. These experiences help build business skills and problem-solving abilities while also connecting students with their communities and industries.
In early 2025, 5 NSCC students successfully completed Collide Discover, a multi-institutional collaborative program led by Dalhousie University. The program saw strong interest from NSCC students, with 15 applicants in total. The program introduced participants to market research, value proposition design and customer discovery as they explored and refined their business ideas in a supportive, hands-on environment.
NSCC Business Tourism student Stephanie Cole Brown, founder of The Confidence Beyond Borders, credits the experience with helping her sharpen her focus, “Collide Discover supported me in pinpointing the specific segment in the market that would benefit most from my services. I’m finishing the program with a more defined niche that will allow me to impact the lives of women who need it most.”
NSCC also supports budding entrepreneurs through makerspaces - creative labs with tools like 3D printers and laser engravers. At the newest site in Dartmouth’s The Bays, students logged over 200 visits in the first year. These spaces foster collaboration, hands-on learning and part-time jobs for students.
By embedding entrepreneurship into programs and creating spaces to explore and experiment, NSCC is helping students unlock their potential and contribute to Nova Scotia’s growing innovation ecosystem.
“The Makerspace gave me the freedom to test ideas quickly and fix them just as fast. It’s a place where mistakes aren’t wasted, they become part of the process.”
- Sage Ding, CAD Technician student and Makerspace staff
“Throughout my entrepreneurial journey at NSCC, I’ve been fortunate to receive exceptional guidance and support. The mentorship, encouragement and commitment I experienced made a profound impact, not just on my project, but on my confidence. That kind of support is rare and truly inspiring, and I carry the lessons with me as I continue to grow.”
– Divine Nnamdi, Entrepreneurship in the Making recipient
Entrepreneurship highlights
Challenge NS
An annual 12-hour competition that challenges students to develop innovative solutions to real-world social issues. This year, 345 students came together to generate ideas on how to attract skilled professionals to Nova Scotia. Top teams from the Ivany, COGS and IT campuses won cash prizes, with support from more than 95 industry mentors, judges and partners.
Collide Discover and Validate
NSCC partnered with Dalhousie University on the Collide entrepreneurship program. Five NSCC students completed the Discover stage, and 1 student participated in Validate. While progression between stages is not required, these programs help students develop core business skills and refine their market focus.
Scotiabank Entrepreneur in the Making Program (EITM)
In 2024, this funding program received 117 applications, with 20 grants awarded to student and alumni entrepreneurs across all 14 campuses. Interest grew in 2025, with 140 applications submitted. A new African Nova Scotian and Black cohort, developed in partnership with Blk Women in Excellence, added cultural relevance and deepened community engagement.
Terrence TALKS TOO MUCH
Serial entrepreneur Terrence Taylor visited Ivany, Burridge and Sydney Waterfront campuses to share his journey through failure, growth and success. His high-energy, honest talks highlighted the importance of persistence, passion, mental health and community in entrepreneurship. Blending humour with hard-hitting insights, his message left a lasting impression on students, faculty and staff alike.
What’s next
NSCC will lead the Atlantic Hub of the national College-University Lab4 Network, supported by $5M over 5 years to drive innovation-focused entrepreneurship and commercialization. In partnership with regional institutions, the Entrepreneurship department will coordinate programming that emphasizes commercialization, Indigenous entrepreneurship and equity of access. Upcoming initiatives include:
- Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) program – Supports students and recent grads in advancing their innovations through defined stages of commercialization.
- Innovation SPRINTS – These one-day sessions, held across the province in partnership with Saint Mary’s University, connect students and alumni entrepreneurs to tackle real business challenges.
