Dal Innovates, through Dalhousie University, is proud to announce the official launch of Collide, a pivotal suite of student entrepreneurship programming being rolled out across Atlantic Canada.
“Today’s students have an intense desire to identify and solve real-world problems,” said Dr. Alice Aiken, vice president, research and innovation. “Collide is a launchpad for students across all academic disciplines to embrace innovation and develop essential entrepreneurship skills necessary for turning ideas into impactful ventures.”
Collide offers an extracurricular pathway for students to sign up at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from idea development to venture creation. Through its three program phases—Discover, Validate, and Launch— students are provided with the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to develop, validate and launch ventures, and make a lasting impact on their communities and industries.
Collide was developed at Dalhousie University to mirror the national research commercialization accelerator Lab2Market. In its pilot year, 316 students participated in Collide.
“The number of institutions eager to offer Collide programs continues to grow, as their leadership teams share our passion for equipping students with essential entrepreneurial skills,” said Jeff Larsen, assistant vice-president, innovation & entrepreneurship at Dalhousie. “The skills learned in Collide are invaluable for a range of careers, whether launching a startup or innovating within an organization.”
Collide programming is being delivered by, Dalhousie University, Mount Allison University, Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), and University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). Collide programs are also offered directly to students through Dal Innovates, working in partnership with Cape Breton University (CBU), Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD), Saint Mary’s University (SMU) and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED).
Led by a team of expert facilitators in business strategy, corporate law, finance, marketing, and product development, Collide participants explore the mechanics of building a startup, from design thinking to scaling a business. The program emphasizes building the critical competencies needed for students to thrive in a rapidly changing world, equipping them with adaptable skills for innovation. Participants also gain unparalleled access to a network of industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs, offering insights that transcend traditional classroom learning.
Collide fosters a culture of innovation and supports students launching ventures of all kinds, from creating social impact through filmmaking to designing apparel using high-performance fabrics. “I had this idea and the Collide program was there to accelerate the process of creating a product and launching a business,” said Eddie Cobbold, who founded Pucktive Inc. after participating in the Collide Discover, Validate, and Launch phases piloted at Dalhousie University. Pucktive Inc. develops skate cut-resistant under gear for hockey players and has launched an online store.
About Collide
The Collide suite of entrepreneurship education programs are open to students across all academic disciplines. The program curriculum mirrors the successful Lab2Market entrepreneurship program designed for graduate students and faculty looking to commercialize their research. The Collide program unfolds in three essential stages: Discover, Validate, and Launch. It is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. For more information www.dalinnovates.ca.
About Dal Innovates
Dal Innovates provides opportunities for students and faculty to explore entrepreneurship and develop the skills to translate new ideas into innovations. Since its formation in 2020, over 900 students and faculty from 25 universities across Canada have participated in Dal Innovates programs. Dal Innovates alumni have gone on to raise $19 million in private and public funding.