Programs | Explore | Collide Discover

Discover if entrepreneurship and innovation are for you

The Collide Discover program is designed to give students a taste of the skills needed to be an entrepreneur or innovator.

The image shows a person of color wearing a turban listening intently to a Collide Discover session.

About

Collide Discover is a program designed to empower students at the beginning of their entrepreneurial and innovation journey, providing them with the confidence and knowledge necessary to propel their big ideas forward.

Throughout this extracurricular program, participants explore an introduction to entrepreneurship, covering:

  • Design Thinking – Solve problems creatively with user needs in mind.
  • Reframing Design Thinking – Shift perspectives on problems and uncover fresh solutions.
  • Business Model Canvas – Map out your project for success.
  • Understanding Your Customer – Dive into the problem your target audience needs to solve and learn how customer discovery helps refine your product or service.
  • Crafting Your Pitch – Present ideas through storytelling that captivate and convince.

Collide Discover is offered free of cost during the fall and winter semesters. The fall program serves as an introduction, while the winter sessions dive deeper into innovation and entrepreneurship topics such as learning to identify and match problems with solutions, articulate a business’s value proposition, grasp the fundamentals of human-centered design, and much more.

Attendance in the fall cohort is not mandatory for participation in the winter cohort. Please note participants may be assigned up to three hours of take-home content. 

Eligibility

  • You must be a student, faculty member, or a recent graduate (within 5 years) at a university or college within Atlantic Canada. Applications from Arts and Social Science students are encouraged.
  • You must be available for all the sessions listed below
  • You want to learn more about entrepreneurship and innovation
  • You have a potential business idea (no matter how rough)

Benefits to Students

  • De-risk your idea and/or learn about what it takes to start a business/undertake an innovation
  • Prepare for further Dal Innovates programming
  • Network with other current and future entrepreneurs/social innovators
  • Eligible for your CCR (Co-Curricular Record – for Dal, Kings, SMU, NSCC)
  • Refreshments will be provided for in-person sessions.

Apply Now to Collide Discover

Collide Discover Fall: 7-Week

Open to post-secondary students, recent grads, and faculty across Atlantic Canada. Learn more about program details and deadlines by selecting the cohort below that’s right for you!

This cohort is hosted by the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship at UPEI. It is open to post-secondary students, recent grads, and faculty from Holland College and UPEI. 

Session Dates: September 24 – November 5, 2025

Days/Times Fall Semester: Wednesdays from time slot is TBC. 

Location:  Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship, Room 201 in the Roberston Library, UPEI Campus.

  • Apply by: September 17, 2025

This cohort is hosted by NSCC and is open to post-secondary students, recent grads, and faculty from academic institutions in Atlantic Canada.

Session Dates: October 8- November 19, 2025

Days/Times Fall Semester: Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 pm

Location:  Online via Zoom link.

  • Apply by: September 28, 2025

CLICK HERE to APPLY to the Collide Discover 7 Weeks VIRTUAL COHORT.

Note: During virtual sessions, participants are asked to keep their cameras on as it promotes active engagement and networking. 

This cohort is hosted by Dal Innovates and is open to students, recent grads and faculty within the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Dates: October 9 – November 20, 2025

Days/Times Fall Semester: Thursdays from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm 

Location: Room 2600 (also known as the Collider Room) of the Killam Memorial Library, Dalhousie Campus, 6225 University Avenue, Halifax NS B3H 4R2.

  • Apply by: September 28, 2025

CLICK HERE to APPLY to the Collide DISCOVER 7 Weeks HALIFAX, NS COHORT.

Note: Applications may close earlier than the projected deadline if we reach capacity.

Collide Discover Fall: 3-Day

Open to post-secondary students, recent grads, and faculty across Atlantic Canada. Learn more about program details and deadlines by selecting the cohort below that’s right for you!

This cohort is hosted by the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre (AEC) and is open to post-secondary students, recent grads, and faculty within commuting distance of Wolfville, NS.

Dates: September 19-21, 2025

Days/Times:

  • Friday 5:00 pm -7:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Sunday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Location:  Room TBC, Acadia University, 15 University Ave, Wolfville NS B4P 2R6

  • Apply by: September 17, 2025

CLICK HERE and SELECT the Collide Discover 3-Day WOLFVILLE, NS COHORT.

This cohort is hosted by the Experiential Learning & Career Development office at Mount Allison University. It is open to post-secondary students, recent grads, and faculty within community distance to Sackville, NB.

Dates: November 14-16, 2025

Days/Times:

  • Friday 5:00 pm -7:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Sunday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Location:  Room TBC, Mount Allison University, Wallace McCain Student Centre 2nd floor, 62 York Street, 
Sackville, NB  E4L 1E2

  • Apply by: November 17, 2025

CLICK HERE and SELECT the Collide Discover 3-Day SACKVILLE, NB COHORT.

For any technical problems or queries regarding your Collide Discover application or eligibility, please reach out to Megan LeBlanc, Project Manager at megan.leblanc@dal.ca.

If you’re interested in participating in additional Collide programs and would like to receive notifications when applications open, please join the waiting list.

Follow Dal Innovates for program updates

Collide is made possible by the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)