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 this program

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 delve into an introduction to entrepreneurship covering:

  • Design Thinking – Solve problems creatively with user needs in mind.
  • Reframing Problems – Shift perspectives and uncover fresh solutions.
  • Business Model Canvas – Map out your project for success.
  • Minimum Viable Product – Test your ideas quickly and effectively.
  • Customer Discovery – Understand your audience and refine your offering.
  • Pitching Through Storytelling – Present ideas 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 delve 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 2 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)
  • Refreshments will be provided for in-person sessions.

Select a Collide Discover Cohort and Apply Now

We are offering two distinct cohorts—please review the eligibility criteria carefully and choose the cohort that best fits your profile. 

View Session Details in HALIFAX, NS: COLLIDE DISCOVER 7-WEEK: Thursdays @ Dal for Halifax Students

Open to students based in Halifax, NS, Collide Discover 7-week sessions run from Jan 30- Mar 20, 2025 at Dal.

Session Dates/Times Winter Semester:

Every Thursday from 4:30 pm-6:00 pm in room 2600 (also known as the Collider) of the Killam Library, Dalhousie Campus. 
There is no session on February 20th during reading week.

Location: Killam Memorial Library, 6225 University Avenue, Halifax NS B3H 4R2.

Apply by: January 26th.

Note: due to the popularity of this program, we may close applications earlier than the deadline if we reach capacity.

View Session Details in CHARLOTTETOWN, PE: COLLIDE DISCOVER 3-DAY: Jan. 31-Feb 2 @ UPEI for PEI Students

Open to Holland College and UPEI students. Collide Discover 3-Day sessions run from January 31 – February 2, 2025 at UPEI.

Session Dates/Times Winter Semester:

Friday, Jan. 31 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Saturday, Feb.1 – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Sunday, Feb. 2 – 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Location: Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship, Room 201 Robertson Library, UPEI Campus 

Apply by: January 29, 2025

Note: due to the popularity of this program, we may close applications earlier than the deadline if we reach capacity.

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.

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