Ignition Program
The Spark Zone’s Sandbox Ignition Program offers post-secondary students a 10-week program that gives you access to training, mentorship, resources, ecosystem connections; and honorariums to support personal and business development.



What to expect
Participants are trained in essential transferrable skills such as goal setting, design thinking, networking, pitching and more, ensuring they will understand the value of those complementary soft skills as they develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Training and Mentorship
Students will receive access to training sessions that cover a range of essential transferable skills. These skills include goal setting, design thinking, networking, pitching and more. The program aims to equip students with a well-rounded skill set that goes beyond academic knowledge, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
Connections
Students will have the opportunity to connect with mentors, industry leaders and fellow students from different educational institutions.
Coaching and Consulting
The Ignition Program provides a support system through coaching and consulting sessions. Participants can meet with experts to receive guidance, assistance and accountability for achieving their personal goals or transforming their ideas into reality.
Resources
The program offers access to a range of professional and entrepreneurial resources. This access can be crucial for participants as they navigate their entrepreneurial journey, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.
Schedule
Sept. 25, 5:30–6:30 p.m. ADT | How to Start a Business |
Sept. 28, 11 a.m.–noon ADT | How to Pitch |
Oct. 2, 5:30–6:30 p.m. ADT | Igniting Indigenous Startups |
Oct. 6, 11 a.m.–noon ADT | Entrepreneurship through Indigenous art |
Oct. 13, 11 a.m.–noon ADT | Personal Branding |
Oct. 16, 5:30–6:30 p.m. ADT | Navigating Gender Bias in Tech Start-Ups |
Oct. 20, 11a.m.–noon ADT | How to Network and Find Coaches |
Oct. 23, 5:30–6:30 p.m. ADT | Registering your Business, Taxes and Liabilities |
Oct. 27, 11 a.m.–noon ADT | Immigration Pathways |
Oct. 30, 5:30–6:30 p.m. ADT | Financial Entrepreneurship and Literacy |
Nov. 3, 11 a.m.–noon ADT | Financial Management: Debt and Credit |
Nov. 14, 5:30–6:30 p.m. AST | Entrepreneurial Mindset & Resilience |
Nov. 17, 11 a.m.–noon AST | Exploring the Start-up Ecosystem in Atlantic Canada |
Nov. 20, 5:30–6:30 p.m. AST | Career Development Strategies |
Nov. 24, 11 a.m.–noon AST | Problem and Passion Identification |
Nov. 27, 5:30–6:30 p.m. AST | Customer Discovery |
Dec 1, 11 a.m.-noon AST | Selling Your Business: What to do before, during and after the sale |
From our students
“I used to be so scared about networking, but the Ignition Program allowed me to try it in a safe environment. I specifically enjoyed joining the Woman in Business event. Indeed, seeing women achieved and being successful in business with the help of others was highly encouraging. I have implemented everything that I learned in the training section, and I got first place in Challenge Nova Scotia Competition out of 60 teams”.
—Elif Pitrilli, NSCC
“Throughout the program, I made valuable connections, got market insights and blueprints and so much more that will help me in becoming a business owner. Before the Ignition Program, I never thought about the concept of social enterprise and was looking for a way to build a business that aligns with my life purpose. But now I have greater clarity and a better plan. I strongly believe that every student should leverage this wonderful opportunity.”
—Suhnandany Goswami, MSVU


“The Ignition program was an incredible program. I enjoyed all 10-weeks of listening and learning
from established local entrepreneurs and experts. As someone who knew absolutely nothing about
entrepreneurship, the ignition program was just what I needed. It gave me all the skills, insights,
and resources I needed to start my journey. I made meaningful and valuable connections with other
goal-driven students and developed sincere relationships with mentors and coaches.”
—Tashauna Reid, College Life Academy
SPEAKERS
The Sparkzone brings the best of local and international entrepreneurs who have years of experience navigating the entrepreneurial world and remain passionate about sharing it with students:

Saeed El Darahali BSc’02 MBA’04
SimplyCast

Keisha Turner BA’12
Starberry Drink Co. / Akwekon Enterprises Inc.

Evan VanderMeer
Indigenous Entrepreneurship Coordinator / MycoNutrients

Dianna Rievaj
Highlander Law Group

Stephanie Holmes-Winton
CacheFlo

Andreas Robinson
Social Impact Entrepreneur / Infinitus Academy Inc.

Tia Upshaw
BWIE / Femme Noir Business Consulting

Shubhra Singh MTEI’23
EmployNXT / CloudKettle

Dr. Darren Burke
Future Foods

Bisola Ogamba
Ventrure for Canada

Jennifer Montgomery
Blue Door Group / 40 Cups of Coffee

Stephanie Clark
Blue Door Group / 40 Cups of Coffee
PAST INSTRUCTORS
The Sparkzone brings the best of local and international entrepreneurs who have years of experience navigating the entrepreneurial world and remain passionate about sharing it with students:

Nevell Provo
R&B Kitchen/Smooth Meal Prep

Leah Skerry
SquigglePark

Sehmat Suri
Media Relations

Tiffani Young
Natural Butter Bar

Sunil Sarwal
The Small Monsters

Ossama Nasrallah
The Harbour Watercraft and Adventure Tours

Micah Brown
BATLX/ Halifax Harbour Hawks

Jason Buchanan
Premiere Van Lines
Sponsored by

Partner Institutions
The Spark Zone brings together students and community members to create, develop and ultimately launch business ideas and social innovations. Partners at Saint Mary’s University, NSCAD University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Community College, University of King’s College and the Atlantic School of Theology provide opportunities for people to connect and then nurture those connections as ideas become reality.





