Experience Ventures network convenes at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking to reflect on the program and its impact

Experience Ventures is a cross-collaboration between students, ventures, and post-secondary institutions, led by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.

The Experience Ventures network gathered at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking last month to meet in person and celebrate the success of the program as it embarks on its fourth year.

Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub, enables college and university students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. The Hunter Hub is leading the delivery of 8,395 entrepreneurial thinking
placements across 13 schools nationwide.

The Experience Ventures network spans across the country, including Humber College, McMaster University, Ontario Tech University, Simon Fraser University, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Alberta, University of Ottawa, Université de Sherbrooke, York University, Conestoga College, Université de Montréal, and St. Mary’s University.

The meeting spotlighted the efforts of the partner network, and the work they do to continuously deliver meaningful experiences for students and ventures.

Collaboration and community

At the crux of the Experience Ventures program is the sense of community the program fosters. With 13 post-secondary institutions across the network, the program facilitates deep collaboration among its players.

Unique to the program is the ability to share knowledge and apply these learnings, impacting change and ultimately, growth. In line with this ethos, October’s meeting drove various collaborative activities, encouraging the network to share their learnings with one another.

Over the span of 48 hours, the partner network discussed student engagement, marketing activities, program resources, and more.

Supporting underrepresented students

During the meeting, the network discussed how to best continue supporting underrepresented students as they engage with the program.

Experience Ventures was born from the desire to give more students the chance to access learning outside the classroom. These flexible and innovative opportunities are made possible with entrepreneurial thinking placements.

“During this meeting, I’ve learned how important it is to leverage community partners to reach underrepresented groups,” says Jada Joseph, Project Manager at Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre of St. Mary’s University. St. Mary’s University is a new partner to
the Experience Ventures network this year.

The year ahead for Experience Ventures

Looking to the year ahead, Experience Ventures is focusing the lens on growth. As the program continues to evolve, the Experience Ventures team is excited to action the learnings from the national meeting.

Central to the program’s mission is the dedication to serve the partner network across the country, including students, ventures, and post-secondary institutions. “By facilitating connection and meaningful interactions, we allow new ideas to take root, which will ultimately help build resilience within our communities,” says Anica Vasic, Senior Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives and leader of Experience Ventures.

“This is a program built upon the strength of a nation-wide network. We intend to build on the unique strengths of our partners to expand and deliver meaningful placements for students, connecting them to the innovation networks in their local communities.”