Desjardins Partnership
startGBC is generously supported by Desjardins, who is committed to helping launch Canada’s next great entrepreneurs. Their generous cash gift made to startGBC is part of their wider youth support program. The funds will help fuel entrepreneur competitions, workshops, events and much more!
Further ways Desjardins supports youth growth
Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of $391 billion. It was ranked as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. According to The Banker magazine, it has been ranked among the world’s strongest banks. Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.
Desjardins Foundation Scholarship
Are you a student at a vocational school, college/CEGEP or university? At the Desjardins Foundation, we know a helping hand can make a real difference in your education.
That’s why we award hundreds of scholarships to post-secondary students every year.
Application period is currently closed.
Launchpad for Entrepreneurs powered by Desjardins
If you’ve got a question about building a business, Launchpad has the answer. This platform is jam-packed with expert-curated content helping you gain the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the early stages of your growth journey and thrive in the world of entrepreneurship.
Upon completing this course, you’ll receive a certificate recognizing your achievements and skills gained. It’s a great first step to demonstrating your credibility as a business professional and, more excitingly, proving to the world that your sights are set high to do great things.
We are designing this platform to be as accessible and inclusive as possible as a resource for all early-stage entrepreneurs. If you have any feedback, we welcome it at dmz@ryerson.ca.
Desjardins Gifts Donation to Fund Student Entrepreneurship Programming
The pandemic forced many people to put plans on hold. That’s why Desjardins has partnered with George Brown College and will provide a two-year donation to help young people make their business and social innovation ideas a reality. The funding will support programs that help budding student entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground.
This donation will fund activities and programming through to 2023 at startGBC, George Brown’s entrepreneurial hub. Programming includes:
- The startGBC Entrepreneur Discovery Summer Camp
- A variety of entrepreneurship competitions, including PITCH IT GBC!, Entrepreneurial Mindset Design Jam and the Business Model Canvas
- Work-integrated learning (WIL) placements for 60 students per year
“We are grateful for this financial support from Desjardins—funding that will have a direct impact on our students,” said Neal Lilliott, Manager of startGBC. “We’re eager to continue supporting our students’ entrepreneurial goals with resources, mentorship and real-world experience.”
Desjardins Foundation recently outlined a commitment to funding initiatives for youth whose education and plans were dramatically altered by COVID-19 and have been feeling increased anxiety about their path forward.
“We need to be direct about just how big the challenges are for future generations and act accordingly,” said Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. “Desjardins wants to support youth through initiatives that encourage them to dive into something, exceed their own expectations, take on new challenges and above all, believe that anything is possible.”
