Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas partners with Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) to launch the LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Program for secondary students
March 1, 2023 – PETERBOROUGH, ON – Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (“ICPK”) has announced a new partnership with Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (“KPRDSB”) to foster entrepreneurial skills among students. The partnership has led to the creation of the LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Club as part of the KPR Pathways Initiative.
The LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Program is designed to allow students to develop entrepreneurial skills and encourage innovation and creativity. The club will offer four sessions on Ideation and Creativity, Business Fundamentals, Marketing, and Brand Development. The program is open to Grades 9-12 students and equips them with the skills to plan, fund, start, and run a business or social enterprise.
At the end of the program, selected students from the KPRDSB will have the opportunity to represent their school board at an Ontario-Wide Showcase and Networking Event. This event brings together students from different school boards across Ontario who have participated in similar entrepreneurship programs. The event provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn from each other, share ideas, and expand their networks.
“We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to students and introduce them to the exciting world of innovation and entrepreneurship! This learning experience will help students build foundational knowledge and skills and empower them to leap out of their comfort zone and turn their ideas into something great,” said Charlotte Filip, Principal of Teaching and Learning K-12: Secondary Focus.
The Innovation Cluster, a non-profit organization, promotes entrepreneurship in the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes region. Its mission is to empower and accelerate the growth of innovative businesses and entrepreneurs by offering them access to funding, resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The Cluster recognizes entrepreneurship’s pivotal role in driving economic growth and development, creating job opportunities, and promoting social and environmental sustainability. As such, the organization provides a broad range of programs and services tailored to support entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, including high school, college, and university students looking to advance their entrepreneurial endeavors.
The Innovation Cluster’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship among students is evident through its many programs and services, including collaborating with partners such as Junior Achievement and Summer Company Program, which offer valuable resources to help young entrepreneurs turn their innovative ideas into thriving businesses.
Lindsey Irwin, Senior Innovation Specialist & FastStart Program Manager at the Innovation Cluster, expressed her excitement: “I’m confident the new Leap Zone Program will have a positive impact on young entrepreneurs from KPRDSB. These students will discover the resources available to them to start businesses in our region, and our sessions will help them build the entrepreneurial skills they need for success in the years to come. It’s exciting to think that these students will represent our region’s next generation of entrepreneurs, and I can’t wait to see what businesses they will launch in the future with our support.”
For more information on the LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Club, interested parties can visit KPRDSB’s official website:
https://www.kprschools.ca/en/news/leap-zone-student-entrepreneurship-kprdsb.aspx
About the Innovation Cluster
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (ICPK) is a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs to launch, grow and scale their businesses. They help entrepreneurs reach their business goals so that our local community, job market, and economy continue to grow.
The ICPK supports startup businesses by providing dynamic programming, mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities to entrepreneurs through three core programs.
STARTUP INCUBATOR – a full-service Startup Incubator Program
STARTup Visa Program Canada – an Immigrant Entrepreneurship Program
FastStart – Student Entrepreneurship Program
For more information on the ICPK, visit Innovation Cluster at www.innovationcluster.ca
Core Funding is provided by The City of Peterborough, Trent University, Fleming College, Peterborough Region Angel Network, The City of Kawartha Lakes, OMAFRA, Feddev Ontario, and Franklin Empire.
Media Contact
Innovation Cluster
Nicole Stephenson
Interim CEO