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Start your skilled trades business with the Brilliant Catalyst!

BLACK
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
& SKILLED TRADES

🔖About

The Black Entrepreneurship and Skilled Trades (B.E.S.T) program is a series of customized modules and training, specifically designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the steps of creating a successful business.

The B.E.S.T program aims to prepare the next generation of Black-identified entrepreneurs and young business leaders to launch successful businesses in the skilled trades.

This program is proudly supported by:

✺ Who?

The B.E.S.T program is designed for individuals learning about entrepreneurship for the first time, or current entrepreneurs with a desire to take their business to the next level. This program is built for skilled trade entrepreneurs in the following sectors:

  • Automotive

  • Culinary

  • Hospitality

  • Construction

  • Service

✺ Why?

By enrolling in the B.E.S.T program, you will:

  • Learn in-demand entrepreneurship skills, including Design Thinking, Problem Validation, Calculated Risk-taking, and Critical Thinking .

  • Gain the skills and practical knowledge needed to launch your own business in the skilled trades industry.

  • Hear from subject matter experts and experienced entrepreneurs in the skilled trades.

  • Apply the lessons to your own business idea as you learn!

The B.E.S.T program launched in September, 2022. Secure your spot today! The first 500 participants to complete the program successfully receive a FREE Microcredential in Entrepreneurship LEVEL 1.

Build

  • Characteristics & Motivations of Entrepreneurs

  • Validating Your Business

  • Design Thinking Process

  • Understanding Business Models

Manage

  • Managing Finances

  • Contracts & Agreements

  • Hiring & Managing Your Team (Co-Founder / Partner)

  • Quality Assurance

  • Certification Tools

Grow / Scale

  • Measuring Success: Goal Setting

  • Reaching Your Customers: Online

  • Reach Your Customers: Offline

  • Getting Reviews / Feedback Tools

📃 FAQ

How many seats do you have?

We have over 600+ seats in the program.

How can I be sure that my idea will be good enough?

You can never be 100% sure of anything, especially when it comes to creating a new business. However, with our carefully curated program and subject matter experts, we aim to provide you the necessary tools and skillsets to help you build a successful business.

Will the Brilliant Catalyst help me get customers?

We do not help you get customers. As an early-stage incubator, our focus is to help you understand the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, including how to identify your target market. While we have key advisors in industry, top sponsors, municipal stakeholders, and angel investors with a vast network that can help get you customers, we do not provide this as a part of our core services. The responsibility is on you to secure customers.

Do I need a company to apply?

No, you do not. You can complete the program without a company or business and register one when ready.

The Brilliant Catalyst at Ontario Tech University was recently appointed as a Designated Entity, and we are privileged to be a member of NACO in good standing.

As Canada's only national platform for both angel investors and the innovation hubs that support Canada's entrepreneurs, NACO's membership includes 4200 angel investors, 44 angel groups, and 45 of Canada's most prominent incubators and accelerators.

Over the past decade, NACO members have invested more than $1 billion into more than 1500 Canadian companies.