REI

REI Programs

The StartMeUp process is the primary mechanism for students and alumni to interact with REI. Our overall program includes five components as shown in the figure below.

We act as a practical force for culture change at Ryerson through hiring a network of Entrepreneur Ambassador Work-Study Students. These Entrepreneur Ambassadors are hired from throughout the university to help us create and deliver events and resources that are relevant to the students’ unique disciplines. These students help us become more attuned to the highly diverse values, language, and approaches that different faculties, students and alumni bring to their new ventures. These students work closely with their peers in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) to integrate their efforts.

REI works to enhance the educational resources available to enterprising students and alumni. In some cases, our mentors may recommend that students take currently available courses, but in other cases we help create specific workshops or package on-line educational modules and webinars to meet the needs of those in the StartMeUp program. We also help co-ordinate cross-discipline programs and help professors integrate entrepreneurial content into their courses.

REI provides startup resources and works with University Advancement to identify experts, mentors and a Board of Advisors who bring significant experience, contacts and resources to the program. To find out more about our mentors or to learn how you can become a mentor, please visit: www.StartMeUpRyerson.com/mentors.

We are in the process of launching a number of new funding programs and have established partnerships in place to provide critical awards, loans, grants and capital financing to students and alumni. We have established Canada’s first university angel venture capital network in collaboration with the National Angel Organization (NACO). The Ryerson Angel Network (RAN) helps students and alumni meet, and obtain equity financing from, experienced entrepreneurs and investors who actively support and nurture early stage ventures.

REI is also reaching out to establish new research programs in an array of fields including social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial motivation, and entrepreneurship in the cultural industries. In collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Research Institute (ERI), we are launching a new peer-reviewed journal designed to make academic insights relevant to practitioners. This online journal, The Entrepreneurship Practise Review, leverages Ryerson’s traditional strengths in applied education to make strong connections with practicing entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, and innovators to bring relevant insights to their day-to-day reality.