Schulich Summer Intensive Immerses Global MBA Students in Toronto’s Innovation Ecosystem
This June, a global cohort of Schulich MBA and exchange students stepped outside the traditional classroom to explore one of Canada’s most dynamic startup communities through Designing Startup Communities: Inside Toronto’s Innovation Ecosystem (ENTR 6630).
The two-week intensive brought together 32 students from Schulich’s MBA and Tech MBA programs as well as exchange students from Schulich’s strong network of global partner schools, who joined from across Asia, Europe and South America. Held at Schulich’s Miles S. Nadal Management Centre in downtown Toronto, the inaugural course reached full capacity.
Led by instructor Marie Chevrier Schwartz, CEO of RETHINK Retail, the course gave students an inside look at how successful startup communities are built, connected and sustained. Over 10 days, students explored the roles of founders, investors, incubators, corporations, service providers and government while examining topics ranging from venture capital and corporate innovation to diversity, inclusion and founder resilience.
The experience extended well beyond the classroom. Visits to NEXT Canada, MaRS Discovery District and DMZ allowed students to meet founders and ecosystem leaders and see firsthand how Toronto organizations provide entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, capital, networks and other resources.
For MBA student Fisayo Ijaodola, the combination of academic and experiential learning was a highlight: “The company visits, guest speakers, and class discussions with my fellow exchange and international students created an invaluable, engaging experience that broadened my perspective.”
Tech MBA student Andrew Serwadda said the program offered a valuable introduction to an area that was new to him.
“The Summer Intensive Program was a unique opportunity to learn about the start-up culture and the ecosystem,” said Serwadda. “The mix of lecture, guest speakers, and site visits was a real add on.”
Students also experienced entrepreneurship within the Schulich community at Schulich Startup Night, where students and alumni pitched business ideas to a panel of industry professionals for the chance to receive funding and professional support.
Beyond academics, a walking food tour, day trip to Niagara, Toronto Blue Jays game and closing dinner at the CN Tower gave the international cohort opportunities to build connections while experiencing Toronto.
For Yajun He, an exchange student from the University of Edinburgh Business School, the overall experience exceeded expectations.
“The course schedule was very full and engaging, and it gave me an excellent overall experience,” said He. “The quality of both the academic sessions and the activities went far beyond my expectations.”
The program culminated in consulting presentations that challenged students to apply their learning to a real technology ecosystem, identify key challenges and develop evidence-based recommendations using concepts explored throughout the course.
By combining academic learning, industry perspectives, experiential site visits and cross-cultural collaboration, Designing Startup Communities gave students a firsthand look at how innovation ecosystems function — and how they can help shape them as future founders, investors, innovators and business leaders.
