Dare to Dream
Receive up to $15k in funding
The Dare to Dream Program through Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Social Impact (CEISI) at Smith School of Business is designed to encourage and enable entrepreneurs in launching their new ventures. The program is specifically focused on providing critical resources to help Smith graduates turn their new venture business plans into reality. Each award provides up to a total of $15,000 over a three month period.
Many students create new ventures while in their program, yet upon graduation, they are faced with a tough dilemma: take a full-time job in order to pay for rent and/or student loans and sacrifice the opportunity to bring their business to fruition versus pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams while bootstrapping to make ends meet.
The Dare to Dream Program was created to make it possible for graduates to pursue the latter, by not only covering expenses, but also providing other critical resources such as space and access to the invaluable Queen’s network of contacts.
How To Compete
Founders/Co-Founders must be in their graduating year for a degree or diploma program at Smith School of Business, or have graduated from a Smith degree program in the Fall of the previous year. Your business should be well beyond ideation, approaching or at MVP, entering the start-up stage and have gained market traction (customers/revenue).
Guidelines & Eligibility Criteria
Please review carefully before applying.
We want to ensure this opportunity is the right fit for you and your venture. Before applying, please take a few moments to carefully review the Guidelines and Eligibility for the full submission criteria.
These requirements help us focus our support on founders and ventures that align with the stage and goals of this pitch competition.
By applying for Dare to Dream, you confirm that:
- You have reviewed the criteria in full
- Your venture meets the required stage and eligibility requirements
- The information you submit is accurate and complete
If you’re not quite there yet, that’s okay — we encourage you to continue building with CEISI’s support and apply in a future round when the timing is right.
Key dates & deadlines
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Close | Tue, Mar 31 @ Noon (ET) |
| Pre-Screening Judges Deliberations | Tue, Mar 31 - Mon, Apr 6 |
| Winners Announced * | Week beginning Apr 6 |
*Due to the number of entries, only the winners will be informed
Application Materials
Below you’ll find the materials required to complete your application. Please review everything carefully before submitting to ensure your application is complete and represents your venture clearly. Complete submissions help us evaluate your opportunity fairly and efficiently. By submitting, you confirm that all materials provided are accurate and complete.
“…the Dare to Dream Program allowed me to do exactly what it said it was going to do. It allowed me to dream. It allowed me to not just have to look inside the box of having to get a job because I had to pay for my education. It was to really go out there and test an idea and see if I could build a business.”
2024 Award Recipients
Técare Inc. - Annette Leclair
Técare Inc. offers a retail experience designed specifically for Canadian women who want a simpler, more personalized approach to beauty and body care. Their mission is to empower you with expert service and straightforward solutions.
Videntia Innovations
A platform offering real-time geopolitical alerts delivered via Slack, Teams and CRM as well as AI curated and human verified scoring and forecasting. The platform aims to replace or complement in-house analysts, news feeds and high-cost consultancies.
She Left Home - Ninoshka Pais
A digital social network that is tailored for BIPOC women offering group trips that combine community and solo travel. The venture also offers connection and mentorship through educational resources to guide confident trip planning, as well as an AI-powered travel tool designed to meet the users specific needs.
The Sinkinson Family Dare to Dream Award
Awarded to a wealth management company in its early stages, whose founders have chosen to remain anonymous.
In addition to the funds received to help scale their operations, recipients will also be provided with access to workspace, mentorship and coaching through CEISI, and access to connections within the invaluable Queen’s University network.