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Shawn Smith

New program accelerates social ventures

May 16, 2012

Contact: Shawn Smith, Beedie School, 778.782.9262, ssmithe@sfu.ca Derek Moscato, Beedie School, 778.782.5038, derek_moscato@sfu.ca Chantelle Buffie, 604.763.7211, clb14@sfu.ca Sonam Swarup, 604.809.5477, slswarup@sfu.ca Lorraine Wilson, 778.837.0394, mediarelations@vancity.com Students at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University can further their social venture ideas with the launch of the new Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator (SEA) program, starting this semester at the SFU Surrey campus. The program provides students with the resources to generate feasible business models, meet with clients to discuss project details, and gain an […]

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Beedie launches social venture accelerator program

Mar 21, 2012

The Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University is launching a new social venture accelerator program, the SFU Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator (SEA), designed specifically for entrepreneurial students with social impact ideas or an interest in helping teams launch social ventures. Sponsored by Vancity, the SEA will help students move ideas from concept to reality, and aims to develop entrepreneurs that will help address tomorrow’s social, environmental, and economic challenges. Designed for students looking to […]

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Beedie looks back at extraordinary year in Surrey

Dec 19, 2011

It has been an extraordinary year for the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University – and the accomplishments of the school at SFU Surrey have helped to drive that success. As 2011 draws to a close, Beedie is celebrating such student accomplishments as SFU Student of the Year, the Surrey Green City Award, and selection to one of Canada's most prestigious leadership programs for entrepreneurs.

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Social ventures from Beedie win kudos, investment from top entrepreneurs

Nov 24, 2011

5 projects by SFU students—all social ventures aimed at creating positive change—were chosen from 10 finalists to win Ashoka Canada’s Be a Changemaker Challenge Nov. 23. In October, SFU, UBC and Ashoka also ran a boot camp to train students how to build and fund sustainable ventures. The contestants were eligible for up to $1,000 each in seed funding to launch their social ventures, in addition to incubation support through Ashoka Canada and Ashoka's Youth Venture. Most of the entrants were from SFU Beedie School of Business lecturer Shawn Smith’s BUS 492 class in social entrepreneurship and innovation, which teaches the fundamentals of creating socially impactful ventures while coaching students through the process. “More than just community engagement I think it is entirely critical to instill a sense of responsibility, and possibility, in our emerging leaders,” says Smith.

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Beedie alumni join VANOC, VPD CEOs to share ideas at TEDxSFU

Oct 26, 2011

Sam Thiara, Student Engagement Manager at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, is slated to speak at the upcoming TEDxSFU, the first event of its kind hosted at Simon Fraser University. Thiara, who is also an alumnus of the business school, will be joined by fellow BBA alumnus Shawn Smith, who is co-founder of Global Agents for Change and an instructor of social entrepreneurship at the Beedie School. The TEDxSFU organizing committee is also pleased to […]

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