Past Events
Workshop Series
Each semester, the John F. Wood Centre hosts a series of hands-on workshops in our MakerSpace, where students can learn to use a variety of equipment, including Cricuts, laser engravers, 3D printers, sewing machines, and embroidery machines. These workshops are completely free and open to students from any degree program, with both pre-registration and drop-in options available. Each semester features new and exciting workshops, giving students the opportunity to gain practical skills while creating their own projects. Students who attend five workshops over two years and create a project in the space that demonstrates the skills they've learned are eligible to apply for a PCDR Prototyping Badge. Visit our MakerSpace webpage to learn more about the PCDR Badge process.
To see our current workshop offerings, click here
Previous Workshops
- Learn to use InkScape
- Learn to use a Button Maker
- Learn to Create Embroidered Patches
- Learn to Make Valentine's Day Cards with the Cricut
- Learn to Make Custom Bookmarks
- Learn to Sew a Tote Bag
- Learn to 3D Model with Blender
- Learn to 3D Model with Fusion
- Learn to Laser Engrave a Custom Frame
- Learn to Create Electrical Circuits
- Introduction to 3D Modelling
- Learn to use the 3D Printer and UltiMaker Cura Software
- Learn to Sew
- Learn to use Embroidery Software
- Learn to Embroider a Custom T-Shirt
- Learn to use a 3D Scanner
- Learn to make Custom Tote Bags with the Cricut
- Learn to Laser Engrave
- Learn to Create Digital Content on Canva
Future You Series
The Future You Series is designed to inspire and empower students to explore a future career in entrepreneurship. Each session features local entrepreneurs who bring real-world experience and fresh perspectives, offering valuable insights into areas such as sales strategies, product development, e-commerce, and more. These events provide students with the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of entrepreneurship. Whether you're just starting to explore your interests or already working on your own venture, the Future You Series helps you discover what's possible and prepare for what’s next.
To see our current Future You Series events, click here
Previous Future You Series Events
- Future You is Building a Greener Business Model
- Future You is Sales Pitch Ready
- Future You is ACE-ing Product Development
- Future You is an Entrepreneur: IdeaLab Info Session
- Future You is E-Commerce Ready
- Future You is a Thriving Artist
- Future You is a Tech Startup Mogul
- Future You is an Entrepreneur: LaunchLab Info Session
- Future You is a Social Entrepreneur
- Future You is Self-Employed
- Future You is Patent Ready
- Future You is an Entrepreneur: IdeaLab Info Session
Bigger Picture Series
The Bigger Picture Series is our flagship speaker series, designed to spark big ideas and challenge conventional thinking through the lens of innovative entrepreneurship. Each semester, we focus on a unique and relevant topic, pairing a hands-on workshop with an inspiring talk from a guest speaker. These events are often created in collaboration with local businesses and entrepreneurs, giving students the chance to learn from real-world experiences and community-driven innovation. The Bigger Picture Series encourages students to think creatively, explore new perspectives, and connect with leaders who are making an impact.
Previous Bigger Picture Series Events
Indigenous Entrepreneurship: This two-part event featured an Indigenous beading workshop led by Marissa Magneson and a keynote by Jenn Harper of Cheekbone Beauty, highlighting both traditional and modern approaches to Indigenous entrepreneurship through the voices of two Indigenous women leaders.
Reclaim and Create - Unboxing Innovation in Food Recovery: Held over two days in partnership with CommunityFEWD, this event featured a “Chopped”-style cooking class where students used reclaimed food destined for waste to create innovative gourmet dishes while learning about food recovery and social impact.
Cracking the Code about Circularity: Hosted in collaboration with the Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL), this event focused on circular business and sustainability, featuring a panel of experts from Fixed Gear Brewing, Hospitality Services, 10C, and COIL who shared insights, resources, and practical steps for entrepreneurs and innovators looking to build more sustainable, circular business models.
LaunchLab Expo
The LaunchLab Expo is a dynamic, trade show–style event that showcases the innovative ventures developed by student founders in the final phase of the Hub Incubator’s LaunchLab program. Hosted in the University Centre Courtyard, this drop-in event offers attendees the chance to explore a wide range of student-led businesses, connect directly with the founders, and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award. The Expo marks the culmination of three months of intensive work developing their business. Throughout weekly sessions, these student entrepreneurs dive into topics like budgeting, go-to-market strategies, branding, sales, and investor pitching.
Open to students, faculty, staff, industry professionals, and community members, the LaunchLab Expo is not only a celebration of student innovation, but also an opportunity to network, provide feedback, and support the next generation of entrepreneurs as they take bold steps toward launching their ventures! For more information, click here
The John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise is developing innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Guelph. We look for innovative and sustainable solutions to economic, social and environmental problems. It is through this mission that we empower a new generation of business leaders committed to community engagement and a sustainable future. We instill in our students a sense of social responsibility and leadership, character-building values that help develop citizenship. We help to bring ideas to life!