VentureLab
About the VentureLab Program
VentureLab is open to full-time University of Guelph students who are currently developing a business, service, side gig, or business idea and are looking to get their first customers, or expand their existing customer base.
Whether you're selling handmade products, offering graphic design services, running a window-washing business, building an online business, or developing your next big idea, VentureLab will give you the tools and support to turn your work into a stronger, more sustainable business.
VentureLab is delivered by the John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise in partnership with the Guelph-Wellington Business Centre (GWBC).
The goal of VentureLabs is to help you build the skills, confidence, and connections to turn your business into something sustainable and improve life around the Guelph-Wellington ecosystem!
Program Details
The program includes:
A small cohort of 14 student entrepreneurs
A $300 stipend upon successful completion of all required program activities
1.5-hour weekly sessions for 6 weeks
Practical learning and activities you can apply directly to your business
Connections to local entrepreneurship resources and support
Through weekly sessions, you'll learn practical entrepreneurship skills including:
Identifying opportunities and understanding your customers
Conducting market research and customer discovery
Building your brand and marketing your business
Developing efficient business operations and processes
Understanding pricing, costs, revenue, and financial planning
Creating sustainable business models and planning for growth
You'll apply what you learn directly to your own business while connecting with other student entrepreneurs and building a network within the Guelph-Wellington entrepreneurial community.
Student Eligibility Criteria
In order to apply to VentureLab, students must:
- Be a currently enrolled full-time University of Guelph student.
- *Staff, faculty, alumni, and members of the public are not eligible to participate in this program.
- Have an existing business, service, side gig, or business idea they are actively interested in pursuing within the Fall 2026 semester.
- Be able to attend a weekly 1.5-hour session for the duration of the program
- Dates: Tuesdays from October 20 - November 24
- Time: 1 PM - 2:30 PM
- Be willing to actively work on their business between sessions.
- Be willing to participate in program activities, complete required learning activities, and meet program expectations.
- Be interested in building a business that can generate revenue and/or become a significant source of income.
- Be interested in operating or developing their business in Guelph-Wellington or the surrounding community, where applicable.
Application Process
The application consists of 3 sections:
B. Business Information section (business name, revenue (if any), goals, challenges, customers, etc)
C. A 1-minute selfie video describing you and your business (this will need to be uploaded at the end)
Please have this information and your selfie video ready before you begin the application process!
Blank or partial applications will not be considered or reviewed. If you are unsure on a question, do not leave it blank. Use your best guess or type "I am unsure at this time".
At this time, this program is only available to current University of Guelph students enrolled in full-time studies.
Applications close on Sunday, September 20th, 2026 at 11:59 PM.