Venture for Canada Announces the Rawji Fellows Scholarship Fund
At Venture for Canada, we believe that entrepreneurial talent exists in every community across the country. Too often, however, financial barriers prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from accessing the training, networks, and opportunities needed to pursue business ownership.
Today, we are proud to announce the creation of the Rawji Fellows Scholarship Fund, a new needs-based scholarship program that will help make Venture for Canada’s Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Academy more accessible to young Canadians pursuing entrepreneurship through business acquisition.
The scholarship fund has been made possible through a generous gift from entrepreneur, investor, and Venture for Canada supporter Irfhan Rawji. This contribution will provide scholarship support for participants in the ETA Academy, Canada’s first community-based program dedicated to entrepreneurship through acquisition.
The ETA Academy prepares aspiring entrepreneurs to acquire and grow existing small and medium-sized businesses, helping address one of Canada’s most significant economic challenges: business succession. As thousands of business owners approach retirement in the coming years, Canada needs a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped to take over and grow these enterprises.
The Rawji Fellows Scholarship Fund will ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier for talented Canadians who want to pursue this path.
“Talent and entrepreneurial potential exist everywhere, but opportunity does not always reach everyone equally,” said Steven Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Venture for Canada. “The Rawji Fellows Scholarship Fund will help expand access to entrepreneurship through acquisition and support aspiring business owners who might otherwise be unable to participate. We are deeply grateful to Irfhan for his generosity, leadership, and belief in the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs.”
The fund is expected to support approximately 15-20 students each year who are experiencing financial hardship and wish to participate in ETA Academy programs. Scholarship recipients will be selected through Venture for Canada’s needs-based process designed to support equitable access to entrepreneurial education and opportunity.
“I’ve always believed that talent and ambition should matter more than someone’s financial circumstances,” said Irfhan Rawji. “Too many aspiring entrepreneurs have the drive to build a business but lack access to the opportunities, support, and networks that can help them succeed. I’m proud to support Venture for Canada in creating pathways for more young Canadians to develop the skills and confidence to pursue entrepreneurship. When we invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs, we’re investing in stronger businesses, stronger communities, and a stronger future for Canada.”
The announcement was first shared with members of the Venture for Canada community during the 2026 Community Gala, where the creation of the scholarship fund was celebrated as an important step toward expanding access to entrepreneurial opportunity across Canada.
On behalf of the entire Venture for Canada community, we extend our sincere gratitude to Irfhan Rawji for his generosity, partnership, and commitment to developing the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs.
We look forward to sharing the impact of the Rawji Fellows Scholarship Fund and celebrating the entrepreneurs whose journeys it will help make possible.
About Irfhan Rawji
Irfhan Rawji is an investor and entrepreneur. Irfhan is Board Chair of The Logic, Board Member of National Bank (TSX:NA) and Board Member of Wilmington Capital Management (TSX:WCM.A). Irfhan is actively involved in civic affairs, as Board Chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Board Chair of CIFAR, Board Member of Business and the Arts, Board Member of the Aga Khan Museum, and Member of the Canada Council for the Arts. Irfhan holds an MBA with High Honors from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar, and a BCom with Honours from the University of British Columbia, where he was a Wesbrook Scholar.
About Venture for Canada
Venture for Canada is a national charity that develops entrepreneurial skills and mindsets in young Canadians. Through immersive training, work-integrated learning, and community-based programs, Venture for Canada helps emerging leaders gain the experience, confidence, and networks needed to contribute to Canada’s entrepreneurial future. Its ETA Academy is Canada’s first community-based program focused on entrepreneurship through acquisition, preparing aspiring entrepreneurs to acquire, operate, and grow existing small and medium-sized businesses.
Learn More
To learn more about Venture for Canada’s ETA Academy and how the Rawji Fellows Scholarship Fund will help expand access to entrepreneurship through acquisition, visit Venture for Canada’s website or follow along as we share future updates on the impact of the fund.
Those interested in supporting Venture for Canada’s work can connect with our team to learn more about partnership, donation, and community-building opportunities.
