Venture for Canada Launches New Pathway to Business Ownership with ETA Academy

Jennie Wedd Updated: November 15, 2024

TORONTO, ONT./ November 15, 2024 – Venture for Canada (VFC) proudly announces the launch of its Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) Academy, Canada’s first community-based course for aspiring business owners to explore the process of buying a business. This 5-week course provides hands-on learning, self-assessment tools, and a collaborative network to help participants determine if business acquisition aligns with their goals.

In a shifting business landscape where over 76% of Canadian small-business owners plan to exit their businesses within the next decade, ETA provides young entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to revitalize established operations with fresh energy. This fuels economic growth through new perspectives, investment, and innovation while helping preserve the viable businesses that are vital to Canada’s economy. With approximately 54,000 businesses currently listed for sale, as reported by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab (BDL), there is an urgent need for a new generation of business owners.

While Canada offers strong support for startups, resources for acquiring established businesses remain scarce—especially compared to the range of ETA programs available in the U.S. VFC’s ETA Academy addresses this gap with a Canadian-specific, introductory course tailored for professionals curious about ETA but not yet ready to commit to a degree or full acquisition. The program emphasizes exploration, self-assessment, and practical skills within a collaborative cohort setting, empowering participants to determine whether business acquisition aligns with their goals and opening doors for those who might otherwise lack access to this field.

Developed over nine months with input from over 80 experts, ETA Academy equips participants with practical skills for identifying, evaluating, and managing acquisitions while connecting them with mentors and peers. This course fosters economic growth by preserving vital businesses and enabling professionals from diverse backgrounds to create wealth and impact.

"The idea for ETA Academy emerged from our commitment to addressing Canada’s small-business succession crisis and the strong demand from Canadians for this type of support,” says Scott Stirrett, CEO & Founder of Venture for Canada. “Our decade of expertise in entrepreneurial training enables us to uniquely guide Canadians on this journey, empowering a new generation of business owners and fueling economic resilience."

ETA Academy’s 40-hour curriculum is designed to accommodate busy professionals with weekly evening Zoom sessions and two in-person meetups in Toronto. Participants will receive guidance from over 25 seasoned experts in the field, including lawyers, bankers, brokers, and experienced business buyers. Instructors include Mario Nigro, Partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP; Cyrus Symoom, Co-CEO of Clariti; and Justine Janssen, Co-Founder of CommonShares.

“The most wonderful aspect of ETA is that it was built on the idea of mentorship,” said Mario Nigro. “It’s a community of people who are here not to compete, but to support and help each other.”

“ETA Academy broadens the pathway to business ownership, particularly for those who have historically been underrepresented in this space,” says Gina Patterson, Chief Program Officer at Venture for Canada. “By providing the right tools, mentorship, and support, we’re not just opening doors—we’re actively encouraging individuals from diverse backgrounds to step into them and discover if ETA is the right fit.”

In addition to its unique format, ETA Academy is designed to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace the risk and reward of business ownership. “There’s always the question of ‘What if I get more experience?’” said Cyrus Symoom, Co-CEO of Clariti. “But the thing that decays most in your 20s and 30s is your risk tolerance, and that decay outweighs any incremental professional experience.”

Dan King, Founder of Fireside Strategic, emphasizes that ETA can be the perfect fit for those seeking growth through entrepreneurship without starting from scratch: “Many of us want the growth that comes from entrepreneurship without the risk of building something entirely new.”

The inaugural ETA Academy cohort is limited to only 25 seats, offering an intimate and focused learning experience. Venture for Canada encourages early applications, as spaces are expected to fill quickly. ETA Academy will run from March 22 to April 27, 2025, and interested individuals are invited to apply through VFC’s website to secure their place.

Are you one of the 25?

We’re looking for driven individuals based in the Greater Toronto Area, eager to explore business ownership through acquisition. Ideal candidates should have at least 4 years of professional experience and a passion for learning in a community-driven environment.

Apply Now

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About ETA Academy Instructors

These seasoned industry experts represent some of our confirmed speakers, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience within the ETA ecosystem, guiding participants through the complexities of business acquisition.

Mario Nigro | Partner at Stikeman Elliott L

Cyrus Symoom | Co-CEO of Clariti

Jake Dancyger | Co-CEO of Clariti

Justine Janssen | Co-Founder, CommonShares, Advisor at Dayforce

Kapil Sukhija | Founder of Kshram Management Consulting Corp (KSMC)

Wils Theagene | Founder & Managing Partner at Citadelle Capital

Jonathan Bega | CEO of Gestalt Capital

Lorraine Rieger | CEO, Growth, Partnership and Exit Strategist at Spirit West Management, Ltd.

Eric Silber | Managing Director at Riverdale Poultry

Michael Cheung | Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Collective XP

Matt Hooper | Partner at The Operand Group

Zack Belzberg | President at Dodds Garage Door Systems

Matt Stone | President & CEO of Footage Tools

Toby Chang | Principal at Relay Investments

Simon Leith | President at Homepro Pest Control

River Ewing | Director at Hadley Family Office

Mark Broadfoot | Co-CEO of Rundle Rock Capital

Peter Jaskiewicz | Director & Founder of The Family Enterprise Legacy Institute

Glen Silvestri | Founder & Managing Partner at Sage Capital

Dan King | Co-Founder at Fireside Strategic

Scott Stirrett | Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada

Touhami Abi | Senior Learning Design Manager at Venture for Canada

About Venture for Canada

Venture for Canada is a national charity that fosters entrepreneurial skills and mindsets in young Canadians. Our vision is a Canada where young people can equitably realize their entrepreneurial potential to build the most prosperous place in the world. We recruit, train, and support young people to work for innovative Canadian small businesses and startups. Through our programs, participants develop the network, knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills to have more impactful careers.