Venture for Canada Launches Fellowship Academy: A 60-Hour Shortcut into Canada’s Startup World

TORONTO, ON / July 28, 2025 – Venture for Canada (VFC) proudly launches Fellowship Academy, an 8-week, part-time career accelerator designed to give young Canadians a fast, practical, and community-backed entry point into the country’s innovation economy.
In just 8 weeks, the program is designed to offer immersive training in the skills and mindsets early-stage companies are actively hiring for, including sales, customer discovery, growth marketing, AI literacy, pitching, and rapid experimentation. The curriculum also focuses on emotional intelligence, values articulation, narrative development, feedback literacy, and collaboration preparing participants to not only land roles, but lead with purpose.
“Canada’s innovation economy is growing, but access to it remains uneven. While programs for founders are increasing, there’s a gap for early-career professionals who want to build entrepreneurial skills, explore the ecosystem, and gain experience working in innovation before committing to a full career pivot.”
– Gina Patterson, Chief Programs Officer, Venture for Canada
Backed by a decade of experience running one of Canada’s most trusted career accelerators, Fellowship Academy is testing what the next evolution of VFC’s flagship Fellowship program could and should look like. Informed by national research and participant feedback, this new model is shorter, more flexible, and more accessible — built to meet the shifting realities of today’s job market and the needs of tomorrow’s startup leaders.
The 8-week hybrid format includes:
- A 4-day in-person training camp in Vancouver
- Two virtual sprints focused on Sales, Marketing, and Applied AI
- Weekly live sessions, hands-on deliverables, and expert guidance
- A 1-day in-person graduation and alumni celebration
- Access to a national network of 500+ alumni, startup leaders and founders across Canada
Designed to fit around work, school, or caregiving responsibilities, the part-time model is intentionally built for access, prioritizing equity, with a focus on supporting participants from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other historically excluded communities.
“Eleven years ago, we launched the Fellowship Program to equip young Canadians with the skills and mindsets to build entrepreneurial careers—and that mission remains just as urgent today,” says Scott Stirrett, Founder & CEO of Venture for Canada. “Fellowship Academy is a new program model we’re piloting—shorter, more accessible, and designed to lower the barriers to entering Canada’s innovation economy.”
– Scott Stirrett, Founder & CEO, Venture for Canada
Ready to launch your startup career?
Apply now to join the next generation of entrepreneurial talent building Canada’s innovation economy. Applications are now open, with just 60 seats available for the Fall 2025 cohort.
Know someone who’d be a great fit? Share this opportunity with them or send them the link to apply.
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.
About Fellowship Academy
Fellowship Academy is a 8-week, part-time career accelerator for entrepreneurial Canadians looking to break into the startup world — but unsure where to start. Through live workshops, an immersive 4-day in-person training camp, and hands-on projects, you’ll gain practical, employer-validated skills startups actually hire for, all while joining one of Canada’s most trusted startup communities.
Connect with Venture for Canada:
Website: https://ventureforcanada.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/venture-for-canada/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venture4canada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Venture4Canada Podcast: https://perspectives.ventureforcanada.ca/podcast

