Skip to Main Content

Ivey MBA Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Launch your business with an Ivey MBA

Ivey is proud to offer the best suite of courses and opportunities for entrepreneurs than any other business school in Canada. We are home to the largest entrepreneurship Faculty in Canada and are recognized as one of the top entrepreneurship schools worldwide.

Certificate in Entrepreneurship

In partnership with the Western Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, Powered by Ivey, we offer the opportunity for MBA students to receive a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. Components of the certificate include completion of a set of career-focused elective courses, networking opportunities, and real-world experiences like the Ivey New Venture Project, that will best position you to begin your entrepreneurial journey.

Applications for the Entrepreneurship Certificate cohort are due in July during the year students are enrolled in the MBA. Enrolment in the certificate program includes:

  • Regular mixers with alumni, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Morrissette Entrepreneurship Advisory Board members across Western/Ivey
  • Entrepreneurship-focused elective courses*
  • Completion of New Venture Project*
  • Option for enrolment in Western Accelerator for MBA course credit
  • Access to mentorship and funding opportunities
  • Consideration for additional entrepreneurship-focused in-program scholarships
  • Entrepreneurship Bootcamp event (offered three times per year)
  • Masterclasses and coaching with successful Ivey/Western Entrepreneurs

*Required for certificate completion

Ivey New Venture Project

The Ivey New Venture Project (INVP) is an entrepreneurial, team-based Ivey Field Project (IFP) that takes students through the process of:

  • Developing and refining an idea for a new venture
  • Researching and analyzing the opportunity
  • Building a detailed and compelling Business Model and Plan
  • Creating and presenting an "Investor Pitch" to an external review panel or potential investors

With the help of coaching from Ivey Faculty and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, the INVP culminates with the submission of a written plan and a live 'investor pitch' to an external venture review panel. Over the years, some of our MBA graduates have launched their INVP into successful new businesses.

Western Accelerator

The Western Accelerator is an immersive education in entrepreneurship for high-potential ventures. Accepted founders receive mentorship, education, and funding with the goal of accelerating the life cycle of these ventures.

Ivey MBA students who complete the New Venture Project can compete for a spot in the Western Accelerator. Successful teams have the option of joining the January intake of the accelerator for MBA course credit or, may choose to complete all coursework and enroll in the May intake of the accelerator after completing the MBA program.

Accelerator Profiles

Laura, Kathleen and Abhimany of Nabli

Laura, Kathleen and Abhimany of Nabli

Sarvie Golestaneh of Beavos

Sarvie Golestaneh of Beavos

Ivey MBA '24s Aaron Olajide, and Kenneth Kanlisi

Breaking barriers: helping immigrants move and manage money globally

Colton James, Michael Cooper, Bruno Saux, and Grant Sparling II

Democratizing Whiskey Cask Investing

Sari Sartawi

Out for delivery

Cassidy Richards, Alexandra MacKinnon, Rachel Dales, and Nicole Di Carlo

Snacks for a protein-powered future

Martin Ugo Thumb

MARTIN UGO, MBA 2021

Certificate in Entrepreneurship, Ivey Entrepreneurship Fellowship Recipient

“The networking opportunities were one of the best parts of receiving the Entrepreneurship Fellowship and participating in the Western Accelerator. I had the opportunity to meet and receive mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders who listened to my ideas and gave recommendations on how best to go to market. I was able to apply the knowledge and advice I received from the Accelerator workshops to my business immediately.”

Entrepreneurship Elective Courses

Students who want to enroll in the Entrepreneurship Certificate program are required to complete the following elective courses during the MBA program, in addition to the NVP:

  • New Venture Creation
  • Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Managing High Growth Companies

For additional elective courses and detailed course descriptions recommended for entrepreneurs, view our career-focused electives listing.

Meet Our Ivey Entrepreneurs

Testimonial Gillian Mciver

Gillian McIver, MBA 2021

“The entire ecosystem of the MBA gave me the confidence, knowledge, and insights to launch my business after graduating. The New Venture Project was fundamental in providing the building blocks of how to take my idea from concept to market, Entrepreneurial Finance instilled practices that I utilize within my business, and it was invaluable to have access to mentors through the Western Accelerator and learn from their entrepreneurial experiences.”

Neeraj Nair

Neeraj Nair, MBA 2021

Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Schulich Award in Entrepreneurship Scholarship Recipient

“The selection of elective classes is designed to provide with students with a solid foundation of the skills required to take on the daunting task of dedicating your valuable time and energy into a startup. I believe the exposure to this curriculum instills a sense of confidence when you do decide to take that leap of faith.”

Testimonial Sarvie Golestaneh

Sarvie Golestaneh, MBA 2025

Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Doug Burgoyne Entrepreneurship Award Recipient

“The entrepreneurship stream at Ivey gave me inspiration, tools, support and the confidence needed to pursue this path. Working with my peers throughout the New Venture project brought out some of our best skills, and the accelerator gave us the means to prioritize and launch!”

Connect with Ivey Business School