Do you have an idea that you know will change lives? Are you driven by innovation and search for better ways of doing things? Are you looking for ways your post-secondary education can transform your ideas into reality? If you are, then read ahead to learn about Helix – Seneca College’s campus innovation and entrepreneurship incubator.

Do you have an idea that you know will change lives? Are you driven by innovation and search for better ways of doing things? Are you looking for ways your post-secondary education can transform your ideas into reality? If you are, then read ahead to learn about Helix – Seneca College’s campus innovation and entrepreneurship incubator.

Seneca College is one of Ontario’s top post-secondary destinations for international students. It educates around 30,000 full-time students, a quarter of which are international students from more than 150 countries. As a provider of polytechnic education, Seneca college combines professional skills training with a solid theoretical foundation to produce graduates confident in entering the labour market. However, with the changing world needs and the rapid uptake of technology, Seneca adapts by introducing programs that not only highlight hands-on learning but more importantly support students nurture their innovative ideas.

Helix, Seneca’s campus innovation and entrepreneurship incubator, attracts students, graduates, faculty and staff, and members of the community to explore and develop their entrepreneurial mindset. The program provides the necessary tools to launch a start-up, or to innovate within an existing system. Helix’s innovation design framework applies to a wide range of industries, from biotech to social cause to health care and beyond.

As of early 2021, Helix engaged 12,500 participants from all its events and showcased 510 new venture ideas during the pitching sessions. Helix process can be summarized into three key steps:

1) Innovation Strand

This first stage is composed of a series of free workshops that equip participants with the foundational knowledge for their new venture. Topics covered in the workshop include ideation, personal, business model canvas, customer validation, and pitch development. Helix coaches will also support and advise the participants during a three-hour lab session following the workshop.

2) Pitch Event

The pitch event serves as a gate for the two key Helix stages. Those who completed the Innovation Strand have the option to present their venture idea through a two-minute elevator pitch at the Helix Pitch Event.

3) Acceleration Strand

Following participation in the pitch event, participants can enter the acceleration strand. This stage is composed of additional support and guidance to propel the idea forward. There will be sessions and support such as coaching or mentorship, introduction to seed funding, experiential activities such as start-up weekend, incubator space, technology, networking, and links to a wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Helix participants are also entitled to use the Helix space and its facilities such as the innovation lounge, collaboration forum, workstations, technology, meeting spaces, and maker space.

Seneca’s Helix is an amazing opportunity for students to showcase their idea and turn it into reality, all while they pursue and complete their post-secondary education. It proves Seneca’s dedication to hands-on learning and innovation by providing a space to hone entrepreneurial mindset, a skill that is crucial in today’s global landscape but not taught in most traditional education systems.

Got an idea that could change the world? Don’t know where to start? Take the first step by applying to one of Seneca College’s programs through Global Study Guide. Once in, you will get a chance to partake in Helix and see your idea reach the next level.