“I never thought that a single week of a business camp could turn into something so immersive, engaging, enlightening and ultimately, just special.”  

-JABC Summer Start-up Camp student 

August 31, 2022– This summer, 28 students from the B.C. Lower Mainland gained the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to launch their own student businesses.  

Over two separate week-long summer sessions, a group of Vancouver and Surrey-area students learned what it takes to start a venture in today’s global economy. Guided by volunteers from the local business community, topics included public speaking, financial management, marketing, corporate social responsibility and much more. The teams were also supported by volunteer JA student ambassadors, JA alumni who had experienced a JA entrepreneurship program in the past.  

Each week ended with a business pitch day. The ideas presented by the students included: 

  • NetworkNow: An app that connects students to volunteer/career enhancing experiences
  • Student Sync: An app that connects high school and post-secondary students to opportunities, each other, and jobs 
  • Macro: A service that provides personalized eating plans to individuals looking to get fit or stay healthy 
  • Pet Pods: A shampoo pod that dissolves in water to bathe pets 
  • UpLift: An app that connects people to personal trainers in the Lower Mainland 
  • Affinity Knives: A better, more ergonomically designed knife called ProKnife 
  • Rent-A-Charge: Portable power banks located in convenient areas across the Lower Mainland 

“Every time I attend one of the JA British Columbia programs I am left flabbergasted by the business ideas and quality of pitches given by students,” said Hassan Pardawalla, a pitch judge for both sessions. “Each business idea was unique.” 

In addition to Hassan Pardawalla, other judges included Max Lane, Vikram Saluja, Davy Chiu, Hassan Paradwalla, Penny Greening and Gabby Gill.   

The students were very appreciative of the camp and all the volunteer support. An attendee said, “Thanks for making it an awesome experience. That was the happiest week of my summer so far.” 

Through JA’s real-world skill-building programs, students learn about risks and rewards of business and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. Learn more about JA’s flagship 16-week program for high school students, JA Company Program, at jabc.org/companyprogram.