With funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI), the BBOT has launched a one-year project to provide youth immigrant newcomers between the ages of 16 to 24 with the opportunity to learn and develop entrepreneurial skills. Youth participants will receive hands -on business training, and will develop business plans under the mentorship of BBOT employer-members.

The project, developed by Dr. Yamil H, Alonso, BBOT-Skills Without Borders Project Manager, will be part of the MCI Strategic Partnerships Initiatives: Youth Opportunities Pilot Program.

The project caters to youth aged 16 to 24, who are not attending any type of school or post-secondary training (i.e. high school, university/college students are not eligible), and provides training based on a developed curriculum covering market research and testing of a business idea, development of a business plan, start up costs, marketing and advertisement, basic corporate law, HR legislation, accounting and taxation.

Youth completing the basic instructional component will be asked to develop a business plan, under the mentorship of a BBOT member. The top three business plans will receive incentives for try-out/implementation.

Project main tasks/activities include:

• Curriculum Development; Selection of Learning Materials; Appointment of In-Kind Presenters


• Development of Promotional Materials; Advertisement and recruiting


• Business Training (Business Presentations/Seminars/Workshops delivered by Distinguished BBOT member-entrepreneur)


• Let's Talk Business Cafe


• One-on-one Mentorships; Development of Business Plans


• Placement and "Entrepreneurs Shadowing"


• Review, Validation and Approval of Business Plans; Awarding of Bursaries for Business Start Up.


• Participation in BBOT Networking Events


• Global Youth Entrepreneurs EXPO


• BBOT Certificate upon Completion