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The right guidance can change everything.
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Accelerate
your career.
Embark Business Academy ("Em-BA")¹ is a free 14-week virtual summer program for students and new grads to gain business skills, AI fluency and hands-on experience working on real business challenges.
Join live workshops led by industry leaders.
Get paid to work on real business cases.
Compete in teams and pitch for $20K.
You did everything right...
You studied hard. You’re graduated (or you’re about to). And now, the job market feels impossible.
It shouldn’t feel this hard to start your career. But today’s workforce demands practical experience, confidence and real business skills.
Em-BA was built to bridge that gap. Over 14 weeks, you’ll gain hands-on training in business fundamentals, sales, marketing and AI tools. From there, if you are selected to advance to the project stage, you'll apply what you’ve learned in a paid, team-based capstone project solving a real-world problem.
You’ll finish by pitching your solution at graduation, walking away with experience, proof of impact and the confidence to step into the workforce ready to contribute.
Sometimes just a degree won't cut it.
Entry-level roles are shrinking and employer expectations are rising. A diploma alone no longer guarantees you’re job-ready — employers are looking for applied experience, confidence and proof of impact.
Master modern business skills
Start the program with practical training in AI, sales, marketing and operations.
Solve a real company challenge
Work in teams to deliver measurable business impact and receive a $3K honourarium.
Pitch for $20K
Pitch your case study and compete for a shared $20K prize amongst your team of five students.
Your journey from learning to earning.
This program moves in stages. You’ll first build the skills employers expect, then apply them to a real business challenge, and finally present your work in a competitive pitch setting.
Apply by April 20, 2026
Apply & get selected
Submit your application (short answers + background information).
Wait to hear back from our team if you were selected to participate.
Orientation & program setup
Attend a virtual orientation session to meet your cohort and program leads.
Gain access to learning materials and workshop schedule.
Business & skills training (May–June)
Attend part-time virtual workshops (live, instructor-led).
Learn business fundamentals, sales, marketing, AI tools and professional communication.
Paid capstone project (July–August)
If selected, join a team and receive a real business case to work on over 8 weeks. From the initial cohort, 25 participants will be selected.
Get structured support from DMZ mentors and weekly check-ins.
Receive a $3,000 honourarium for completing this phase.
Final Pitch & Graduation
Present your team’s solution at a live graduation event and compete for an additional $20,000 in funding.
Leave with a portfolio-ready case study and clear examples of measurable impact.
Who should apply?
The Em-BA program focuses on underrepresented students and those outside of STEM who've historically had fewer pathways into the workforce.
Age & location • You're 18–29 at program start and based anywhere in Canada (virtual program).
Post-secondary status • You're a current student or recent grad from a Canadian college or university.
Part-time availability • You're available May through August for workshops and team project work.
Driven & coachable • You show up prepared, are eager to grow and can work collaboratively in a team setting.
¹Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ has received $500,000 from the Embark Student Foundation to launch the Embark Business Academy (Em-BA).
The Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program provides funding for innovative programs, initiatives or services that support student success before, during and beyond their post-secondary years. Through this grant program, Embark wishes to partner with post-secondary educational institutions in their efforts to advance access, agency and innovation that will empower students to take hold of their future.
Embark Student Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation and owner of Embark Student Corp., Canada’s resource for education savings and planning.
"Embark,” the Embark logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are registered trademarks of Embark Student Corp. in Canada