ITALIA360
Start building here.
Empowering student entrepreneurs who are immigrants, first-generation Canadians or of Italian heritage.
Get 1:1 mentorship from DMZ and Italia360 experts.
Join workshops and connect with Canada’s top founders.
Access TMU’s Zone Learning and advisory support network.
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Start Date
Closed
Program
Italia360
8 weeks
In-person and virtual
Free program
Program
Italia360
Start Date
Closed
8 weeks
In-person and virtual
Free program
From student to founder.
Start with an idea, leave with the skills, support and network to build something real.
Launch your first venture
Turn your idea into a startup through workshops, pitching and support.
Learn from mentors
Work closely with founders, industry leaders and Italia360 advisors weekly.
Join the community
Students, founders and innovators—connected across Canada.
Grow real skills
Get training in sales, marketing, legal, branding and pitching.
Italia360 was a transformative experience. The program introduced me to a supportive community, provided tailored mentorship, expanded my network, and sharpened my pitching skills—helping me win the pitch competition.
Julia Pia
CEO & Founder, Ment Projects
A week-by-week
learning experience.
A guided program built to take you from early-stage idea to real-world
startup launch.
Program validation & prototyping
Week 1 • Entrepreneurship 101 & goal setting.
Week 2 • Design thinking & customer discovery.
Week 3 • Stream specific workshop.
Go to market
Week 4 • Pitching & storytelling.
Week 5 • Product launch & sales (stream-specific).
Week 6 • Messaging & marketing.
Pitching & storytelling
Week 7 • Financing & legal + pitch practice.
Week 8 • Italia360 finals.
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Who should apply?
Here are some factors we look for in Italia360 applicants:
Student status • In school or recently graduated (within 8 months of start date).
Age range • Between 18–35 years old at the time of application.
Cultural identity • Identify as immigrant, first-gen Canadian, or of Italian descent.
Business idea • Have an early-stage business, project, or concept you want to grow.
Team mindset • Collaborative, coachable & committed to the learning process.
Time commitment • Available 2–4 hours/week for the full 8-week program.
Our partners
Italia360 helps first-generation and Italian heritage students turn bold ideas into real startups—with hands-on support from mentors, experts, and a like-minded community.
The DMZ helps tech startups grow by connecting them with capital, customers, and experts—so founders can focus on scaling their business, not doing it alone.