Building Our New Economy

“The Nova Scotia economy will be generating 4,200 new business start-ups per year, a 50% increase over the current 10 year average.”

[Goal 4; The Report of the Nova Scotia Commission on Building Our New Economy, February 2014]

Want to work in tech?

Nova Scotia needs more programmers

Nova Scotia needs more designers

Nova Scotia needs more product managers

Nova Scotia needs more startups

Nova Scotia needs more diversity in tech

Cape Breton University's UIT Startup Immersion

“With an immersive experience that combines entrepreneurship and technology, we can support the growth of existing companies and inspire new ones to start.”

[Gavin Uhma, Founder of UIT; Cofounder GoInstant (acquired by Salesforce.com in 2012)]

Diploma in IT Entrepreneurship*Students learn to build web and mobile apps,

preparing them for a career in the tech sector — either by joining a company or launching one of their own!

Diploma in IT Entrepreneurship*

PortfolioHTML and CSS

Responsive designDomain namesCloud servers

Chat AppJavascript

UX/UI DesignClient-side database

Version Control via Git

SaaS AppProject PlanningData Structures

AngularJS

Social NetworkMEAN Stack:

MongoDBExpressAngularNode.js

Mobile AppHybrid mobile appMulti-faceted API

Testing via emulation/ deployment

iOS store & Google Play!

BrainstormingStartup Methodology & CultureIdeation, Problems, Customers,

& Solutions

Product RoadmapIdentifying customer problemsMatching solutions to problemsDetermining market potential

Build SomethingProduct-Market Fit

PitchingAnalysing customer feedback

GrowthBusiness Planning

Accounting/Budgeting/ForecastsBuilding a Team

Valuation & Investment

Who should apply?

We don't necessarily look for previous education or coding experience.

We look for an aptitude for self-directed learning and a desire for a career in the tech industry. In other words, we look for ambition and potential!

We look for an aptitude for self-directed learning and a desire for a career in the technology industry. In other words, we look for ambition and potential.

Game Changer

“Translating Canada’s science & technology strengths into successful, globally competitive companies requires the private sector, post-secondary institutions,

governments and other[s] to work together more strategically to achieve greater impact.”

[Government of Canada Budget 2016]

Industry Led

Our curriculum is sourced from industry experts

Our students are coached and mentored by industry professionals

Our program is sponsored by industry leaders

Government and University Supported

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Nova Scotia, Department of Labour & Advanced Education

Cape Breton University

Student Focussed

Land a job or launch a startup

Expand your professional network

Get a post-secondary diploma or pursue a Bachelor's degree

Obsessed with Student Success“UIT has given me the mentorship and resources I needed

to uncover a passion for programming.”

[Carol Louie]

Obsessed with Student Success“I came to UIT and found myself becoming an entrepreneur

— and loving it!”

[Brian Best]

Early Outcomes

90% of alumni have landed jobs or launched companies

50% of alumni have received seed funding through competitions and/or investments

50% of students from outside Nova Scotia have stayed and co-founded companies

Diversity in Tech

Student cohort is 50% women — thanks in part to our industry-sponsored Women in Tech Bursary.

How can UIT support First Nations and Aboriginal populations and visible minorities to pursue technology and entrepreneurship as a career?

Tuition & Bursaries

3 university semesters — tuition is approximately $9,000*

Students who are eligible may receive bursaries for one, two or all three semesters

Students may also apply for university scholarships and student loans

Want to work in tech?

UITstartup.org