Sprott Gift Launches Entrepreneurship Degree
Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business is launching a three-year Bachelor of Entrepreneurship program in fall 2027, backed by a $10 million donation from alumnus and namesake Eric Sprott, obj.ca reported.
The new degree aims to widen access to business education by dropping traditional math requirements. Dean Howard Nemiroff told obj.ca that the program targets students with drive and business acumen who might otherwise be shut out due to missing two Grade 12 math prerequisites.
Students Learn Practical Business Creation and Pitching Skills
The curriculum focuses on practical business creation rather than traditional academics. Students will participate in boot camps covering business plan development, team building, talent recognition, and pitching to angel investors or venture capitalists, according to obj.ca.
Nemiroff noted that artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping the modern job market. Consequently, more graduates are turning to entrepreneurship to build agile, independent career paths.
Twenty-Five Years of University Support
Eric Sprott’s latest contribution brings his total giving to Carleton University to $25 million over the past 25 years, obj.ca reported. This total includes $20 million directed to the business school and $5 million dedicated to student bursaries.
The university formally announced the gift on October 26 during an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the naming of the Sprott School of Business, carleton.ca reported. President and Vice-Wisdom Tettey stated that the gift supports Carleton’s long-term strategic vision leading toward its centennial in 2042.
“I like the fact that they're starting a new (program) for entrepreneurship,” alumnus and investor Eric Sprott said.
Keeping Venture Capital Local
University leaders intend for the program to strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ottawa. Nemiroff told obj.ca that the initiative aims to provide students with the space, mentorship, connections, and financial support necessary to keep successful ventures and capital within Canada rather than losing them to Silicon Valley.
The funding will also establish a self-reinforcing flywheel. Alumni and student ventures that generate financial returns will subsequently fund future cohorts of founders, according to obj.ca.
“The last thing I want is for a really successful company to go down to Silicon Valley and look for capital there if we can build it here,” Nemiroff said.
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