Sign up for JA Company Program

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Sign up for JA Company Program2023-03-03T09:08:07-08:00

JA Company Program is a 16-week course that allows students in grades 10-12 to learn about business and entrepreneurship.

Students from across B.C. – Join us this fall and walk away with the tools and resources required to build your own start-up! You will be placed in a team and will work collaboratively with other students to learn about human centered design thinking, creative product development, product life cycles, e-commerce, app development and more. You’ll also develop your teamwork, decision making and critical thinking skills.

Over the course of the program, you will run your own business, from idea generation to company liquidation. You will use real money, real products and have real customers. You will be part of a group of inspired and prepared individuals creating business strategies and personal action plans.

Who Can Participate?

Students in grades 10-12 from across B.C. may join at no cost.

2022-23 Program Dates

Start dates are various throughout the year. Meetings will run weeknights between 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm PST and students pick one meeting night for the duration of the program.

The program will not run over December or March breaks.

Time Commitment

Two hours each week will be required (includes weekly team meetings and workshops), plus individual prep work.

Location

The program will be held in-person and online.

In-person meetings will be limited to ten students per evening program. For the online program, access to a computer/mobile device and a stable internet connection is required.

Mentorship Opportunities

Students get the opportunity to work with business leaders and entrepreneurs from across B.C.

JA COMPANY PROGRAM: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Virtual JA Company Program 

Meeting times: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm 

Start date: April 4, 2023

End date: June 27, 2023  

Location: Zoom meeting

ENROL HERE

JA Company Program – In-Person at the University of Victoria. Hosted by HighTech U.

Meeting times: Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00 pm 

Start date: March 1, 2023

No sessions on these dates (spring break): March 22 and 29 

End date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023  

Location: University of Victoria- Engineering Lab Wing Building 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6

ENROL HERE

JA Company Program – Online 

Meeting times: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm  

Start date: November 15, 2022

No sessions on these dates (holidays): December 20 & 27, 2022. Last session: March 14, 2023

Location: Zoom meeting 

NOW FULL

JA Company Program – In-Person at APASS Education Group (Kerrisdale, Vancouver) 

Meeting times: Thursdays, 5:00-7:00 pm 

Start date: October 20, 2022

No sessions on these dates (holidays): December 22nd and 29th  

End date: February 16, 2023  

Location: 2140 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6M 1Z1

NOW FULL

JA Company Program – In-Person at Elite Educational Institute (Richmond campus)  

Meeting times: Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm 

Start date: November 9, 2022

Location: #5560 – 8181 Cambie Road, Richmond, B.C. V6X 3X9 

NOW FULL

JA Company Program – Online 

Meeting times: Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm  

Start date: November 16, 2022

No sessions on these dates (holidays): December 21 & 28, 2022. Last session: March 15, 2023

Location: Zoom meeting 

NOW FULL

JA Company Program – In-Person at KPMG 

Meeting times: Wednesdays, 5-7 pm 

Start date: Mid-October: 13th or 20th (TBC) 

Location: 777 Dunsmuir St 11th Floor, Vancouver, B.C. V7Y 1K3 

NOW FULL

More JA Company Program opportunities are coming this summer and fall! Please contact Josh Willemsen at josh.willemsen@jabc.org if you have any questions. 

Please note space is limited in each program opportunity and will close when maximum registrations have been reached.

Why sign up for JA Company Program?

With the UN Decade of Action calling for accelerated sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges by 2030, there’s no better time than now to tackle some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Address important topics such as Climate Action, Life Below Water, Reduced Inequalities and many more in your own innovative solutions to spark social change in your very own community.

STUDENTS

  • Gain valuable business experience, job and leadership skills

  • Compete for awards and scholarships through JABC and JA Canada

  • Obtain valuable contacts and references

  • Build your CV for university and job applications

  • Counts toward Work Experience requirements of your school

  • Experience the enjoyment and excitement of entrepreneurship!

VOLUNTEER MENTORS

  • Help guide a young person’s career path
  • Enhance your own business and facilitation skills

  • Network with other volunteers

  • Help build talent needed for the future

Learn about volunteering

EDUCATORS

Learn about JA Company Program- In-School

Look at some recent JA Company Program ventures

Apiculture

Apiculture

Apiculture makes wooden coasters to educate the community about pollinator protection. (Kamloops)

Bacup

Bacup

Bacup creates waterproof covers for your bag or backpack. (Vancouver)

CultureCase

CultureCase

CultureCase celebrates multiculturalism by making pleasingly designed phone cases. (Vancouver)

EcoMesh

EcoMesh

EcoMesh produces eco-friendly washable, reusable, and biodegradable bags meant to carry produce when grocery shopping. (Burnaby)

Flax Pax

Flax Pax

Flax Pax develops hot/cold packs made from 100% natural burlap, whole flaxseed, and dried lavender.

Hulle

Hulle

Hulle creates repurposed leather coffee sleeves.

Juggle

Juggle

Juggle is a video game app that entertains youth while also increasing their awareness of the effects of ocean pollution.

Klick

Klick

Klick Co. is a group of students working together to improve road safety with a bike signalling device that works in addition to hand signals! (Vancouver)

Parabox

Parabox

Parabox creates recyclable boxes for every purpose. (Vancouver)

Pauseedivity

Pauseedivity

Pauseedivity produces lively plants for your home. All proceeds go to the Vancouver General Hospital for Covid-19 relief. (Vancouver)

Planture

Planture

Planture is a mobile reminder app that sends users a daily notification with a task on how they can personally contribute to helping the planet. (Vancouver)

Raindrop Bathbombs

Raindrop Bathbombs

Raindrop supplies pre-packaged, high-quality eco-friendly bath bombs at an affordable price. (Vancouver)

Recycled Sounds

Recycled Sounds

Recycled Sounds creates speakers & smartphone accessories using reclaimed wood & locally sourced materials, to improve your media experience. (Kamloops)

ReNotify

ReNotify

ReNotify makes notebooks with washable, reusable pages that work with most washable markers. (North Vancouver)

Sucseed

Sucseed

Sucseed sells seed paper products, planting success, one seed at a time.

Tao Plants

Tao Plants

Tao Plant sells plant kits with basil seeds to continue to promote sustainability. (Vancouver)

Need more inspiration? Check out these previous JA Student Companies that applied for Awards and Scholarships

Apiary Logo
BeeFresh Logo
Klick Logo
Watch
Watch
Watch

Battle of the Ads

Students in the online program, who finalized their student-run business product ideas, were invited to produce a 30 second commercial for a showcase and competition. Take a look.

Watch

In the News

Student Company Wild Coasters was featured in the Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News in January 2019. View it here

FAQs

What if I’m not interested in business? Is this program for me?2018-08-28T05:59:59-07:00

JA Company Program isn’t just for future entrepreneurs. No matter where you are headed, you will acquire real life knowledge that can help you on your career path. You will develop important presentation, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and communication skills which are valuable in any job.

What type of business do I start?2018-08-28T05:59:53-07:00

You and your teammates have the freedom to brainstorm and go through the creative process to decide on any product you’d like. The Company Program  page has some past student projects for inspiration.

Can I bring my friends or family to a meeting?2018-08-28T05:59:46-07:00

Only students who have registered online can attend the meetings. If there is still room at the location you’ve signed up for, invite your friends to register online to participate.

How much does it cost?2018-08-28T05:59:40-07:00

It’s free! Thanks to our many donors and volunteers, we are able to provide this program to students at NO COST! You are only responsible for your transportation to and from meetings and any meals/snacks.

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