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