BEA Learning Community

#JoinTheAlliance at the BEA and discover familiar support from a vibrant group of Black professionals & entrepreneurs.

BEA Learning Community

Important conversations with the right company

The BEA Learning Community is a free, educational environment for Black professionals to speak openly about our underrepresented ecosystem, and identify possible paths for a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.

Our unique, year-round hybrid program gives early-stage and aspiring Black entrepreneurs the knowledge they need to navigate systemic barriers, execute business ideas, and push our community forward.

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Unlock our collection of ongoing mini-series covering all aspects of Black entrepreneurship—from fun lifestyle chats to industry interviews.

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Early-in-career and aspiring Black-identifying entrepreneur seeking accessible, professional courses, a network of like-minded individuals, and representation within Canada’s business ecosystem.

We believe in Black excellence

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Topics In the Program

From fundamentals to funding

The Business Ideation Process

Learn the start-to-finish process of generating, developing, and evaluating your business ideas.

Finances 101

Develop the financial fluency needed to ensure a successful business launch.

Entrepreneurship 101

What does it mean to pursue entrepreneurship? In this module, you’ll examine entrepreneurship as a viable career pathway, and develop the mindset and self-assessment tools needed to succeed on this path.

Business Structure Fundamentals

Discover the various types of business structures in Canada, and learn which one will best support your business goals and vision.

Conducting Market Research

When new businesses fail, it’s often because of inadequate market research. In this module, you’ll uncover the importance of market research and how to conduct it with precision.

Sales & Marketing

Dive into the foundations of revenue. This module will take you through the sales and marketing strategies that lead to successful business growth.

Business Model Canvas (BMC) & Customer Persona

Perfect your business model by identifying your target customers’ needs and how they’ll be using your product.

Entrepreneurial Goal Setting

Master the art of goal setting as an early-stage Black entrepreneur.

Mental Health as a Black Entrepreneur

Develop practical stress management and coping techniques to keep moving forward in your entrepreneurial journey.

Funding - Bootstrap, Loan, Grants & Private Investments

Navigate the financing landscape as a Black entrepreneur, and discover the various paths to secure funding for your business.

Early StartUp Lab - Student CO-OP Youth Program (TDSB YRDSB)

A 4-month immersive program designed for Black youth innovators in TDSB Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, Black Students Summer Leadership Program and YRDSB Centre for Black Excellence Entrepreneurship Co-Op. Our program guides aspiring innovators through entrepreneurship essentials, including idea generation, business planning, financial literacy, marketing, and more. Students won’t just learn about entrepreneurship; they’ll live it, taking on challenges that real-world founders face, including developing business plans and pitching ideas, managing real projects, making pivotal decisions, and navigating the challenges of launching a startup. By the end, participants emerge with knowledge and firsthand experience in the entrepreneurial lifestyle, ready to turn their visions into ventures. The Early Startup Lab is the perfect place to turn curiosity into creation and dreams into tangible startups.

A program that opens new doors

The BEA Learning Community gives members access to ongoing online content, community events, and more.

Hear from our graduates

“I recommend this program to anyone willing to learn how to better themselves and grow their business. On top of networking opportunities outside of class time, I found a great support system of peers to help each other mentally. I learned a lot about myself as a business owner, and how my emotions can affect my profit, growth and skills. Getting to learn different points of view in a free environment helps us build better opportunities to work together in the community by connecting and supporting each other to ensure growth in our business goals.”

Christine Robinson

Chef Chrissy Cuisine

“Joining this program was probably the most powerful professional and developmental experience that I could have had… The collective experience of different minds from the city coming together under one roof was so inspiring. We were all at different points on our career path, so I learned a lot from both the professors and my peers.”

Fahad Y.

Manager at a social housing provider

“Being in a supportive space week after week with Black entrepreneurs and end engaged educators was what germinated the seeds that had been planted. Being in the program through BEA helped open our doors to customers in the summer of 2023.”

Samantha Harris

Our Neighbours’ Farm and Homestead

“BEA is the real deal! There are many programs in our community seeking to help entrepreneurs launch, grow and scale their businesses. BEA makes it happen! Not only do they provide you with the necessary training, skills, and education—they provide the connections that can give you the right opportunity to network and catapult your business to the next level.”

Donna Gardner

Mehetta Bammies

The BEA program allowed me to meet with amazing mentors and business resources that allowed me to "think outside of the box" where my business is concerned. With the help of this program, I can now pivot with confidence and reassurance. A big thank you to everyone involved with BEA. If you have a food or beverage business idea and want to take it to the next level, this is the program to get in.

Julie Denny

Sweet Treatz

Our application process

Fill out our application form at the link below to tell us a bit about yourself and your business idea(s).
The BEA team will review your application to ensure the Learning Community is where you’ll gain the most value.
Our team will be in touch with you to either walk you through next steps, or refer you to other programs that are better matched for your goals.

Program & application faq

Learn more details about the program below, or get in touch with us for all other enquiries.

What is the BEA Learning Community?

Our unique, year-round hybrid program gives early-stage and aspiring Black entrepreneurs the knowledge they need to navigate systemic barriers, execute business ideas, and push our community forward.

We accept applications throughout the year, and accepted applicants get access to the BEA’s network, resources, and other exclusive educational content.

When are applications due?

There are no deadlines to join the BEA Learning Community. We accept applications from eligible participants throughout the year.

How much does it cost to join the BEA Learning Community?

Nothing! All BEA programs are free and non-dilutive (we take no equity).

Who’s eligible to apply?

The program is open to all Black-identifying individuals over the age of 18, located within southern Ontario.

Who are the ideal candidates?

The BEA Learning Community is ideal for early-in-career entrepreneurs and founders looking for resources and knowledge as they navigate Black entrepreneurship.

Do I need a university or college degree to participate?

No, applicants do not need prior university or college credentials.

How much time will I have to commit?

There is no required time commitment to be part of the BEA Learning Community. Members receive access to self-paced videos and an online community.

How many participants will be chosen?

We accept members year-round and have no maximum acceptances.

How can our school join the Early Startup Lab Youth Program?

Schools and teachers can reach out to us through our “Contact Us” page with the subject “Early Startup Lab Co-op Opportunities.” Participating schools will have their students enroll in our immersive 4-month program, where they will gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship. Benefits for students include learning essential business skills, such as idea generation, business planning, financial literacy, and marketing. They will also develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by working on real projects, pitching their ideas, and managing the challenges of launching a startup. This practical experience prepares students to turn their entrepreneurial visions into viable ventures, fostering innovation and leadership within the school community.