“With the support of the organizers, participants, and mentors I was able to put together a program proposal that I can now use to approach government agencies and corporations for partnerships and the grant funding from Press Start was an immense blessing to be able to turn my chronic illness resource ideas into reality!” Karima Leslie

“For me, the Press Start CoLab Program’s most valuable aspect is the collaborative environment it cultivates. Being part of a cohort with a shared mission has provided support, inspiration and networking opportunities. This community-driven atmosphere allowed me to explore my ideas in a safe space while challenging me to improve on the project.” - Alexander Lam (Reset)

“With this funding being specifically for socially innovative ideas, it created the space to allow me to get creative with my approach to mental health education and also allowed me to be able to distribute my resources for free around the world.” - Jessie Brar

"Not only will participants receive a $500.00 honorarium for their participation and a new network of peers and mentors that lasts beyond the program, but they will also have access to a pool of over $50,000.00 in Grants, Awards, and In-Kind Partnerships to put their ideas into action."

“I found invaluable opportunities for networking and mentorship through the program and the tools given to us have been phenomenal, from business plan examples to tips with grant applications,” says Tino Dogo, Bachelor of Science student at University of Manitoba and CoLab 2022 participant.

"Seeing what this year's CoLab participants have created together makes me optimistic about the future," said nowly Insurance chief marketing & social innovation officer Martha Turner Osborne.

"I found invaluable opportunities for networking and mentorship through the program and the tools given to us have been phenomenal, from business plan examples to tips with grant applications," says Tino Dogo, Bachelor of Science student at University of Manitoba and CoLab 2022 participant. "Thanks to the collaborative nature of the program, I had the opportunity to think outside my typical box and see things from different perspectives. This allowed me to come back to my business plan with a totally fresh perspective."

“Our goal is that CoLab, and Press Start as a whole, will make substantial progress in empowering the next-generation of leaders to find and implement actionable, scalable solutions,” said Osborne. “By connecting like-minded innovators and cultivating purpose-driven communities, we can collaborate towards a healthier, more equitable future for all Canadians.”

"Our aspiration is to arrive at a co-created, collaborative solution with empowered youth activists to help make this world a better place, one pressing social challenge at a time."