Embark Student Foundation invests $500,000 to launch paid career accelerator with DMZ
The new Embark Business Academy provides free, paid access to job ready business and AI skills for students and new graduates across Canada.
TORONTO, March 3, 2026 — Embark Student Foundation has invested $500,000 to support the launch of the Embark Business Academy (Em-BA), a new paid career accelerator delivered in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ. The program is designed to help students and recent graduates bridge the gap between post secondary education and meaningful employment.
As youth unemployment continues to remain higher than the national average — and entry level roles increasingly demand applied experience and AI fluency — Em-BA addresses growing concerns around workforce readiness for young Canadians.
Funded through the Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program, Em-BA is a free, 14 week, part time virtual program running from May to August 2026. It is open to post secondary students and recent graduates under the age of 29 from across Canada. The program combines structured business training, hands on project work and financial support, including a paid honourarium for participants who successfully complete the full program.
“Young people are doing everything we ask of them — going to school, adapting to new technologies — yet too many are still struggling to break into the workforce,” said Andrew Lo, President and CEO of Embark. “The Embark Business Academy was created to remove financial and experiential barriers, and to give students practical, real world skills that employers are actively looking for.”
The program is delivered by DMZ, one of the world’s leading startup incubators, and leverages its network of industry practitioners and Experts in Residence. During the first half of the program, participants engage in live virtual workshops focused on:
- Core business fundamentals
- Organizational decision making
- High demand career paths such as sales, marketing and operations
- Applied AI tools for productivity, research and analysis
- Professional communication and pitching skills
Participants who complete this phase earn a certificate of completion and become eligible to advance into the experiential portion of the program.
In the second half, select participants work in teams to solve real business challenges faced by growing companies. Each participant who successfully completes the full program receives a $3,000 honourarium, while top performing teams compete for a shared $20,000 prize pool.
“There’s a growing gap between graduation and employability, and young Canadians are falling into it,” said Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures. “Embark’s investment allows us to deliver hands on experience, AI fluency and business exposure at a scale that can truly move the needle for students.”
Em-BA places an intentional focus on underrepresented students and those outside of STEM, who have historically had fewer opportunities to access paid, work integrated learning experiences. By removing cost barriers and providing direct financial support, the program aims to make career building opportunities more equitable and accessible.
“This program reflects what we look for in Major Grant initiatives — innovation, equity and real impact,” added Lo. “By partnering with DMZ, we’re helping students graduate with confidence, clarity and the ability to contribute meaningfully in an evolving economy.”
Applications for the Embark Business Academy are now open to eligible students and recent graduates across Canada. The program begins in May 2026, with applications closing on April 26, 2026.
More information and application details are available at dmz.to/Em-BA.
About DMZ
DMZ is a tech incubator and startup ecosystem that fuels entrepreneurship in Canada and beyond. Through its award-winning programs, DMZ empowers founders to scale high-impact ventures, helps students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and equips professionals to thrive in today’s fast-moving economy. By offering tailored support, world-class resources and expansive networks, DMZ nurtures bold ideas, drives business growth and creates global economic impact.
To date, DMZ has supported 2630+ startups in raising $3.08 billion in capital and has created over 25,400 jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, DMZ operates a global network of hubs spanning 15+ countries, enabling entrepreneurs to access diverse markets, collaborate internationally and drive global innovation.
About The Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program
The Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program provides funding for innovative programs, initiatives or services that support student success before, during and beyond their post-secondary years. Through this grant program, Embark wishes to partner with post-secondary educational institutions in their efforts to advance access, agency and innovation that will empower students to take hold of their future.
Embark Student Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation and owner of Embark Student Corp., Canada’s resource for education savings and planning.
About Embark Student Corp.
Our mission is to make education savings accessible to every parent in Canada. By making saving easier, we’re not just funding education, we’re fueling a better future.
As Canada’s resource for education savings and planning, we work tirelessly on behalf of students and their families. Owned by Embark Student Foundation, a not-for-profit Canadian company, we believe in measuring our success by the success of students before, during and after post-secondary education. To us, students are more than just a beneficiary; they are individuals with unique needs, hopes and dreams. We’re here to empower them and help unlock their potential. Visit embark.ca for more information.
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