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Partners & Funders

The Chang Institute's programs are provided at no charge to participants. In order to continue this valuable service and program delivery, we are reliant on the forward-thinking, entrepreneurial spirit and generosity of our corporate, foundation, private and government partners.  

If you are interested in making a gift, learn more about supporting the Chang Institute's work through 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚAdvancement.

 

Founding Support

Institute Founders

The Chang Institute was founded through a transformational gift that underwrites our core mission and makes all of our programs possible.

Charles & Eve Chang

Institute Endowment

The Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship was established through a landmark $10M endowment from Charles and Eve Chang. Their founding gift provides a platform for growing the entreprenuerial mindset at 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú— from courses and competitions to startup incubation — and has created lasting impact for thousands of 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ústudents.

Program Support

Program Funders

These partners provide dedicated, multi-year support for specific programs and initiatives across the Institute.

Genome BC

51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚInnovates — Life Sciences Stream

Now in its 10th year of partnership, Genome BC funds the 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚInnovates Life Sciences Stream.

John Dobson Foundation

Student Entrepreneurship Engagement

The John Dobson Foundation provides multi-year funding to support student entrepreneurship engagement activities, deepening student participation and community-building across our programs.

The Chin-Wei Foundation

SEED — Student Engagement Fund

A generous three-year commitment powers the SEED Student Engagement fund, expanding the Institute's ability to engage and support students across all faculties at 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Úand launching a new program, Catalyst Entrepreneurship Challenge.

Frances & Samuel Belzberg Endowment

Technology Entrepreneurship @SFU

Sustained annual support for promoting, supporting and delivering Technology Entrepreneurship@51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Úand its follow-on programming. TechE is a transformational course where teams of interdisciplinary students tackle real-world problems, design innovative solutions, and launch high-impact startups.

51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚPartner

Beedie School of Business

Academic & Institutional Partner

Beedie is a core institutional partner, supporting the integration of entrepreneurship education across SFU's academic programs and providing ongoing operational and strategic collaboration.

Student Opportunities

Student Opportunity Funding

These partners fund programs to give students hands-on entrepreneurial experience — whether through co-op placements and internships, funded capstones, or prototype/seed funding - that make it possible to try entrepreneurship regardless of their financial circumstances.

PEAK Products

eCo-op/eGrad · 10-year partner

A decade-long commitment from 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚAlumnus John Gross (Founder & CEO, Peak Products) to support eCo-op and eGrad, enabling 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ústudents to earn a full-time salary for a semester to work exclusively on building or launching their own business, supported within SFU's early-stage incubator.

Fort Capital

eCo-op

Multi-year funding for eCo-op, enabling 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ústudents working on climate solutions or technology ventures to earn a full-time salary for a semester to work exclusively on building or launching their own business, supported within SFU's early-stage incubator.

Spencer Creo Foundation

eCo-op & Funded Capstones

Supports both funded eCo-op placements and funded capstone projects, helping students access early-stage entrepreneurial experiences regardless of their circumstances.

Shiva Nanda

2026 eCo-op

Private donor committed to expanding student access to funded, entrepreneurial co-op opportunities at SFU.

The Sinclair Foundation

2026 eCo-op

Funding towards entrepreneurial co-op opportunities in honour of the 60th birthday of their friend Nancy MacKay of MacKay CEO Forums

Showcases

Prizes & Event Sponsors

These partners sponsor Idea Prize, Opportunity Fest, and other signature showcases that celebrate and reward entrepreneurial thinking.

Event Funder & Named Award - Idea Prize

Thomas Kineshanko Memorial Entrepreneurial Prize

Established by his family to honour Tom's legacy, this prize supports students who demonstrate creativity, courage, and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking through entrepreneurship. Through its connection to the 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚIdea Prize, the award encourages students at the earliest stages of their entrepreneurial journey to take intellectual risks, pursue bold ideas, and trust their capacity to imagine new solutions.

Event Sponsor - Opportunity Fest 2026

Prospera Credit Union

Prospera's sponsorship brings Opportunity Fest to life — the Chang Institute's annual showcase of entrepreneurial class projects, connecting students with mentors and the broader BC innovation community.

Named Award - Idea Prize

51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚAlumni

51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚAlumni sponsors an annual named prize, "The Patrick Lougheed Alumni Founder", within the Chang Institute's annual Idea Prize competition, reflecting alumni commitment to supporting the next generation of 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ústudent entrepreneurs.