The Ministry of Education is updating its U-start plan, which encourages innovation and entrepreneurship among students. Two major changes will come to the U-start program this year. Firstly, the number of industry categories that teams can apply under has been expanded. Secondly, the program has partnered with the Council of Indigenous Peoples to encourage applicants to incorporate indigenous elements in their innovation and ideas.
The U-start program was first offered 12 years ago. It has granted subsidies to 961 teams, with over 600 of those teams becoming companies.
U-start offers assistance in the form of subsidies, monetary awards, and professional guidance.