TD Bank Group helps student entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life

Published on September 17, 2025

Sponsored by TD Bank Group, the Entrepreneurship Blue Book Program helps turn students’ innovative ideas into tangible and actionable business ventures. 

"Over the last four years, the Blue Book Program has served as an essential incubator for the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs in our province and we're so proud to continue our support with this $400,000 donation," said Robert Ghazal, senior vice president and Alberta Region Head, TD Bank Group.  

"Through the TD Ready Commitment, our corporate citizenship platform, we're investing in new skills training, entrepreneurship and small business initiatives to help individuals and communities prepare for the jobs and careers of the future." 

Housed within the Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship, the program begins with an idea and takes students through the start-up process with mapped outcomes and weekly milestones to help them launch a business. They work alongside a cohort of peers with guidance and mentorship from experts. Students participate in a Business Showcase at the end of the academic year where they present their business ideas and connect with the start-up community for further support.

Since its launch, 211 students have completed the Blue Book program, and demand keeps increasing. Enrolment has surged from 18 students in 2022 to 111 this year, a 517% increase.   

“Thank you, TD, for your continued support of the creative minds at NAIT,” says Dennis Sheppard, dean, JR Shaw School of Business. “By sponsoring the Entrepreneurship Blue Book program, you are empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and encouraging innovative thinking. Your support equips students with the skills, experiences, connections, and confidence to not only bring their current passions to life but also ignites their entrepreneurial spirit for many years to come.” 

 

Discovering a winning entrepreneurial formula 

Dominic explaining his business ventureBefore entering the Blue Book program, Dominic Camba (Management ‘25) was already familiar with tech and startups. He was part of a founder’s circle where there was an abundance of enthusiasm and peer support but less formal entrepreneurial education. 

“I've been part of a lot of startups in the past and I knew I had a knowledge gap because none of them succeeded,” say Dominic.  

Thanks to the Blue Book program, Dominic is refining his idea for a unified portal app he’s conceived for a variety of student services. He received feedback at NAIT’s Business Innovation Showcase, which he hopes to use to fully validate the idea and develop the prototype.

Dominic is committed to entrepreneurship as a lifelong journey. “Participating in the Entrepreneurship program has been like receiving the keys to the kingdom. I have so many ideas that I can now work on using the same methods that I learned. It gave me all the missing pieces I need to become successful.”

Helping new parents save time  

Ying Chien with business venture displayHuman Resource Management student Ying Chien Lee enrolled in the Blue Book program after facilitator Dale visited a couple of her classes to recruit participants. She realized that she could explore a business idea close to her heart while only having to spend one or two hours a week on additional assignments.

A mother to a toddler, Ying Chien had the idea to develop a one-stop platform to help new parents save money and time while buying “baby stuff.”  

“Parents have limited time and are typically overwhelmed with information,” says Ying Chien. “My idea is an app that will help these parents have an easier way to manage their baby essential inventory and purchase things at a cheaper price.” 

For Ying Chien, participating in the program improved her confidence, exposing her to a variety of cultures and perspectives and helped her adjust to life in Edmonton after moving from Taiwan.

Developing skincare based in nature and tradition

Ishita with product sampleIshita Sharma (Finance '25), joined the Blue Book Program to explore her idea of launching a skincare line made from all-natural ingredients including ghee.

Her vision was to create and sell products so pure “you could literally eat them.” But turning that vision into a business required more than passion. “The Blue Book program gave me a roadmap. It made everything manageable,” she says. 

Since winning prizes at the Mawji Centre’s Pitch it to Me Student Competition and the NAIT Business Innovation Showcase, Ishita’s business, Ghii, is now moving into full production. She credits much of her success and growing confidence to the relationships formed through the program and the support of donors.