2023 HELIX Summer Institute

In our rapidly changing economy, critical thinking and problem-solving enable businesses to pivot and respond to emerging market demands. 

The seventh annual HELIX Summer Institute is a free, six-day, intensive, virtual “design jam” that will provide you with design thinking tools for collaborating and building solutions to pressing social and business challenges. This initiative welcomes participation from students, entrepreneurs, designers, creative thinkers and members of the community.

Lead facilitators and mentors will encourage you to think creatively, try new solutions and pivot based on feedback from stakeholders. You will develop design thinking skills that are critical for you to become a successful entrepreneur or intrapreneur.

 

HELIX Summer Institute 2017

Virtual 2023 HELIX Summer Institute

Developed in collaboration with HELIX’s expert facilitators, mentors and partners, this interactive, six-day program will expose you to valuable innovation experiences and help you develop key career skills.

You will engage in interactive workshops and work together in cross-disciplinary teams to develop a solution to a real problem faced by York Region related to food security. The design thinking process you develop can also be used to drive creative solutions to social and business problems you may face throughout your career.

Join us for the seventh annual HELIX Summer Institute

The HELIX Summer Institute runs daily Monday, Aug. 21 to Friday, Aug. 25 and Monday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

There are 30 spots available and the application deadline is Saturday, Aug. 5.

To apply, please email chris.dudley@senecapolytechnic.ca an expression of interest, of up to 400 words, outlining why you want to participate.

Individuals applying to participate must be available to attend all six days of the Summer Institute. Expressions of interest will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis until all spots available are filled.

Facts

210

participants

80

mentors and facilitators

45

stakeholders

95%

Previous participants would recommend according to feedback surveys.

Source: Seneca


HELIX Summer Institute 2017

Testimonials

“The HELIX Summer Institute instilled entrepreneurial mindsets to Seneca community members through solution design methods and enterprise building journey coaching. As a student participant, I was able to apply knowledge obtained from class practically and accelerate personal goals due to this experience.”
— Justin Chu
HELIX Summer Institute participant

“The HELIX Summer Institute was an amazing learning opportunity that allowed teams to design a product or service to meet a real-world health challenge. Having access to mentors and like-minded peers let me propose, build a prototype and pitch my solution.”
— Sheri Burke
HELIX Summer Institute participant

“HELIX Summer Institute participants tackled a COVID related health-care problem, worked diligently, consulted freely and delivered excellent final solutions paralleling emerging industry solutions.”
— Pat Clifford
Retired director, research and innovation of CreateIT Now / Southlake Innovation Centre

"The skill development and growth was clearly happening each day — it was great to watch!”
— Lucas Chang
HELIX Summer Institute Lead Facilitator

Partners

York Region
TD Ready Commitment
Venture Lab
Humber Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship
Univali
George Brown
Durham College Fast Start