Tag: entrepreneurship

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Trivia For Free

Free Weekly Trivia for Ottawa’s Young Changemakers

Why You Should Care?

Ottawa youth (ages 12–30), did you know that unemployment rates for people our age are the highest they’ve been in years? Finding a job feels tougher than ever—but what if there was a weekly habit that could help you learn, connect, and get noticed by local businesses & schools—entirely for free?

That’s where Trivia 4 Tomorrow comes in.

What Is Trivia 4 Tomorrow?

Trivia 4 Tomorrow is a free for youth, supported by adults, virtual trivia game that runs every Wednesday at 7 PM sharp. It’s designed not just to test your knowledge of history, pop culture, science, and Sports, but to turn each question into an opportunity:

  • Learn new facts about your city and the world

  • Connect with hundreds of peers across Ottawa

  • Climb the leaderboard and earn city-wide recognition

  • Win swag, gift certificates, and shout-outs on our platforms

And that’s just the start.

Register to Play!

How It Works

Register for Free using your student email (or email us if you don’t have one).

  • Click the link and log in Wednesdays at 7 PM for a 30–45 minute trivia showdown.

  • Earn points and climb the individual leaderboard and compete city wide with others.

  • Youth who shine in these free weekly games can earn an invitation to our monthly team games, competing for cash prizes on behalf of local businesses.

  • Submit your youth business, social enterprise, or community idea for a chance to be featured, get a sponsored team, and launch your own fundraiser.

Submit Your Idea / Business

From Weekly Play to Monthly Prizes

Every last Friday of the month, we host a Team T4T game with cash prizes. Youth invited from the weekly games will join these teams and compete for:

$250 (1st), $100 (2nd), $50 (3rd) in monthly cash prizes

  • Community Investment Jackpots for youth-led teams, projects and schools.

  • Swag, gift cards, and local experiences

Why This Matters

Impact Through Innovation

“Investing in youth potential is investing in innovation. Youth Ottawa fosters creativity, entrepreneurship, and leadership, resulting in sustainable solutions to today’s challenges.”

What you learn every Wednesday—what you build, who you connect with—becomes part of your story, your resume, and your network. In a job market craving creative problem-solvers, being a Trivia 4 Tomorrow champion could be your edge.

Ready to Play?

Don’t wait. Join Ottawa’s youth movement, play for free, and let your ideas and talent be seen.

Register To Play!
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The 21 Under 21 Awards is back! – 28 years of Youth Recognition in the making.

Nominations Now Open: 2025 21 Under 21 Youth Awards, Presented by RBC

  • Nominations are now open for Ottawa’s premier youth awards — celebrating 28 years of impact.

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    After a phenomenal debut under its refreshed identity, 21 Under 21, Youth Ottawa is proud to officially launch the 2025 edition of the Youth Awards Gala — presented once again by our title sponsor, RBC.

    Formerly known as the Spirit of the Capital Awards, this marks the 28th year of celebrating outstanding youth in our city. Last year’s inaugural gala under the 21 Under 21 brand raised the bar, spotlighting some of the most compassionate, creative, and change-making young leaders across Ottawa. This year, we’re building on that momentum.

     

    Nominations are now open for the 2025 21 Under 21 Youth Awards. We’re calling on educators, mentors, community leaders, and peers to help us recognize and elevate the next generation of city builders.

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    What to Expect this Year

    Now in its 28th year, Youth Ottawa’s annual youth awards event continues to evolve — and following the incredible success of last year’s rebrand, we are proud to return with the 21 Under 21 Youth Awards Gala, presented by RBC.

    Launched in 2024 as a refreshed version of the long-running Spirit of the Capital Awards, 21 Under 21 was created to better reflect the energy, inclusivity, and transformative potential of youth today. This new format shines a spotlight on 21 exceptional young individuals under the age of 21, who can be nominated by someone inspired by their journey — or step forward to nominate themselves.

    At its core, the 21 Under 21 Youth Awards Gala remains rooted in the spirit of honouring local youth who have made meaningful contributions to their communities — whether locally or globally. These are young people who embody initiative, compassion, courage, and drive. They are catalysts for change and a source of inspiration for others.

    To reflect our commitment to equity and inclusion, we’ve removed rigid award categories to better capture the full range of youth achievement — free from boxes and barriers. Every young person’s path is unique, and our goal is to celebrate that full spectrum of impact, from personal growth to global change.

    In its second year under the 21 Under 21 banner, this gala stands as a powerful symbol of Youth Ottawa’s values — championing youth voice, action, and recognition that transcends labels. We believe every story matters, and that by sharing them, we can spark even more momentum toward a brighter future.

    Mark your calendars!

    Following last year’s unforgettable celebration, this year’s gala promises an even more elevated, engaging, and inspiring experience. Guests will enjoy a lively mocktail hour, a plated dinner designed to foster connection, and an evening filled with powerful moments of recognition.

    We’re enhancing the experience with youth-led performances, interactive photo installations, and multimedia displays that showcase the impactful work and personal stories of our 21 honourees. This is your chance to truly get to know the youth who are shaping our city — and the world.

    Ticket registration is now open. Follow us on social media and stay tuned for your chance to reserve a seat at one of Ottawa’s most meaningful celebrations of youth leadership and community impact.

    Nominations Opening June 9th, 2025!

    We invite nominations from across all fields and backgrounds to recognize the diverse, inspiring, and often unsung contributions of young leaders under the age of 21. Whether they’ve sparked change, uplifted others, or embodied resilience and leadership in their own unique way, we want to hear their story.

    If you are — or know — a young person who has made a meaningful impact, now is the time to shine a spotlight on their efforts.

    Nominations for the 2025 21 Under 21 Youth Awards open on June 9th.
    To apply or learn more, please visit our events page.

    Join us in honouring the voices, vision, and values of the next generation of change-makers.

    To learn more about nominations check out our events page!

    Nominate Now!
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    2025 Youth Leadership Contest

    Youth Leadership Contest

    Mayor OR CEO for a Day


    Step into a Civic Leadership Role for a Day!

    Are you a high school student in Grades 9-12 living in Ottawa? Do you want to experience what it’s like to lead a city, manage a major organization, or oversee public safety? The Leadership for a Day Contest hosted during our annual youth week in May is back with three incredible opportunities for Ottawa’s youth:

    Mayor for a Day – Experience the responsibilities of municipal leadership alongside Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
    CEO for a Day – Shadow a top executive in the non-profit or business sector and learn about leadership and decision-making.

    What is the Youth Week Leadership Contest?

    Organized by the Ottawa Youth Council (OYC) in partnership with the City of Ottawa, and local organizations, the Leadership for a Day Contest provides students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in civic leadership during Youth Week in early May. Winners will shadow key figures, attend scheduled events, and contribute their ideas on shaping Ottawa’s future.

    Applying is easy! All that is required is: 

    *You are a high school student residing in the City of Ottawa 

    *Fill in our application form and explain why you would be a good candidate for one of the roles.

    *You’re excited to discuss ideas for the city of Ottawa with decision-makers.

    Can’t decide which role you’d rather take on? No problem. We welcome multiple applications from the same candidate. 

    Explore Your Leadership Opportunities


    Mayor for a Day

    Winners will have the exclusive chance to:

    • Shadow Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and participate in his daily responsibilities.
    • Attend official city events and key meetings.
    • Tour City Hall and meet municipal leaders, including the City Manager and city council members.
    • Ask the Mayor all the questions you want and discuss ideas for Ottawa’s future
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    Last Year’s Mayor for a Day Experience

    Previous winners, Thea Peters (Merivale High School) and Layan Kanaa Alhalabi (St. Francis Xavier High School), enjoyed an exciting day with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe last year. The day was filled with learning opportunities and exciting events.  The students were able to engage in discussions about city priorities,  meet city officials, tour city hall, and attend official events. 

    “We got to explore Ottawa’s heritage and learn about how the city has come into fruition, and see all the efforts that the Mayor and his team put into our city. It was really interesting because there were a lot of events and surprises throughout the day. It’s a really authentic experience to shadow the mayor’s busy day alongside him. His team gave us an amazing experience. ” — Layan Alhalabi, Mayor for a Day Recipient

    NEW!! CEO for a Day

    Want to learn what it takes to lead a major organization? This opportunity allows students to shadow a CEO for a day and gain insight into leadership, business strategy, and decision-making.

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    Choose from two exciting CEO experiences:

    1. Ottawa Community Housing CEO, Stéphane Giguère:     Learn about affordable housing, urban planning, and how non-profit leadership impacts Ottawa’s communities.

    2. Ottawa BlackJacks President & CEO, Mark Wacyk: Dive into the fast-paced world of sports business and see how Ottawa’s professional basketball team is managed.

    As a CEO for a Day, you will:

    • Experience executive decision-making and strategic planning.
    • Learn about financial management, leadership, and organizational growth.
    • Gain insight into how these organizations shape Ottawa’s development.

    Applications now closed

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    Keeping up with Entrepreneurship: Q&A with Wendley Pierre

    Keeping up with Youth Entrepreneurship

    Q & A With Wendley Pierre

    Remember Wendley? He’s the senior photographer at Hot Shoe Productions, who with a team of talented young business leaders continues to grow a remarkable youth-led social enterprise. 2023 was a busy year for him!  He has taken on new professional experiences, developed creative projects, inspired in classrooms, and celebrated Hot Shoe Productions taking home a Best Ottawa Business Award this past November.

    We recently chatted with Wendley as he took us behind the lens of his experience and offered insights into his life as a young entrepreneur.

    Q1. Could you introduce yourself and describe your role at Hot Shoe Productions?

    My name is Wendley. I am the Lead Photographer at Hot Shoe Productions. I’ve worked with Hot Shoe for about 2 years now. I take photos of clients and events, and I also direct specific client projects, facilitate filmmaking programs in classrooms, and manage Hot Shoe’s social media.

    Q2. How did you discover your passion for photography?

     High school gave me the foundation to develop my passion for photography. I took a grade 11 photography class at Immaculata High School. I started out with an ipad in the classroom, practiced, and relayed photos to the teacher. I eventually developed an understanding of subject placement, an awareness of stopping and looking around and figuring out what is interesting about what I’m seeing, because being a photographer is about so much more than just being behind a camera. I discovered my love for street photography and photographers who inspired me, like Steven Shore, and eventually I defined my own style. 

    Q3. What inspired you to get involved with Hot Shoe Productions and Entrepreneurship in the first place?

    I was working for a fast food restaurant before getting involved with Hot Shoe. The opportunities for me I felt only went to a certain point..I could become the supervisor, manager, but it was a job to me and not my passion. I had been looking for some freelance opportunities in photography for awhile, and I was introduced to Ben Bergeron, the creative director at Hot Shoe through Jesse Card, at a creators hub event Youth Ottawa was hosting.  

    Q4. What are some recent projects you have completed? What are you currently working on?

    I  have focused on video directing with a few of my more recent projects. I directed a promotional debut video for a consulting firm called The Novas Group. It’s a brand development firm led by young creatives here in Ottawa. It was fun to shoot! I think we were successful at capturing them as a business, by bringing in elements of corporate strategy videos while also maintaining a youthful vibe. 

    I debuted as a director with a video project for Unsinkable, an organization that focuses on youth mental health.

     I am really excited about a course curriculum I am developing with a grant from the Social Planning Council of Ottawa. It’s a photography fundamentals mentorship program specific to youth that I will be facilitating with other members of the Hot Shoe team. 

    I am also in the middle of a project working to help connect the larger community to local artists and creatives. I think there is so much talent in Ottawa, great things people are working on, and they need to be shared.

    Q5. Can you describe a memorable moment where you witnessed the positive effects of entrepreneurship through your work at Hot Shoe Productions?

    Entrepreneurship shows how the things you do can have a big impact. I think of the things we’ve done for the community. I feel like the Youth Active Media program with Hot Shoe has a lasting impact on kids and they are going to remember it. I remember in one class, we were doing script writing and a kid was very distracted because he didn’t resonate with it, so I pulled out a camera and taught him ways to use it. I remember he was very excited and so I challenged him to shoot a short film on his phone and have it done the next day. The next day he came back and completed the challenge. I realized that he had used a lot of the techniques he learned  and he remembered all of it. It makes you happy to see growth and success inspired by something you did. 

    Teaching the Youth Active Media Program at Frederick Banting Alternative High School.
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    Wendley pictured with colleague Vanna Noun from Hot Shoe & Mr. Olson from Hillcrest High school

    Q6. What is your favorite thing about working at Hot Shoe Productions?

    The people. Creatives are the best people to be around. Being surrounded by my peers, Vanna, Colin, and Ben who are strong advocates for creating opportunities for youth to get into the industry. My relationships at Hot Shoe have inspired me to mentor other young people. I remember wishing we could open up a photography school and teach kids photography. And now we are doing it. I reflect on it as a full circle moment. 

    Q7. What skills or knowledge have you gained through your experience at Hot Shoe Productions that you believe are valuable as an entrepreneur?

    Everyday at Hot Shoe teaches me about business, I’ve developed many skills, even though I do not have a background in business. I’ve also developed a lot of networking skills and learned how to be more formal in my correspondence with clients, especially through email thanks to Ben.

    Hot Shoe Productions accepting the award for Best Performance in Social Entrepreneurship at the BEST OTTAWA BUSINESS AWARDS

    Q8. If you could offer one piece of advice to young people interested in entrepreneurship, what would it be?

    Be patient with yourself. There are so many learning curves but success comes, and while you’re waiting for it it’s important to reflect on where you came from, and how far you’ve come.

    Q9. What is one of your greatest achievements to date?

    Being able to connect with the people in my city and learning about what they do, why they do it, and why they care so much for it, why is there an attachment, inspiration or purpose? It has been inspiring to see people come together creatively and be able to find their community, and their people. I think the best way people connect is by helping each other, and it’s been great to see that and be a part of it in the creative community.

    Q10. What is one of your biggest lessons learned from your entrepreneurial journey so far?

    Help us support Youth Entrepreneurs.

    Click here to donate
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    Thanks for Playing

    🎉 Thanks for Playing!

    💡 Here’s how you can keep the momentum going:

    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 1. Become a Youth Ottawa Community Champion

    Join as a monthly subscriber and gain access to:

    • Weekly individual trivia games (Wednesdays at 7PM)
    • Monthly team trivia entries
    • Charitable tax receipt
    • Exclusive merch + event discounts
    Sign Up!

    🏢 2. Represent Your Business & Become a Sponsor

    Bring your team back for the next game or sign up a new team to compete!

    • Compete for Community Investment Jackpots

    • Build team morale

    • Support youth-led impact in your city

      • Monthly trivia sponsorships from $250/month

      • Includes ballots, media shoutouts & podcast features

    Sign Up!

    📢 3. Spread the Word

    Help us grow this movement by sharing your experience!

    • Post a photo or reel from the game

    • Use hashtag #Trivia4Tomorrow

    • Tag @Youth_Ottawa

    🙌 Thank you again for playing.

    Together, we’re not just raising money —
    we’re building a better Ottawa.

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    Meet the 2023 Summer Amplified Cohort

    Meet the 2023 Summer Amplified Cohort!

    At Youth Ottawa, we firmly believe in the power of youth to shape the present and the future. Their innovative ideas have the potential to ignite positive change, not only in their own lives but also within their communities. Each year, we provide support to young entrepreneurs, helping them take their businesses to new heights. Through our Summer Amplified Fellowship, we empower these fellows to transform their social innovation frameworks into sustainable social enterprises.

    We’re excited to introduce you to Ben and Sallysha, two inspiring fellows from our 2023 cohort and to shed light on their remarkable projects. Both fellows exemplify the incredible potential of youth in entrepreneurship. With their projects focused on co-designing public spaces and amplifying young changemakers, they demonstrate a commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and making a meaningful impact.

    Ben Wright

    "Welcome: Co-designing Public Spaces"

    Ben’s activation project, called “Welcome,” focuses on co-designing public spaces. His goal is to engage civically-minded youth groups in Ward 13, providing them with facilitation and design tools to create their own spaces. Unlike traditional approaches, Ben’s project empowers community members to design and prototype their ideal spaces. By incorporating human-centered and community-driven design principles, he ensures that the final outcomes truly reflect the community’s desires and effectively meet their needs. The project’s results will be digitally published, allowing others to engage with and apply them in their own communities. Ben is passionate about amplifying the voices of youth in civic conversations, and through the Youth Ottawa Amplified Fellowship, he aims to make a sustainable and lasting social impact.

    Sallysha Vital

    "The People of Tomorrow (TPOT)"

    Sallysha’s project, “The People of Tomorrow (TPOT),” is a creative platform that highlights and encourages the efforts of young changemakers in various fields, including education, social justice, art, science, and innovation. TPOT aims to amplify the voices of young individuals who are making positive impacts in their communities. In this summer fellowship, Sallysha seeks to enhance her leadership skills, inspiring the community through innovative and creative means. She aspires to deepen her understanding of making a significant impact on people and social issues, while also fostering connections with peers, experts, and mentors within Youth Ottawa. By leveraging these abilities, Sallysha envisions a brighter future for TPOT and the communities it serves.

    What's next?

    If you would like to support our Summer Amplified Fellowship and continue seeing the amazing work of youth like Ben and Sallysha, please consider donating today! Your donations go directly towards our operations at Youth Ottawa, including businesses such as these.

    Donate
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    Amplifying Youth Potential in Entrepreneurship

    Amplifying Youth Potential in Entrepreneurship

    At Youth Ottawa, we believe that youth are not only our future but our current reality. Their innovative ideas not only have the power to spark change within their own lives but also have the power to make our communities stronger. 

    Youth often are most observant of the social issues that require solving in our communities. That is why their ideas are revolutionary. 

    That is also why we have been running the Summer Amplified Fellowship since 2019. The program amplifies the entrepreneurial ideas of youth through a three-step process: business development training, mentorship, and networking. 

    Every year, we support young entrepreneurs to boost their businesses to the next level. By hiring them to work for themselves throughout the summer, fellows can transform their social innovation frameworks into long-term and sustainable social enterprises.

    After a brief pause in the fellowship due to the pandemic, we welcomed Drayton and Nathan as our summer amplified fellows in 2022. Now is a great chance to meet them and see what they’ve been up to since!

    The 2022 Summer Amplified Fellowship cohort

    Image of Drayton Mulindabigwi Jabo

    Drayton Mulindabigwi Jabo

    20today20tomorrow

    Drayton’s business, 20today20tomorrow, envisions a vibrant community of youth who are active in their communities. By bringing together a group of young innovators, 20today20tomorrow works to identify and address social issues with creative solutions. For example, their Inspire the Next initiative provides youth with a platform to share their experiences and ideas through a podcast and a live show format. Today, the organization is working on continuing its Inspire the Next shows. Who knows what will come tomorrow?

    Image of Nathan Monpremier

    Nathan Monpremier

    HopeisFamous

    HopeIsFamous is a clothing brand that empowers young athletes. Using high-quality materials and a durable design, HopeIsFamous ensures athletes feel and perform at their best. Nathan and his team have recently expanded their clothing line into the world of customizable sportswear for local sports teams and other organizations and have continued their work in community outreach to promote healthy lifestyles.

    What's next?

    Interested in becoming a summer amplified fellow? Applications will open on June 5 at 9 a.m. and will close on June 16 at noon. 

    Apply