The Foundry / La Fonderie

Laurentian University is pleased to welcome Don Duval as Entrepreneur in Residence.

With more than two decades of leadership across Canada’s innovation ecosystem, Don will mentor students, researchers, alumni, and early-stage founders while supporting venture development and commercialization initiatives across the university.

Working with Laurentian’s Office of Research and Innovation Services and The Foundry, he will help strengthen entrepreneurship programming and support new opportunities for innovation, particularly in mining and resource sectors.

🔗 Read the full announcement: https://laurentian.ca/about/news/laurentian-university-welcomes-don-duval-entrepreneur-residence
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L’Université Laurentienne est heureuse d’accueillir Don Duval à titre d’entrepreneur en résidence.

Fort de plus de deux décennies d’expérience au sein de l’écosystème canadien de l’innovation, Don offrira du mentorat aux étudiantes et étudiants, aux chercheuses et chercheurs, aux diplômées et diplômés ainsi qu’aux fondateurs et fondatrices de jeunes entreprises. Il contribuera également au développement de projets entrepreneuriaux et aux initiatives de commercialisation à l’Université.

En collaboration avec le Bureau des services de recherche et d’innovation de Laurentienne et The Foundry, il contribuera à renforcer les programmes d’entrepreneuriat et à soutenir de nouvelles possibilités d’innovation, notamment dans les secteurs des mines et des ressources.

🔗 Lire l’annonce complète : https://laurentienne.ca/a-propos/nouvelles/luniversite-laurentienne-accueille-m-don-duval-titre-dentrepreneur-en-residence

The Foundry / La Fonderie

Is it still possible to make it in an AI-powered era? In this lecture series, brought to you by Laurentian University’s Business Analytics course in partnership with the Foundry, guest speakers from top tech companies such as Google and Microsoft will share their perspectives and best advice to students who still dream of making it.

Join us for session 1 of our AI Challenges and Perspectives Lecture Series, Thursday, November 13, at 1:00 PM! The first speaker is Stanley Celestin from Google. This event is Hybrid. Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1924474257309?aff=oddtdtcreator

****Est-il encore possible de réussir à l’ère de l’IA ? Dans cette série de conférences, présentée dans le cadre du cours « Business Analytics » de l’Université Laurentienne en partenariat avec la Fonderie (the Foundry), des conférenciers invités d’entreprises technologiques de premier plan telles que Google et Microsoft partageront leurs perspectives et des conseils aux étudiants es qui rêvent encore de réussir.

Rejoignez-nous pour la première session de notre série de conférences « IA : Défis et perspectives », le jeudi 13 novembre à 13h00 ! Le premier conférencier est Stanley Celestin de Google. Cet événement est hybride. Inscrivez-vous ici : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1924474257309?aff=oddtdtcreator

Celebrate Small Business Week at the Student Pop Up Market!!

Shop and connect with student and alumni entrepreneurs as they showcase their businesses and share the stories behind them!

Date: Wednesday, October 22nd
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Location: Parker Building Atrium, Laurentian University - Université Laurentienne

VENDORS: Are you a student or alumni with a business? Whether you sell a service or a product, you’re invited to register as a vendor! Register now through the link in our bio.

SPECIAL GUESTS:
- Futurpreneur will be sharing information about funding, mentorships and resources for entrepreneurs between 18 and 39 years old.
- Melissa from the Incubator Program (run by the Regional Business Centre) will be sharing information about the program and the upcoming cohort.

This event is run in collaboration between the Regional Business Centre and The Foundry / La Fonderie at Laurentian University. Find out more about them by visiting their booths or visiting their websites!

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Célébrez la Semaine de la petite entreprise au Marché éphémère des entreprises étudiantes!

Venez magasiner et discuter avec les étudiants et anciens qui présentent leurs entreprises et racontent leurs histoires!

Date : mercredi 22 octobre
Heure : de 10 h à 14 h
Lieu : atrium de l’édifice Parker, Université Laurentienne

VENDEURS : Êtes-vous un étudiant ou une étudiante qui exploite une entreprise? Ou une ancienne, un ancien? Que vous vendiez un service ou un produit, nous vous invitons à vous inscrire comme vendeur! Utilisez le lien dans notre bio pour vous inscrire aujourd’hui.

INVITÉS SPÉCIAUX :
- Futurpreneur présentera des informations sur le financement, le mentorat et les ressources pour des entrepreneurs de 18 à 39 ans.
- Melissa, du programme d’incubateur d’entreprises du Centre régional des affaires, présentera des informations sur ce programme et sa prochaine cohorte.

Cet événement est une collaboration du Centre régional des affaires et de La Fonderie de l’Université Laurentienne. Renseignez-vous à leur sujet en visitant leurs stands ou leurs sites Web!

Christabell is the founder of Transformative Strength, an online health and wellness business dedicated to helping people feel strong, confident, and capable inside and out. A Law and Justice student minoring in Criminology, she’s also a certified fitness and wellness coach whose journey began with personal growth and evolved into a passion for helping others. Her approach to fitness is grounded in realism and compassion—offering simple, sustainable workout plans, high-protein meal ideas, and mindset support, with a focus on building long-term habits rather than chasing perfection. Rooted in faith and community, Christabell aims to support the whole person, not just their fitness goals.

“I love creating high-protein sweet snacks and treats because I like knowing exactly what goes into what I eat. I also enjoy nature (as long as the bugs stay away!), watching thrillers and comedies, relaxing with a good book, and making YouTube videos. Faith is a big part of who I am, and I try to bring honesty, encouragement, and real-life balance into everything I do, whether it’s coaching, content, or conversations.”

Her entrepreneurial path was shaped by her own transformation, community interest, and a desire to challenge the unrealistic standards often found online. As a woman of color and newcomer to Canada, Christabell is intentional about making fitness more inclusive, honest, and accessible.

Find her on Instagram

This spotlight highlights one of the many young entrepreneurs supported through the Regional Business Centre’s Summer Company program—celebrating the passion, creativity, and drive behind student-led businesses in Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas.

We’re also incredibly thankful to The Foundry / La Fonderie at University - Université Laurentienne for sponsoring her grant, helping make this year’s record-breaking cohort possible. Your support is an investment in local youth, innovation, and the future of entrepreneurship in our community.

💡 Calling all LU students!

The Venture North PITCH Competition is happening Thursday, October 2nd at Collège Boréal 🎤✨. Hosted by NORCAT and the Northern Ontario Angels, this event is your chance to see Northern Ontario’s brightest entrepreneurs pitch their big ideas and connect with the region’s innovation community.

🌟 Laurentian students also get access to a special 50% discount code to attend!

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to get inspired, network, and experience entrepreneurship in action.

Workshop alert!

Students got hands-on with slicing software, prepared their own prints, and walked away with new skills and something they made themselves.

Big thanks to the Pepinelli Lab for linking 3D printing with real-world bee eDNA research 🐝. Thank you to everyone who came through the Makerspace, we’re excited to see you back for future workshops throughout the year!

Les élèves ont pu utiliser un logiciel de découpage, préparer leurs propres impressions et repartir avec de nouvelles compétences et un objet qu’ils ont fabriqué eux-mêmes.
Un grand merci au laboratoire Pepinelli pour avoir associé l’impression 3D à la recherche concrète sur l’ADN environnemental des abeilles 🐝. Merci à tous ceux qui sont passés par le Makerspace ! Au plaisir de vous revoir pour les prochains ateliers tout au long de l’année !

Visit us at international student services fair in the Parker Atrium today, 12-4pm. Learn about our upcoming programming including skills development workshops for international students, 3D printing sessions, and more! Thanks to .kunjsharma for capturing our photo! One of many Laurentian student entrepreneurs!

We are incredibly proud of Atkins Innovation Fellow Steven Beites and his leadership at the Institute for Northern Housing Innovation at Laurentian’s McEwen School of Architecture.

Today our partners — FedNor, the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, and Desjardins —announced $750,000 in funding to expand the Institute’s work and research. This support will help drive forward sustainable, affordable, and inclusive housing solutions tailored to Northern Ontario’s unique climate and communities.

Steven’s vision will position Northern Ontario as a leader in housing innovation.

Summer Company 2025 has officially launched! Congratulations to 16 young entrepreneurs — including 2 supported by Laurentian University’s Foundry. A big thank you to for an incredible program.
L’entreprise d’été 2025 est officiellement lancée ! Félicitations à 16 jeunes entrepreneurs - dont 2 soutenus par la Fonderie de l’Université Laurentienne. Un grand merci au pour un programme incroyable.