A new $160,000 investment from TD Bank Group will help Bow Valley College expand opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs through its Innovation Incubator, which brings together its VentureQuest and Indie Ignition programs under one umbrella to provide entrepreneurship education, mentorship, financial literacy programming and business development coaching.
The donation was celebrated during a luncheon and cheque presentation on Oct. 8, where guests heard directly from participants whose lives and careers have been shaped through the programs.
One of those participants was recent Bow Valley College graduate Sarah De Joya, who entered the 2026 VentureQuest competition with an exciting new business idea while also navigating her studies, a career transition and being a new mother.
Demonstrating resilience and determination amidst multiple competing demands, Sarah earned second place after spending six months refining her concept, building her business skills and network.
Sarah's business, Ohlala, was inspired by a challenge she observed among small business owners: creating a digital presence for their business without a large budget, complicated technology or a team of developers. The platform allows businesses to create their own mini-apps where customers can discover what they offer, place orders, make bookings and stay connected.
Speaking during the luncheon, Sarah reflected on how VentureQuest helped her develop the confidence to take her venture to the next level.
"VentureQuest kickstarted my entrepreneurial journey,” Sarah says. “I always wanted to be a businesswoman, but that is where it ended: wanting. Because of VentureQuest, I actually did become an entrepreneur.”
TD’s investment will expand awareness of the Innovation Incubator programs, increase participation and strengthen financial empowerment programming, making these supports more accessible to aspiring founders across Calgary.
Speaking at the luncheon, Tasneem Rahim, vice-president of external engagement at Bow Valley College, says the collaboration is about more than launching businesses: “It is about creating pathways to financial confidence, economic mobility and long-term success. It is about helping people imagine what's possible and equipping them with the tools to make it a reality.”
VentureQuest is Bow Valley College's social entrepreneurship program, where participants develop business ideas, refine business plans and pitch their ventures to industry judges. Since launching in 2014, VentureQuest has supported more than 80 student entrepreneurs and awarded more than $150,000 in cash and in-kind services.
Indie Ignition is Calgary’s only accelerator program for creative industries, specifically focusing on game development, film and animation, and esports business. In 2025 alone, companies participating in Indie Ignition contributed to the creation of 129 jobs and included 38 founders from underrepresented groups.
Together, VentureQuest and Indie Ignition help participants build future-ready skills while supporting workforce development, emerging industries and a more resilient and diversified economy. The programs also support a diverse range of students, including newcomers, women and Indigenous participants.
For more than a decade, TD has supported Bow Valley College by investing more than $326,000 in initiatives focused on financial literacy, financial empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the luncheon, Sarah Kramer, district vice-president for Calgary Southeast at TD, says the event was an opportunity to celebrate "the collective talent when education, industry and community come together and build on a shared belief in transforming innovative ideas into sustainable ventures."
TD's investment was made as part of Bow Valley College's Open Doors, Open Minds $35M fundraising campaign. The gift is an instrumental part in helping us reach this goal. The campaign reflects a shared commitment to investing in students and building brighter futures for our communities and province.