Smith's Scale-Up Summit 2025 (Toronto)

OPEN TO ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND NEW GRADS! Part1: Masterclasses. Part 2: Strategic (no-code) Hackathon.

About this Event

Scale-Up Summit 2025 (Toronto) is your all-access pass to a day of bold learning and practical execution.

The morning kicks off with back-to-back Masterclasses led by entrepreneurs who’ve built, launched, and scaled real ventures.

Then it’s your turn. In the afternoon, the StratHack: Founder's Edition flips the script, as teams tackle real business challenges and pitch their solutions at the chance to win $1,000.

Expect high energy, and a room full of people who came ready to Scale-Up!

Agenda


🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Opening Reception

Info: Registration and continental breakfast.

🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Opening Remarks by the Smith School of Business

🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
TRACK 1: The Unfiltered Playbook to Raising Venture Capital
Host: Sam Vlessing

Info: Attendees will learn how to navigate the full fundraising journey — from building momentum and pitching VCs to securing a term sheet and closing the deal.


The session covers VC dynamics, pitch deck essentials, data room setup, and deal negotiation, equipping attendees with the tools to fundraise with clarity and confidence.

🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
TRACK 2: Building Scalable Go-to-Market Systems
Host: Ryan Kaufman

Info: This session delivers the fundamentals of go-to-market strategy, giving you a strong foundation to build from. You’ll learn a scalable outreach system using email, LinkedIn DMs, and Twitter DMs — and how to apply it to test, validate, and scale your ideas quickly.

🕑: 11:55 AM - 12:40 PM
Lunch

Info: Lunch will be provided.

🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM
TRACK 1: Turning Ideas Into Paying Customers
Host: Dave and Chris Sinkinson

Info: In this session, attendees will learn: effective bootstrapping strategies, the importance of profit on early stage companies, how to manage first customers for future success.

🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM
TRACK 2: From Queen’s to Y Combinator to Acquisition (Fireside Chat)
Host: Daniel Baum

Info: Join us for a candid fireside chat with Daniel Baum, Co-Founder of Sleek (YC ’21), as he shares what it’s really like to build, scale, and exit a startup — from Queen’s University to Y Combinator to acquisition. Bring your questions and curiosity — it’s a rare chance to learn from someone who’s lived the startup journey.

🕑: 01:50 PM - 03:50 PM
StratHack: Founder's Edition

Info: Choose your team after checkout — or we’ll match you with one!

Work in teams of 3–5 students to tackle a strategic business challenge.

You’ll have 1 hour to craft your solution and 5 minutes to pitch it. Winning team takes home $1,000!

🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:15 PM
Closing Remarks by Smith School of Business

🕑: 04:15 PM - 05:00 PM
Mix & Mingle

Info: Networking over hors d'oeuvres.

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