SURGE
Established in 2015, SURGE is the Centre for Entrepreneurship’s longest‑running program, supporting student and alumni entrepreneurs. Designed to help students and alumni launch and grow real businesses, SURGE offers hands‑on mentorship, structured programming, and deep connections to the Hamilton and surrounding entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What We Offer
Mentorship
SURGE provides mentorship and coaching to student and alumni entrepreneurs
Planning
The SURGE team supports clients throughout the business planning process
Networking
SURGE connects clients to networks within the Hamilton, Toronto, and Niagara area
Resources
SURGE clients gain access to resources that support their business development
What is the SURGE Program?
SURGE is a 7‑week startup incubator program offered every semester to eligible Mohawk College students and alumni. Designed for founders ready to actively build and grow their business, SURGE combines structured learning, mentorship, and access to key startup resources.
Through the SURGE mentorship program, participants receive:
- Personalized one‑on‑one mentorship
- Guided support through business launch and growth challenges
- Access to legal, funding, and business development resources
- Connections to the Hamilton, and surrounding area ecosystems
- Support with funding opportunities and application development
- Access to specialized workshops and training sessions
- Connections to the Centre for Entrepreneurship’s network of founders, mentors, and industry partners
Co-Curricular Record (CCR) Recognition
Students who are selected for the 7-Week Mentorship program are eligible to receive recognition on their Co-Curricular Record (CCR). The Co-Curricular Record recognizes entrepreneurial engagement and professional development outside the classroom. Attend one or more workshops to qualify for Co-Curricular Record (CCR) recognition.
SURGE Build Your Business Bootcamp Series
A six-week entrepreneurial workshop series designed to help Mohawk College students and alumni transform ideas into action. Explore business planning, marketing, customer value, pitching, and connect with local business leaders through guest speaker sessions.
SURGE Alumni Entrepreneurs
MONARCH TEA CO.
Monarch Tea Co. is a Hamilton-based artisan tea company founded by Tea Sommelier Katie Cyr. The company creates premium loose-leaf teas and custom blends, while also offering tea tastings, workshops, corporate experiences and gifting. Katie was the 2019 winner of Mohawk’s Pitch It to Win It competition and has continued to grow Monarch Tea into an established business serving customers and organizations through tea products, experiences and events.
PAN DE ORDI
Pan de Ordi is a Hamilton-based bakery specializing in Filipino-inspired breads, pastries and desserts, with a special focus on ube (purple yam). Their menu includes ube cakes and cupcakes, ube macapuno cake, ube pandesal, ube cheese pandesal, Filipino cheese bread, ensaymada, egg pie and other specialty desserts. Pan de Ordi was the 2023 winner of Mohawk’s Pitch It to Win It competition and has continued to grow its presence in Hamilton, making Filipino flavours and ube-inspired treats more accessible to the local community.
ME-TOUR INC.
Me-Tour Inc. is a Hamilton-based virtual tour company that helps businesses and organizations transform physical spaces into interactive 3D digital experiences. Using innovative virtual-tour technology, Me-Tour works with businesses, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, venues and other organizations to make their spaces more accessible and engaging online. Me-Tour was the 2024 winner of the Centre for Entrepreneurship’s Pitch It to Win It competition and continues to grow its impact in Hamilton and beyond.
PRELUDIUM
Amanda Ottoni (BMusA) is a musician and entrepreneur living in Dundas, Ontario. Her business, Preludium, is an inclusive music school in the Greater Hamilton Area. After receiving first place in Mohawk’s Pitch it to Win it Competition and being supported by the City of Hamilton’s Starter Company Plus grant, Preludium began operating full time. Amanda now conducts lessons in piano, voice, ukulele, music theory and music history in Preludium’s studio, in student’s homes, and virtually.
SOLANGE MEDICAL AESTHETICS
Jenn found her true passion in nursing seven years ago. She fell in love with helping others look and feel their best and approached SURGE to help her grow a cosmetics injection business. With the support of SURGE and her mentors, Jenn launched Solange Medical Aesthetics In June 2021 with 10 full-time staff, 8 contracted professionals, and her own shop located on Upper James. Rooted in a Parisienne flair, they offer a unique European boutique-style experience and specialize in services such as lash extensions, injections, filler, and other cosmetic procedures.
MOBÉLEASE
Abhishek Soni founded Mobélease – a one-stop-shop for all things mobile repair, accessories, and leasing – in 2015. He created a business model that allowed customers to purchase the latest phones at affordable prices through leasing plans. In 2017 Mobélease opened their first location at the Mohawk College Fennell campus offering leasing opportunities and mobile accessories. Shortly after opening, the Mobélease team saw another opportunity in offering mobile repairs and phone plans, through Chatr, expanding their business model to offer more services to their customers. This led to opening their second location Downtown Hamilton. Today Mobélease is thriving, operating out of their Hamilton and, newly renovated, Mohawk College locations.