Our Story
Addressing the youth economic challenges through digital entrepreneurship, mentorship, and community empowerment.
Why We Started
In 2020, we witnessed Canada's youth facing an increasingly complex economic landscape. According to Statistics Canada, the national youth unemployment rate reached 14.1%—with only 54.1% of youth aged 15-24 employed, representing a concerning trend in youth employment.
In Calgary specifically, we observed young people increasingly turning to alternative employment paths as traditional opportunities narrowed. Research by the Calgary Economic Developmentshowed that many young Calgarians were interested in entrepreneurship but lacked the necessary resources, mentorship, and capital to launch sustainable ventures.
The Calgary Youth Entrepreneurship Program was founded as a direct response to these challenges—creating a comprehensive ecosystem that aims to transform economic barriers into opportunities for innovation, growth, and community development.
The Gaps We Address
Our program tackles three critical gaps in the youth entrepreneurship ecosystem:
Education-to-Labor Misalignment
Traditional employment programs often focus on resume-building and conventional sectors. The Conference Board of Canadareports that youth increasingly need entrepreneurial skills for the digital economy. Our curriculum aims to bridge this gap with practical, market-relevant training.
Mental Health Support
The Canadian Mental Health Associationreports a significant increase in anxiety disorders among Canadian youth correlating with economic instability. Our program plans to integrate wellness resources and peer support networks, particularly for Indigenous and racialized youth who face compounded barriers.
Our Approach
We're building a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses the unique challenges facing young entrepreneurs through four interconnected pillars:
- Education & Skill Development:
Practical workshops, bootcamps, and resources tailored specifically for young entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey.
- Personalized Mentorship:
Connecting young entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who provide guidance, feedback, and industry-specific insights.
- Funding Access:
Seed funding opportunities, investor connections, and guidance on accessing grants and alternative funding sources.
- Community & Collaboration:
Creating spaces—both physical and virtual—where young entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and support each other.
Our Projected Impact
Young entrepreneurs to support
New businesses to launch
In seed funding to distribute
Active mentors to engage
Beyond these projected numbers, our greatest anticipated impact will be in nurturing a diverse community of entrepreneurs who will create jobs, address social challenges, and contribute to Calgary's economic diversification.
Our Values
Inclusivity
We believe entrepreneurship should be accessible to all young people, regardless of background, education, or socioeconomic status.
Innovation
We encourage creative thinking and novel approaches to solving problems and creating value in our community.
Community
We believe in the power of collaboration and mutual support to amplify individual potential and create lasting change.
Our Founder's Story: Wilton Otto
The Calgary Youth Entrepreneurship Program was born from the vision and courage of Wilton Otto, who recognized the need for a comprehensive support system for young entrepreneurs in Calgary.
Wilton took the bold step of launching WilGlobo Social Enterprise, a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through a variety of services and resources. The Youth Entrepreneurship Program represents a cornerstone initiative within WilGlobo's broader mission to foster economic opportunity and community development.
Through this program, Wilton aims to create the support infrastructure that he believes is essential for young entrepreneurs to thrive in today's challenging economic landscape—combining practical education, mentorship, funding access, and community building into a cohesive ecosystem.
"Never Stop Dreaming, Refocus and Refresh your dreams everyday"
Our Collaborative Approach
We believe that addressing youth economic challenges requires a coordinated effort across sectors. Our program aims to work with:
Government Partners
We plan to collaborate with municipal and provincial agencies to align our efforts with broader economic development strategies and access resources that complement existing youth employment initiatives.
Industry Leaders
Calgary's established businesses will provide mentorship, market insights, and potential client relationships for our young entrepreneurs, creating pathways to sustainable growth.
Join Our Community
Whether you're a young entrepreneur with a business idea, an experienced professional interested in mentoring, or an organization looking to partner with us, we'd love to connect.