Business Playbook
Start your own traditional business.
What is Business Playbook?
Business Playbook is an 8-week co-curricular program for ¶¶ŇőAPPµĽş˝ undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, staff, faculty, and alumni who want to launch a traditional business.
Whether you’re starting a service-based company, launching a consultancy, or opening a brick-and-mortar shop, this program gives you the tools, mentorship, and confidence to bring your business idea to life.
Through hands-on workshops, expert mentorship, and weekly deliverables, participants learn the practical skills needed to build and launch a business. By the end of the program you’ll have the confidence to launch your business or apply for funding with a fully developed, agile business plan.
Summit an application
Applications for the Winter 2026 semester are open until January 18, 2026.
Please note that participants who get accepted into the program will be required to attend in-person workshops on Thursdays from 2:15-4:00pm.
Who can apply?
¶¶ŇőAPPµĽş˝ undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, staff, and alumni with a traditional business idea—such as a brick-and-mortar shop, service-based company, or consultancy—looking to build, refine, and launch their business are invited to apply. This program is for those committed to taking real steps in between sessions and want to actively work their business idea.
My favourite part of Business Playbook was learning from everyone’s different perspectives. I didn’t come in with a strong marketing or business background, so having peers with that experience share tips and insights made a huge difference.
Hana Saleh, Fall 2025 Business Playbook Participant
Graduate Student, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Program timeline
Business Playbook is an 8-week commitment that can be taken alongside your regular courses. Weekly workshops will be held in-person on Thursdays from 2:15-4:00pm at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. In your spare time between sessions, you are expected to execute on the action items discussed.
Dec. 8, 2025
Applications open
Jan. 18, 2026
Applications close
Jan. 20, 2026
Program interviews start
Jan. 23, 2026
Program interviews conclude
Jan. 29, 2026
Program begins
April 9, 2026
Program final event
Learn more about Business Playbook
Why applying is your next best move
- Learn how to start, structure, and grow a traditional business.
- Gain access to expert mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and business owners.
- Learn core business skills like marketing, financials, operations, and more.
- Join a small, supportive cohort of peers to stay motivated and accountable.
- Develop an agile business plan tailored to your goals.
- Access tools, templates, and resources to save time and avoid common pitfalls.
- Build confidence and clarity around launching your business and applying for funding.
Start something with Business Playbook
Every business begins with an idea, but turning that idea into something real takes clarity, confidence, and support. Business Playbook helps you build a solid foundation, guiding you through each step of the process so you can launch your business with purpose. Whether you’re ready to make your first sale or still shaping your concept, this is your space to take action and move forward.
From idea to action: foundational skills you'll learn
The Business Playbook program is designed to lay the foundation for a successful traditional business. Over 8 weeks, you’ll participate in weekly workshops designed to teach essential skills for starting a successful traditional business. Between sessions, you’ll actively implement what you’ve learned and refine your business idea in real time.
Business Fundamentals
Lay the foundation with ownership types, products vs. services, communication skills, and core business concepts.
Customer Discovery
Learn how to identify problems and understand who your ideal customer is.
Market Research
Analyze competitors, market size, and industry dynamics to validate your idea.
Sales & Marketing
Explore marketing channels and activities that drive customer acquisition and retention.
Financial Planning
Learn how to forecast revenue, manage cash flow, and calculate startup costs.
Customer Experience
Design your brand, space, and service experience to keep customers coming back.
Operations & Logistics
Understand what it takes to deliver your product or service efficiently, while generating a profit.
Communication Skills
Effectively share your vision, connect with your audience, and learn to lead with confidence.
What qualifies as a traditional business?
Business Playbook is designed for those that are building businesses that offer products or services in a traditional structure. Traditional business ideas could include:
• Brick-and-mortar businesses like cafés, studios, boutiques, or retail stores.
• Service-based businesses such as consulting, coaching, design, personal training, or cleaning.
• Product-based businesses including handmade goods, small-batch products, or physical items sold online or in person.
Whether you’re selling a product, offering a skill, or delivering a service, Business Playbook will help you build a solid foundation and turn your idea into a sustainable venture.
What if I have a tech-focused venture idea?
If your business idea involves developing a technology-based product or service, Launchpad might be a better fit. This program is built for early-stage tech ventures looking to develop solutions, build teams, and pitch for funding.
My favourite part of the program was the accountability. Having dedicated time to focus on my business was incredibly helpful for my growth.
Holden Beaupit, Fall 2025 Business Playbook Participant
Undergraduate Student, Haskayne School of Business
Fall 2025 Cohort Award Recipients
Business Playbook brings together students, alumni, postdocs, and staff from across ¶¶ŇőAPPµĽş˝ to build businesses across various industries.
The Fall 2025 cohort reflects the diversity of ideas, disciplines, and experiences that shape the program.
Sabah Uh din Ahmad, Graduate Student, Faculty of Science
QAISSA is a quantum and AI consulting company that helps mid-sized businesses solve complex operational challenges using AI-driven automation and quantum optimization.
Maleeha Naveed and Hana Saleh, Graduate Students, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Amalna, meaning “our hope,” creates natural, low-waste, halal soaps handcrafted for conscious consumers. A portion of the product line supports community fundraising initiatives and wellness programs
Amin Saba and Muhammad Jahanzaib Iqbal, Graduate Students, Schulich School of Engineering
Munch blends technology and creativity through 3D-printed, personalized chocolate, bringing together engineering, design, and taste.
Holden Beaupit, Undergraduate Student, Haskayne School of Business
EMPWRD helps online creators in the wealth-creation space convert influence into predictable revenue using data-driven sales systems.
Casey Blais and Aaron Marr, ¶¶ŇőAPPµĽş˝ Staff, Faculty of Law
Golden Saunas is a Columbia Valley–based business specializing in custom-built saunas for homes, guesthouses, and tourism businesses.
Drew Williams, Alumnus, Haskayne School of Business
Prairie Signal helps organizations navigate the AI frontier by translating advanced AI models into practical tools that reduce busywork and unlock new revenue.
Narges Atrak, Postdoctoral Scholar, Schulich School of Engineering
NH3ance converts air, water, and renewable electricity into ammonia using a solid-state electrolyzer, enabling distributed, low-carbon fuel and fertilizer production.
My favourite part of the program was the hands-on experience. It gave us a launchpad to refine our business model and sharpen our brand story.
Muhammad Jahanzaib Iqbal, Fall 2025 Business Playbook Participant
Graduate Student, Schulich School of Engineering
Get in touch
Have more questions or not sure if you should apply?
Email us directly at businessplaybook@ucalgary.ca and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
FAQ
To apply, please fill out the .
You can apply for the Winter 2026 cohort until January 18, 2026.
¶¶ŇőAPPµĽş˝ undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni with a traditional business idea—such as a brick-and-mortar shop, service-based company, or consultancy—looking to build, refine, and launch their business. This program is for those committed to taking real steps in between sessions and want to actively work their business idea.
Winter 2026 Timeline
- December 8, 2025: Applications open
- January 18, 2026: Applications close
- January 20-23, 2026: Program interviews
- January 29, 2026: Program begins
- April 9, 2026: Program final event
This program is an 8-week commitment that can be taken alongside your regular courses. Weekly workshops will be held in-person on Thursdays from 2:15-4:00pm at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. In your spare time between sessions, you are expected to execute on the action items discussed.
- Gain access to expert mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and business owners.
- Enjoy a hands-on learning experience to develop practical skills.
- Build community support with like-minded peers, mentors, and the Hunter Hub team.
- Gain confidence, launch your business, and apply for funding with an agile business plan.
This program is designed for both teams and individuals. You can apply on your own or with a team, but we recommend having no more than 4 people per team. We will not be hosting a team formation session for this program so you will need to form your own team if you are choosing that route.
You won't have access to the Hunter Hub space in between sessions, unless you apply for an Innovation Sandbox membership. Learn more here.
If your business idea is more tech focused then you might want to consider applying to Launchpad instead. Business Playbook is designed for traditional businesses.
Launchpad is ¶¶ŇőAPPµĽş˝â€™s flagship entrepreneurship program for undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs, staff, faculty, and alumni. This six-month co-curricular experience is designed for those that want to build a tech venture or gain entrepreneurial skills by joining a team.