Introducing to SVP Vancouver: PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs

Discovery phase: Approved for Initial Funding

About PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs

PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs, helps young Canadians discover their passions through real-world, in-school learning experiences. Based in Metro Vancouver and operating across Canada (with over 80% of programming in BC) the organization equips students with an entrepreneurial mindset, building confidence, adaptability, and resilience.

Their vision is a future where every young person sees themselves as a capable creator, problem-solver, and contributor, equipped with the skills to shape their own future and build a more innovative, inclusive, and economically resilient Canada.

Why Their Work Matters

As Canada works to build a more competitive, innovative, and resilient economy, students need more than just knowledge. They need opportunities to apply ideas, solve real problems, and develop the confidence to create value in their communities and future careers. Because the world is always changing, early applied learning experiences shape what young people see as possible.

PowerPlay’s impact is backed by research: a 2023 Johns Hopkins University study demonstrated that the program results in improvements in school attendance, engagement, and achievement. Furthermore, a Simon Fraser University study showed that participating students demonstrate an 11% increase in growth mindset and measurable gains between 26% and 59% in skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and communication. In 2025 alone, more than 32,000 students participated in the program.

What PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs Does

PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs provides a 6 to 8-week, teacher-facilitated program designed for grades 4 through 8 classrooms. To support educator capacity, the organization offers turnkey, curriculum-aligned resources, including a teacher manual, student workbooks, parent materials, a video suite, and professional development.

This empowers teachers to increase their effectiveness in personalizing learning and embedding entrepreneurial thinking into the classroom.

Key Activities 

Students bring their learning to life through a hands-on journey that include:

• Creating real business ventures and developing business plans.
• Conducting market research to shape their ideas.
• Producing products and designing marketing materials.
• Showcasing and selling their products at the Young Entrepreneur Show
• Earning real money and donating a portion of their profits to charity.
• To date, students have contributed over $500,000 in donations to various causes.

With SVP Vancouver’s support, PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs plans to accomplish the following over the next three years: 

• Create and implement a diversified, sustainable fundraising strategy to provide greater access to their program.
• Hire and train a dedicated fundraising staff member and invest in a new Donor Management System.
• Develop and launch a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy.
• Cultivate and maintain long-term connections with alumni by establishing a formal alumni program.
• Expand into additional provinces, reach more than 40,000 students per year, Increase school coverage to 65% of BC Schools and grow their funding sources (including individual donors) from 200 to 288

How SVP Vancouver Will Help: 

SVP Vancouver’s partnership will focus on strengthening PowerPlay’s capacity through an initial funding request of $120,000 over three years to support fundraising staffing and donor management software.

Beyond financial support, SVP will assist the organization in evaluating its current organizational structure and articulating potential improvements. This holistic support will help PowerPlay build a sustainable national funding model, deepen relationships with Indigenous communities, and work toward their long-term goal of serving 400,000 students across the country.

Have questions about PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs, want to get more involved, or learn more about them? Reach out directly with any questions, please contact Helen.