FastStartDC is a free, extra-curricular program offered to students of Durham College. Students from all of DC’s programs and from any campus are eligible to participate. The FastStartDC program is designed to help entrepreneurial students develop and launch their own businesses, while they are studying at Durham College.

At FastStartDC, we empower students to explore entrepreneurial pathways, from gig work and self-employment to launching startups. Whether you're looking to monetize your talent, start a side hustle, or build a full-scale business, we help you create a clear career plan.

We provide a variety of learning experiences, including cohort programs, events, tutorials, and hands-on experiential opportunities. Our core curriculum equips students with essential entrepreneurial skills, while specialized pathways in gig and social entrepreneurship offer tailored support for those exploring these specific areas.

Students can also book one-on-one business coaching appointments to guide them through every step of their journey—from ideation to making an impact. We offer support in refining business ideas, conducting market research, developing and implementing business plans, and building key skills in marketing, sales, and branding.

You can find us in the 360insights Entrepreneurship Centre, located at the beautiful Centre for Collaborative Education, with some services offered remotely. We are open all year-round, providing ample space for our students to work on their business start-ups, collaborate with other student entrepreneurs, and make themselves a hot cup of coffee. We also have a state-of-the-art studio space that can be booked for our student companies audio-visual needs, as well as an innovative ‘Meet-Pitch-Play’ room and Makerspace where students can pitch ideas to investors, tinker with our Raspberry Pi and Arduino software, rapid prototype with our 3D printers, or host a private boardroom meeting with their team.