Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ has received $500,000 from the Embark Student Foundation to launch the Embark Business Academy (Em-BA), a new career accelerator designed to help students and recent graduates transition from post-secondary education into meaningful employment.
With youth unemployment continuing to outpace the national average and entry-level roles rapidly evolving in an AI-driven economy, the program aims to better prepare graduates for today’s workforce.
Funded through the Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program, Em-BA is a free 14-week part-time virtual program running from May to August 2026 for post-secondary students and recent graduates under the age of 29. The program combines structured business training, AI fluency, and applied project experience while providing financial support to participants, including an honorarium for those who complete the full program.
“There’s a gap between graduation and employability, and right now young Canadians are falling into it,” said Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures. “Thanks to Embark’s support, we’ve built something designed to close it: hands-on experience, AI fluency, and the kind of business exposure that employers actually care about.”
During the first half of the program, participants will take part in live virtual workshops led by DMZ Experts-in-Residence. The sessions will cover core business fundamentals, organizational decision-making, and career pathways in areas such as sales, marketing, and operations. Participants will also learn practical AI tools for productivity, research, and analysis while developing communication and pitching skills. Those who complete the first half of the program will receive a certificate of completion.
Select participants will then have the opportunity to apply their skills to real business challenges, working in teams to develop solutions for growing companies. Participants who complete the program will receive a $3,000 honorarium, while top-performing teams will compete for a share of a $20,000 prize pool.
The initiative comes as youth unemployment remains disproportionately high and employers increasingly expect graduates to enter the workforce with applied experience and AI literacy. By combining structured training with hands-on project work, the program aims to close the experience gap that often exists between graduation and employment — particularly for underrepresented students and those outside STEM fields who have historically had fewer pathways into the workforce.
“This year’s Major Grant recipients highlighted the urgent challenge of youth unemployment and the need for equitable access to work-integrated learning and upskilling opportunities,” said Andrew Lo, President and CEO of Embark. “Programs like the Embark Business Academy help students graduate prepared, confident, and ready to contribute meaningfully to their fields.”
Applications for Em-BA are now open to university students and recent graduates across Canada under the age of 29. The program begins in May 2026, with applications closing April 26.