A new social-venture accelerator course that began this month attracted more than 40 applications for just 27 seats, according to Beedie business instructor Shawn Smith. The six-week, three-credit intersession course aims to prepare students to launch their own social ventures. Smith says a combination of lectures, case studies, business models, mentors and guest speakers will give students the skills and knowledge they need to launch a venture that balances social impact and financial sustainability. Teams will receive $400 each from program sponsor Vancity to test their idea, with a further $5,000 in grants available at the end of the course for selected teams.