Founders Circle
Hosted by Chang Institute Mentor-in-Residence and SFU Assistant Professor of Practice Doug Fast, the Founders Circle is a great place for innovators of all experience levels to dive into entrepreneurial ideas, successes, and failures. With assigned podcasts and reading, you'll hear and discuss inspirational stories from some of business’ greats.
These weekly sessions offer the perfect space to develop your core entrepreneurial skills, apply them to your business or idea, and network with Chang Institute startup teams!
The Fall 2025 series will feature:
- Real startup stories for group discussion
- Fireside chats with founders at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey
- A supportive group of like-minded individuals
Thursdays from 3-4pm on :
- September 25 - Doug Fast's Startup Journey - Founder Storytime
- October 2 - Lessons learned from Pogs to yo-yos to Razor scooters
- October 9 - Craigslist: The Empire No One Planned - podcast
(*virtual only with adjusted time - 2:45pm-3:45pm) - October 16 - Therabody: Jason Wersland on How I Built This with Guy Raz - podcast
- October 23 - Ferrari: The Business of Going Fast (and Saying No) - Listen here: Colossus or Apple Podcasts
- October 30 - Turns Out, Laundry Was a Billion-Dollar Idea - Listen on Wondery
- November 6 - The Happy Accident That Built a Billion-Dollar Sound - Listen on 20k
- November 13 - Shiva Nanda Shares His Startup Journey - Founder Storytime
- November 20 - Finding Opportunity on a Sinking Ship - group discussion!
- November 27 - It started with one really thirsty surfer dude - Listen on Wondery
- December 4 - The Hot Potato Session: What We’re Struggling With (and Learning From) - group discussion!
(*adjusted time - 3:30pm-4:30pm PST) - December 11 - SFU Alum's Beauty Brand: SUVA Beauty
- December 18
To sign-up please email Fiona at cip_changinstitute@sfu.ca
Founders Circle meetings run on Thursdays (except stat holidays) 3-4pm until December 18th, 2025.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Surrey Campus