The Product Initiative

About Us

The Product Initiative pairs talented student software engineers, designers, product managers and business analysts. Their mission? To build something BIG.

Over the course of our 2-month program, teams of students work together to build and launch software products. Their learning is supplemented through bootcamps, mentorship, and educational content - setting them up for professional and personal growth.

Since launching in May 2020, the program has grown to serve students at eight universities. Learn more about our products and teams below.

Summer 2020 Program

Jun 22 - Jun 28

Bootcamp

Learn what it takes to be a successful PM, designer, developer, or business analyst.

Jun 29 - July 12

Product Ideation and User Research

Ideate on problems with your team. Identify problem spaces you are passionate about. Come up with the idea for something big.

July 12

Product Pitch

Pitch your product idea to a network of industry mentors — designers, product managers, developers, and analysts.

Jul 13 - August 17

Product Development

Work in teams to build out a real minimum viable product — a side project you will have under your belt for the rest of your career.

August 17

Final Product Pitch

Showcase your work to industry mentors, program participants, and national organizers. It's time to shine!

Team Structure

Product Managers

Our product managers define their product's vision, strategy, roadmap, and features. Manage a team of designers, engineers, and analysts to bring your product to life.

Developers

Architect and build your product. Gain experience in full-stack development to bring your product from idea to reality.

Designers

Use your eye for design to build a beautiful, user-friendly product. Craft journey maps, wireframes, prototypes and designs that create a high-quality experience for the product's end user.

Business Analysts

Develop a sustainable business model for your product by leading the creation of marketing & financial strategies. Build compelling pitch decks that sell others on your product.

Why Join?

Our members gain a variety of high quality experiences that prepare them for roles in tech.

Gain real product experience.

Build a side project that you can use for your portfolio — or turn into a business.

Network with the best

Gain exclusive access to a network of industry mentors and workshops that will teach you the skills for success.

Learn something new

Whether through curated content, hands-on experiences, or workshops, gain skills that accelerate your professional career.

Our Team

Our team believes that multidisciplinary teams build the best products. We are a team of software engineers, management consultants, and product managers that have come together to allow students to build something big.

The Product Initiative

Canada's national product development incubator. By students, for students.