Mark Brand, one of the leading social entrepreneurs in Vancouver, will be the keynote speaker at the Starting Point conference to be held at St. Mary’s University from Feb. 18 to 20.

The Starting Point conference is designed to bring together student entrepreneurs and educate them in fundraising, developing ideas, social entrepreneurship, and other facets of starting their own businesses. The organizers expect about 150 student entrepreneurs from across Canada.

The highlight of the three-day event will be a keynote address by Mark Brand to an audience of as many as 600 people.

“Successfully operating eight businesses in the downtown area, he has become a prominent example of a new generation of leadership,” said promotional material from SMU, which is a client of Entrevestor. “A fighter for Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, this enigmatic social entrepreneur is determined to breathe new life into the struggling and disjointed community.”

The other sessions at the Starting Point conference include master classes on various facets of entrepreneurship, an ideation tournament and a funder speed dating session.

Tickets for the conference are available here.