Enactify is a social enterprise development platform designed for Enactus students. It is part of a national research initiative examining how structured entrepreneurial learning processes support innovation and project development. Enactify has two main components."

The first component is a self-paced micro-learning platform that guides Enactus students through a three-phase entrepreneurial process modelled after New Product Design cycles. These learning materials also integrate human-centred design and design thinking approaches from Stanford University’s d.school, Strategyzer’s Value Proposition and Business Model Design canvases and test cards, primary and secondary research and experimentation examples including how to do ethical research and several project management tools, including Work Breakdown Structures and GANTTs, Kanban walls, Agile sprint-based scrums, revenue models aligned to cost-revenue structures and scalable 5-year planning.

The second is an interactive development environment that supports teams as they progress through social enterprise design and implementation across the three agile entrepreneurial phases (Ideation, Experimentation and Implementation). Teams document progress, complete milestones, and collaborate with community partners as they build their projects.

Fame, glory, knowledge… we’re kidding around, but there are two significant advantages to using Enactify. The first is learning to think entrepreneurially and using iterative testing to develop a proof of concept before bringing your project to market. This is designed to enhance your economic sustainability as well as the social, environmental, and/or economic impact of your social enterprise projects. The second advantage is that Enactify’s self-paced micro-learning platform provides a structured and interactive environment that helps teams stay engaged, focused, and accountable throughout project development, while developing their project alongside other teams across Canada.

It's simple. Before and after each phase, team members will individually answer questionnaires designed to measure states of entrepreneurial efficacy and intention. At the end of the study, teams will be invited to participate in virtual interviews and focus groups.

The learning materials and Enactify platform are derived from three phases of entrepreneurial development, based on new product development cycles used by innovation specialists: ideation, experimentation, and implementation.

Ideation is the process teams use to develop their social enterprise concept. It includes concept development, needs assessment, human-centred design, value proposition and business model canvass development and ecosystem mapping.

This phase focuses on developing prototypes (minimal viable products or MVPs) and iteratively testing them with potential users. Teams design testing plans and instruments, gather primary research, and refine their solution until reaching proof of concept while using secondary research to develop a greater understanding of the community need.

This phase focuses on the resources required to launch the social enterprise project. It includes revenue model identification, project management planning, cost and revenue modelling, and development of a project charter and 5-year scalable work plan. Teams may also use tools such as Monday.com to support project execution.

The Enactify PhD research project is being led by Trevor McFadyen from Capilano University and the University of Leicester. It examines how a structured, phase-based entrepreneurial development process influences Enactus students’ confidence, capability, and intention to create social enterprises. Teams engage in ideation, experimentation, and implementation while completing surveys before and after each phase, allowing researchers to track changes in entrepreneurial self-efficacy and innovation outcomes over time. The research is longitudinal -that means there are multiple phases. They are the Pre-Test, Phase 1(Ideation), Phase 2 (Experimentation), Phase 3 (Implementation) and the Post-Test.

Before and after each phase is completed (see timeline below), your team members will be asked individually complete questionnaires measuring entrepreneurial efficacy and intention. It’s that simple.

The online platform will track you and send reminders as you move through the self-paced micro-learning modules. Your faculty advisor has agreed to verify completion of all elements and phases of your real-life project design and development as it relates to Enactify. Faculty advisors act as impartial observers and use shared checklists, which are available under Faculty Advisor Resources and visible to teams.

There is only one: teams must complete the research questionnaires on time. This applies to all participating teams. The project timelines are also constrained by the study; see the timelines below.

The timeline spans approximately 12 months to allow teams sufficient time to design and develop strong projects, with most project development occurring from September 2026-April 2027. Following the design/development over three New Project Development phases, we recommend that your R&D team transition to a project deployment team. Historically, the most successful Enactus initiatives take multiple years to mature, and this schedule reflects that reality.

Post Nationals 2026 – September 1, 2027 Begin to assemble/hire your New Project Design Team (this will be the Enactus project development team). Teams should comprise of 4-7 people with one communications and one coordination person. Pre-Phase Survey September 1, 2026 – September 15, 2026

Phase 1 Ideation September 16, 2026 – October 30, 2026 (31 workdays) Phase 1 Survey Period November 2 – 6, 2026 (5 workdays)

Phase 2 Experimentation November 21, 2027 – February 15, 2027 (26 workdays **not including December**) Phase 2 Survey Period February 16, 2027 – February 20, 2027 (5 workdays)

Phase 3 Implementation February 21, 2027 – March 24, 2027 (24 workdays) Phase 3 Survey Period March 29 1, 2027-April 2, 2027 (5 workdays)

Post-Phase Survey May 1, 2027 – May 15, 2027 6. Post Nationals 2027 - Hire a project team and prepare to deploy project June – August, 2027 Deploy Project – September 2027