How much funding can be received?

As the ELLA Altitude program is designed to accelerate the growth of women-led businesses in Canada, the eligible activities focus on strategic business scaling and leadership development.

Mentorship and goal definition
Strategy building with fractional executives
Leadership coaching
Guidance on acquiring new customers or entering untapped markets
Progress check-ins and milestone tracking

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$25,000

Expand social enterprise services by acquiring new clients and improving technological infrastructure

$16,000

Boost a sole proprietorship café business's growth through professional development and strategic marketing

$20,000

Enhance a NPO’s autonomous revenue by investing in technology and staff training

$20,000

Expand a financial cooperative’s outreach by leveraging market strategy and leadership training

$20,000

Develop an innovative marketing strategy and acquire new customers through digital campaigns

$20,000

Assist non-financial cooperative in gaining market share through strategic planning and technology

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for the ELLA Altitude program, applicants must meet certain criteria:

You are a woman entrepreneur with at least 50% ownership of a registered business, non-profit or social enterprise, and you are working full-time on your venture
Your business earns at least $200,000 in revenues annually*
You have significant traction in your industry and are ready to scale your business to new heights
Your business is located in Canada
You are open to change, looking to step out of your comfort zone

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for the ELLA Altitude program. These include women-owned businesses, non-profits, and social enterprises that meet specific criteria.

Women-owned businesses with at least 50% ownership
Non-profits
Social enterprises

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

There are eligible expenses for this grant. Eligible expenses may include:

Business operations costs
Marketing expenses
Professional development fees
Technology and software upgrades

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zone for this grant is Canada.

Canada

grant_single_labels|criteria

The ELLA Altitude program selection process is competitive and is based on several criteria to ensure that the most fitting candidates are chosen. The criteria focus on the entrepreneur's leadership, business traction, readiness to scale, and commitment to the program.

Applicant is a woman entrepreneur with at least 50% ownership of a registered business, non-profit, or social enterprise
Applicant is working full-time on their venture
Business earns at least $200,000 in annual revenues (special considerations made for non-profit organizations and social enterprises)
Significant traction in the industry
Readiness to scale the business to new heights
Business is located in Canada
Openness to change and willingness to step out of the comfort zone

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Complete the online application. Please note applications are now closed. To join the waitlist for 2024, please subscribe below. If you have any questions about the registration process, email us at ellawomen@yorku.ca.
Step 2: Short-listed candidates invited to interview.
Step 3: Candidates finalized.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

ELLA Altitude is an accelerator program aimed at helping women entrepreneurs scale their businesses through expert mentorship, strategic guidance, and leadership development.

Applications open on July 16, 2024
Applications close on August 11, 2024
Program duration is from October 2024 to January 2025
Participants must be women entrepreneurs with at least 50% business ownership
Business must have annual revenues of at least $200,000
Business must be located in Canada
Attendance at various sessions is mandatory unless otherwise arranged

grant_single_labels|documents

ELLA Altitude

grant_single_labels|contact

ellawomen@yorku.ca

416-736-2100

Apply to this program

ELLA Altitude Accelerator Program

The ELLA Altitude program, powered by Desjardins, is a 4-month accelerator designed for women entrepreneurs in Canada looking to rapidly scale their businesses. This comprehensive initiative offers expert mentorship, leadership coaching, and strategic guidance to help participants reach new business heights.

Comprehensive Guide to ELLA Altitude Accelerator Program

The ELLA Altitude program is an exceptional opportunity for women entrepreneurs in Canada who are eager to expand their businesses. This program is designed to provide a wealth of resources, including expert mentorship, leadership coaching, and strategic business guidance. Here's a detailed look at the various aspects of the ELLA Altitude program and how it functions.

Program Overview

ELLA Altitude is a structured 4-month accelerator program specifically for women entrepreneurs who have demonstrated significant industry traction and are ready to take their businesses to new heights. The program is powered by Desjardins and aims to fast-track business growth through extensive support mechanisms and resources.

Mentorship and Coaching

One of the pillars of the ELLA Altitude program is the personalized mentorship and coaching offered to participants. Here's a breakdown:

Mentorship: Each participant is paired with a mentor who provides tailored guidance to help define and achieve business goals. The mentor's role is to support and coach the entrepreneur through various challenges and growth phases.
Fractional Executive Support: Participants also have access to a fractional executive who specializes in a critical business area such as marketing, operations, or finance. This expert will help build a solid strategy for scaling.
Leadership Coaching: The program includes sessions with a leadership coach to enhance leadership skills and ensure the entrepreneur grows alongside their business.

Community and Networking

The ELLA Altitude program fosters a strong community of like-minded women entrepreneurs. This inclusive network creates opportunities for collaboration and support from peers across different industries and specializations. Networking events and collaborative sessions are integral parts of the program, ensuring participants build valuable connections.

Growth Frameworks and Milestone-Driven Approach

The program is designed to drive growth through strategic frameworks and a milestone-driven approach. Participants receive individualized guidance from growth mentors who help in acquiring new customers and exploring untapped markets. By the end of the program, participants are expected to understand how to scale customer acquisition effectively.

Each aspect of the program is crafted to help entrepreneurs set and achieve specific milestones, fostering a mindset change that pushes business operations to new heights.

Program Timeline

Applications Open: July 16, 2024
Applications Close: August 11, 2024
Selection Process: September 2024, involving interviews with shortlisted candidates.
Program Duration: October 2024 to January 2025

Note that applications for the current cycle are closed, but interested entrepreneurs can join the waitlist for future cycles.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the ELLA Altitude program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a woman entrepreneur with at least 50% ownership of a registered business, non-profit, or social enterprise.
Be working full-time on their venture.
Have annual revenues of at least $200,000 (special considerations are made for non-profit organizations and social enterprises).
Show significant traction in their industry and readiness to scale.
Be open to stepping out of their comfort zone and embracing change.
Be located in Canada.

Application Process

The application process consists of several steps:

Online Application: Candidates must complete an online application.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview.
Final Selection: Final candidates are selected based on the interview outcomes and overall fit for the program.

For applicants experiencing any issues or those unable to attend mandatory sessions, it is crucial to communicate with the ELLA team to make alternate arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot attend a session?

Attendance at mentorship meetings, progress check-ins, mastermind sessions, and leadership sessions is mandatory. In case of extenuating circumstances, participants should email the ELLA team to make alternate arrangements.

Who do I contact if I am having issues accessing content?

For any programming, resource, or technical issues, participants should email the ELLA team for assistance.

Can anyone attend ELLA programming?

Official ELLA programming is exclusive to accepted participants to maintain a safe and supportive environment. External events organized by ELLA and its partners may be open to external guests.

Conclusion

The ELLA Altitude Accelerator Program is a transformative initiative designed for women entrepreneurs in Canada. By offering mentorship, leadership coaching, strategic guidance, and a robust community network, the program aims to help participants scale their businesses significantly. Whether you're looking to acquire new customers or enhance your leadership skills, ELLA Altitude provides the tools and resources needed to achieve these objectives.

For entrepreneurs interested in future participation, joining the waitlist ensures you won't miss out on this invaluable opportunity.