Closed
Last Update: April 28, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : March 25, 2024
- Closing date : April 30, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
ELLA Ascend is a 4-month accelerator for women-led ventures focused on products and services. It helps founders build traction, strengthen operations, and improve financial readiness through workshops, mentorship, and peer support.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : March 25, 2024
- Closing date : April 30, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business growth acceleration for women-led ventures.
- Workshops in marketing, sales, operations, and finance.
- One-on-one mentorship and progress check-ins.
- Founder Circles for peer discussion and support.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Women entrepreneurs.
- Registered businesses.
- Non-profits.
- Social enterprises.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview.
- Candidates are finalized and notified.
Additional information
- Applicants should be prepared to commit fully to the requirements of the 4-month accelerator program, which involves around 1-2 days of programming per week. - Attendance at mentorship meetings, Progress Check-ins, Founder Circles, and Workshops is mandatory. - The program is designed to create a safe space for accepted participants only, external guests are generally not allowed to attend official ELLA programming. - If applicants have issues accessing content or need assistance, they can reach out to ellawomen@yorku.ca for support. - The program aims to help participants define growth goals and milestones for their businesses and receive expert advice to work towards achieving them.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ELLA Ascend Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the ELLA Ascend. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the ELLA Ascend?
ELLA Ascend is a 4-month accelerator for women-led ventures focused on products and services. It helps founders build traction, strengthen operations, and improve financial readiness through workshops, mentorship, and peer support.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was April 30, 2024.
Who is eligible for the ELLA Ascend program?
To be eligible for the ELLA Ascend program, you must:
Woman-owned business.
Based in Canada.
Minimum $100,000 revenue.
What expenses are eligible under ELLA Ascend?
Business growth acceleration for women-led ventures.
Workshops in marketing, sales, operations, and finance.
One-on-one mentorship and progress check-ins.
Founder Circles for peer discussion and support.
Where is the ELLA Ascend available?
The ELLA Ascend program is available the province of Ontario.
Who are the financial supporters of the ELLA Ascend?
ELLA Ascend is funded by York University