How much funding can be received?

Receive advice, tools, and foundational business knowledge, through six workshops training program, if you have a business idea or have recently started a business or not-for-profit organization.

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This grant is specifically available to women entrepreneurs whose businesses are based in Canada. The program is designed to support the growth and validation of these businesses within the Canadian context.

Businesses located in Canada.

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$8,000

Starting a sustainable beauty product line focusing on organic ingredients

$8,000

Launch a tech-based mental health support app

$7,500

Establish a local organic food market with community engagement

$7,000

Establishing a community garden and educational programs about urban agriculture

$7,000

Developing a sustainable fashion line and e-commerce platform

$7,500

Creating a bilingual educational program for immigrant children

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The ELLA Express program has specific eligibility criteria for women entrepreneurs who wish to apply.

You must be a woman entrepreneur.
You are about to launch your business or have recently launched it.
Your business must be located in Canada.
You should be open to change and willing to step out of your comfort zone.
You must be able to fully commit to completing the 6 modules in the online course.

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The ELLA Express program targets women-identifying entrepreneurs who are in the pre-revenue or early stage of launching their business. Eligible participants must meet specific criteria to apply for the program:- Women Entrepreneurs: The applicant must be a woman entrepreneur.- Business Stage: The business is either at the pre-revenue stage or has been recently launched.- Location: The business must be located in Canada.- Eagerness for Growth: The applicant should be open to change and willing to step out of their comfort zone.- Commitment: The applicant must be committed to completing all six modules in the online course.

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ELLA Express aims to empower women entrepreneurs by providing them essential tools and skills necessary for business development. The program comprises workshops and activities designed to enhance business knowledge in key operational areas.

Business model development workshops.
Marketing fundamentals and strategy sessions.
Sales funnel creation and optimization workshops.
Operations and finance management training.
Pitching sessions with expert feedback.
Website optimization and digital presence workshops.

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ELLA Express has evaluation and selection criteria to assess applicants' eligibility and commitment to the program. The criteria are outlined as follows:

Applicant is a woman entrepreneur who is about to launch or recently launched a business
Business is located in Canada
Open to change and willing to step out of comfort zone
Can commit fully to completing the 6 modules in the online course

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Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Submit Application
- Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
- Visit the application link provided in the ELLA Express program information to apply.
- If you have any questions about the registration process, email the provided address: ellawomen@yorku.ca.
Step 2: Join Course
- After your application is accepted, join the virtual course to access core concepts.
- Engage in the workshops and modules that cover various business essentials.

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Here are additional relevant details for this program:

Participants have the flexibility of a self-paced course, allowing them to set their own learning schedule.
After program completion, participants will have enhanced their understanding of their customer needs regarding their product or service.
Expert feedback is provided on participant pitches, aiming to refine and enhance pitching skills.
Networking opportunities with a diverse community of women entrepreneurs are available, potentially leading to partnerships.
Desjardins powers the program, which may provide additional insights or opportunities linked to financial services.

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ELLA Express

Apply to this program

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs with ELLA Express

ELLA Express is a transformative program designed for women entrepreneurs in the pre-revenue or early stage of their business journey, providing them with essential tools, skills, and knowledge to make informed decisions from the outset. With a focus on cultivating a supportive community, this program enables participants to access curated workshops and expert feedback that help validate their business ideas.

In-Depth Insights into the ELLA Express Program

The ELLA Express program, sponsored by Desjardins, is a unique initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in the nascent stages of their business ventures. With a comprehensive curriculum that is both asynchronous and self-paced, participants have the liberty to engage with the course material at their convenience, ensuring a harmonious balance between personal and professional commitments.

Central to the program are six meticulously designed workshops covering the core facets of entrepreneurial success. From establishing a robust business model to mastering marketing fundamentals, participants are equipped to navigate the multifaceted challenges of running a business. The inclusion of sessions like sales funnel development, operations and finance management, venture pitching, and website optimization underscores the program's commitment to offering holistic education in entrepreneurship.

One of the distinguishing features of ELLA Express is the opportunity for founders to receive expert feedback on their pitches, a crucial element in refining their business acumen and presentation skills. This real-world insight prepares participants to convincingly articulate the necessity and value of their offerings, a proficiency that is instrumental in attracting investors and partners.

The program fosters a rich community environment, bringing together women entrepreneurs from diverse industries, backgrounds, and specializations. The resultant networking opportunities are invaluable, allowing participants to forge lasting professional relationships that can lead to collaborations and strategic alliances. This community-centric approach not only enriches the learning experience but also significantly extends the reach and potential impact of each participant's business venture.

Recognizing the diverse needs and stages of development of its participants, ELLA Express is designed to be accessible to women entrepreneurs who are eager to step out of their comfort zones and are open to change. By completing the program, participants not only gain pivotal entrepreneurial skills but also realize the importance of their service or product in fulfilling market needs, thereby validating their business ideas.

The program’s flexible timeline further enhances its appeal, with applications being accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year. This open application policy ensures that eager entrepreneurs can join the program when they are most ready to benefit from it, without being constrained by rigid deadlines.

In conclusion, ELLA Express stands out as a premier educational and community resource for aspiring women entrepreneurs in Canada. It combines the pragmatic components of business training with the supportive network necessary for personal and professional development, ultimately aiming to embolden women in their entrepreneurial ambitions and contribute to the diversity and vitality of the Canadian business landscape.