Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program
ON, Canada
Expertise and leadership to assist women entrepreneurs
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Grant and Funding
Expert Advice
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- Innovation Guelph
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Access experts and leadership coaching to boost your business momentum and help you identify an effective path to scaling up.
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The Rhyze® Up! Program supports various projects and activities such as:
- Market expansion initiatives
- Product development projects
- Sales and marketing strategy enhancements
- Technology adoption and integration efforts
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$100,000
Vancouver
Development of a new line of eco-friendly packaging solutions
$45,000
Montreal
Enhancing the digital marketing strategy for a local art gallery
$75,000
Toronto
Market expansion of organic skin care products in major Canadian cities
$150,000
Edmonton
Product development for a new line of electric bikes with enhanced battery life
$125,000
Calgary
Integration of advanced analytics technology in retail operations
$60,000
Ottawa
Sales strategy enhancement for a local organic grocery store chain
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Rhyze Up! Program eligibility criteria include:
- Being women-led or women-owned or nonbinary-led or nonbinary-owned
- Incorporated in Canada
- Employing less than five hundred staff
- Generating a minimum of $200,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR)
- Founder cannot be a consultant or solo entrepreneur with a service or retail outlet focused on selling locally, and/or unable or unwilling to scale
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
There are eligible types of companies for the Rhyze® Up! Program:
- Women-led or women-owned
- Nonbinary-led or nonbinary-owned
- Incorporated in Canada
- Employ less than five hundred staff
- Generating a minimum of $200,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR)
- Founder cannot be a consultant or solo entrepreneur with a service or retail outlet focused on selling locally, and/or unable or unwilling to scale
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Based on the grant information provided, companies that are not eligible for the Rhyze® Up! program include:
- Consultants or solo entrepreneurs with a service or retail outlet focused on selling locally
- Unable or unwilling to scale
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include:
- Business scale-up services
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Companies that are not eligible for this grant:
- Consultants or solo entrepreneurs with a service or retail outlet focused on selling locally
- Companies unable or unwilling to scale
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There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Rhyze® Up! program. Companies must meet the following requirements:
- Be women-led, women-owned, nonbinary-led, or nonbinary-owned
- Incorporated in Canada
- Employ less than five hundred staff
- Generating a minimum of $200,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR)
- Founder cannot be a consultant or solo entrepreneur with a service or retail outlet focused on selling locally, and/or unable or unwilling to scale
- Other eligibility criteria may be used to determine companies who would be the best fit for the program
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- Step 1: Filling out the Application
- Submit an application with detailed information about you and your company.
- Step 2: Initial Contact
- Someone from Boundless Accelerator will contact you within two business days.
- Step 3: Phase 1 - Discovery
- Receive up to 15 hours of mentorship to identify your company's growth options. This phase is fully funded for a select group of qualified applicants.
- Step 4: Phase 2 - Traction
- Gain access to funding for your project and work with industry specialists to tackle key challenges identified in the Discovery Phase. A $5,000 subsidy is available for approved projects, with a client contribution of $1,400.
- Step 5: Ongoing Leadership Coaching
- Participate in 1:1 Leadership Coaching sessions, which are fully funded and run throughout the program.
Apply to this program
Rhyze® Up! National Accelerator Grant Overview
The Rhyze® Up! national accelerator supports women-founded or co-founded companies across Canada, offering mentorship, funding, and leadership coaching to help scale their businesses. This inclusive and EDI-friendly program provides up to $10,000 in support for business scale-up services to eligible companies.
Comprehensive Guide to the Rhyze® Up! National Accelerator
The Rhyze® Up! national accelerator is an inspiring and empowering program designed to fortify the growth prospects of women-led businesses in Canada. Launched by the Boundless Accelerator™, this grant offers a unique blend of mentorship, project implementation support, leadership coaching, and education targeted specifically for women entrepreneurs. In the forthcoming sections, we will delve into the specifics of the program, the eligibility criteria, and the multitude of benefits it offers to participating businesses.
Purpose and Inspiration
The idea for Rhyze® Up! arises from the rhizome, which is a root system utilized by some plants for growth. Unlike conventional root systems, a rhizome grows horizontally underground and sends up shoots from its nodes, which appear as separate plants on the surface but are interconnected underground. This system is symbolic of the program's goal: to connect, support, and nurture the resilience of women entrepreneurs across Canada.
The Rhyze® Up! program is committed to inclusivity and spans the full spectrum of gender diversity. That means it welcomes women and those who identify as women, embodying the evolving principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Eligibility Criteria
Before diving into the application process, it's important to understand if your business qualifies for the program. The key eligibility criteria are:
- Your company should be women-led or women-owned, or nonbinary-led or nonbinary-owned.
- The company must be incorporated in Canada.
- Your business should employ fewer than 500 staff members.
- It should generate a minimum of $200,000 in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).
- Founders who act as consultants or solo entrepreneurs with a service or retail outlet focusing on local sales and who are unwilling or unable to scale are not eligible.
The eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that the program fits businesses that are poised for growth and capable of scaling up. Despite these specific criteria, not all applicants will be accepted due to limited spots. Therefore, it is crucial to present a comprehensive and compelling application.
Program Structure
The Rhyze® Up! program is divided into three main phases designed to progressively help your business scale up through targeted interventions and support:
Phase 1: Discovery
In the Discovery Phase, participants receive up to 15 hours of mentorship aimed at identifying growth options for their businesses. This phase is fully funded and comes at no cost to the selected participants, representing a value of over $2,000. The mentorship is individualized and focuses on understanding your business's current state and potential pathways for expansion.
Phase 2: Traction
The Traction Phase is where actionable plans are developed and implemented. Participants gain access to funding for their projects, which have been identified and prioritized during the Discovery Phase. During this phase, you will collaborate with industry specialists from Boundless Accelerator™ on key challenges. An approved project can avail of a $5,000 subsidy, but it also requires a client contribution of $1,400. This collaboration aims to accelerate business growth and bridge any gaps hampering progress.
Leadership Coaching
Leadership coaching is an integral part of the program and is fully funded. Participants receive one-on-one leadership coaching sessions that run throughout the duration of the program. These coaching sessions aim to refine leadership skills, enhance decision-making capabilities, and foster a growth mindset necessary for scaling a business.
Application Process
Applying for the Rhyze® Up! national accelerator program is straightforward but requires detailed and thoughtful responses. Interested businesses need to complete an application form where they will be asked to provide extensive information about their company, its operations, and growth ambitions. Following the submission, Boundless Accelerator™ will review the application and reach out within two business days with further instructions or queries.
Given the competitive nature of the program and the limited spots, it is important to meticulously prepare your application. Highlight your business's strengths, growth potential, and how participating in the Rhyze® Up! program will catalyze your expansion plans.
Benefits of Participation
Beyond the obvious financial subsidies and mentorship, the Rhyze® Up! program provides a plethora of additional benefits:
- National Exposure: Being part of this prestigious program puts your business on a national platform.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other like-minded women entrepreneurs and industry experts.
- Expert Guidance: Access to top-notch advice and expertise which can offer new perspectives on your business challenges and opportunities.
- Resource Allocation: Optimize the allocation of resources in key growth areas identified during the Discovery Phase.
- Personal Development: Leadership coaching helps in building a robust leadership style crucial for managing a scaling enterprise.
Commitment to EDI
One of the powerful aspects of the Rhyze® Up! program is its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The program's language and execution strategies are continually evolving to be as inclusive as possible. This approach acknowledges the diverse spectrum of gender identities and aims to be a nurturing platform for all women entrepreneurs.
Program Support
The Rhyze® Up! program is supported in part by the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). This collaboration strengthens the program's reliability and adds another layer of validation and support, making it a well-rounded opportunity for participating businesses.
Conclusion
The Rhyze® Up! national accelerator is more than just a grant – it's a holistic growth platform for women-led businesses in Canada. With targeted mentorship, substantial financial support, leadership coaching, and a commitment to inclusivity, the program embodies the essence of relentless growth and interconnected resilience, much like its namesake rhizome.
For women entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and reach new heights, the Rhyze® Up! program is an invaluable resource. By participating, you not only receive financial and expert support but also become part of a larger, empowering network aimed at fostering sustainable growth and success.
