Participate in a 10-week boot camp designed to help you at the early stages of building a tech or tech-enabled startup. The program includes workshops, one-on-one mentorship, physical work space, and networking opportunities.

Eligibility criteria

IO Ignition is a 10-week bootcamp for entrepreneurs looking to validate a tech startup idea and establish a strong business foundation. To be eligible, applicants should be willing to test assumptions, be focused on tech or tech-enabled products, have engaged with customers or made initial sales, and seek to expand their network with other founders.

Willing to test assumptions
Focused on tech or tech-enabled products
Engaged with customers or made initial sales
Seeking to expand network with other founders

Who is eligible

Eligible companies for the IO Ignition Program are early-stage startups looking to validate a tech startup idea and build a solid business foundation. They should be in the tech or tech-enabled product space and have started engaging with customers or making initial sales.

Early-stage startups
Tech or tech-enabled product companies
Companies that have started talking to customers or have initial sales

Eligible expenses

There are eligible expenses for this grant. The program offers discounts on business essential software as a service (SaaS) tools that help accelerate growth. Some eligible expenses include:

Legal services
Finance and accounting tools
Equity management software
Insurance services
Sales and marketing tools
Project management software
Website design services

Eligible projects & activities

Projects or activities eligible for the IO Ignition Program:

Entrepreneurs with tech or tech-enabled product ideas
Early-stage startups looking to validate their startup idea
Founders who have started talking to customers or have initial sales
Individuals seeking to build their network with like-minded founders

Evaluation & selection criteria

IO Ignition Program evaluates and selects applicants based on specific criteria to ensure a suitable fit for the bootcamp.

Relevance of the startup idea to the tech industry
Previous engagement with customers or initial sales
Desire to challenge assumptions and build a network
Fit with the Venture Path trajectory

How to apply

Step 1: Visit the IO Ignition Program application page.
Step 2: Fill out the application form with your information and details about your startup idea.
Step 3: Submit your application for review.

Documents and links

Invest Ottawa Ignition Program

Apply to this program

IO Ignition Program Grant Summary

IO Ignition Program is a 10-week bootcamp designed for entrepreneurs aiming to validate their tech startup idea and establish a robust business foundation. The program offers real-world expertise, mentorship, networking opportunities, pitch training, and exclusive perks to support early stage startups.

IO Ignition Program Detailed Overview

The IO Ignition Program by Invest Ottawa is a comprehensive bootcamp tailored for entrepreneurs looking to kickstart their tech ventures. Over the course of 10 weeks, participants gain insights into key elements of building a successful tech company, such as customer discovery interviews, lean startup methodology, legal and financial aspects, product development, sales strategies, growth hacking, funding options, marketing practices, and pitching techniques.

One of the program's core features is the opportunity for one-on-one mentorship with Early Stage Advisors who are experienced founders in the tech industry. This personalized guidance helps entrepreneurs navigate challenges and make informed decisions for their startups.

Graduates of the IO Ignition Program often transition to the IO Flex phase, where they engage with a community of startup founders to discuss shared challenges and connect with industry influencers. Additionally, participants get to showcase their business ideas in the Pitch Finale, honing their presentation skills and gaining exposure to potential investors and customers.

Moreover, the program offers exclusive perks in the form of discounts on essential SaaS tools, enabling startups to manage their expenses efficiently while accelerating their growth. By leveraging the resources and support provided through IO Ignition, entrepreneurs can position their tech startups for long-term success in the competitive market landscape.