Parkdale Centre for Innovation — Women Founders Stream
Canada
Training for self-identifying woman and/or non-binary founders
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- grant_single|openingDateJune 14, 2022
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Other Support
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- Parkdale Centre for Innovation
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Participate in accessible and inclusive leadership, business and entrepreneurship skills trainings to set and meet revenue and growth goals for your business.
Entrepreneurs from across Canada are welcome and the program prioritizes support to initiative
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Eligible projects and activities for this grant include setting up a Roadmap with clear business goals, executing on the Roadmap, and participating in the Accelerator aimed at scale and exit strategies.
- Setting up a Roadmap with clear business goals, challenges, and metrics
- Executing on the Roadmap with program sessions and check-ins
- Activating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a partner
- Engaging in the Accelerator program aimed at scale and exit strategies
- Participating in alumni programs and ecosystem leadership activities
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$7,000
Montreal
Engaging in ecosystem leadership activities and forming partnerships
$8,500
Ottawa
Executing business strategies and participating in an accelerator program
$6,200
Quebec City
Developing a business roadmap and engaging in partnerships for NGO
$8,000
Toronto
Implementing a business roadmap and engaging in scale strategies
$9,000
Vancouver
Creating and executing a business roadmap for a tech startup
$6,000
Calgary
Setting up a business roadmap and training for agricultural cooperative
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Eligibility criteria for this grant include having a business or business idea, the ability to commit to creating a Roadmap, and the goal to develop a sustainable and scalable business model in Canada.
- You are an entrepreneur who self identifies as a woman and/or non-binary.
- You have or are looking to incorporate a new business in Canada.
- You can commit to setting up a Roadmap with traction and revenue goals for your business over a period of 9-18 months.
- You are looking to work on and/or have a sustainable business model with potential for market growth.
- You are looking to strengthen your self-advocacy and partnership strategies to sustain your business development.
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The Women Founders program focuses on supporting self-identifying women and/or non-binary founders who either have an idea, are looking to solve a problem, or have an already established business in Canada. Participants should be committed to developing a sustainable business model with potential for market growth and engaging in self-advocacy and partnership strategies.
- Self-identifying women and/or non-binary founders
- Individuals who have an idea or are looking to solve a problem
- Individuals with an already established business
- Businesses incorporated or looking to incorporate in Canada
- Commitment to developing traction and revenue goals over 9-18 months
- Focus on sustainable business models with market growth potential
- Intention to strengthen self-advocacy and partnership strategies
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There are eligible expenses for this grant. These include:
- Travel costs
- Equipment purchases
- Training fees
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This grant is targeted towards entrepreneurs who are looking to incorporate a new business in Canada.
- Looking to incorporate a new business in Canada
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There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:
- Relevance of the project to the grant objectives
- Quality and feasibility of the project plan
- Qualifications and experience of the project team
- Potential impact and sustainability of the project
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- Step 1: Submit your application online.
- Step 2: Your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted to either revise your application or receive an invitation to continue.
- Step 3: Complete a Roadmap, Multi-Year Budget, and Revenue Model with self-determined metrics.
- Step 4: Participate in the Incubator program upon approval.
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Women Founders program provides ongoing support through webinars and workshops, focuses on data-driven, socially aware, scalable business models, and offers a supportive ecosystem for self-identifying women and non-binary entrepreneurs.
- You do not need to have an established business to participate; having a business idea or a problem to solve is sufficient.
- Participation and support are dependent on engagement with the Roadmap.
- The intake process involves creating a Roadmap, Multi-Year Budget, and Revenue Model with self-determined metrics.
- Applications are open on a rolling basis.
- Info-sessions are available to discuss projects, or questions can be sent via email to contact@parkdaleinnovates.org.
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contact@parkdaleinnovates.org
Apply to this program
Parkdale Centre Women Founders Program Overview
The Parkdale Centre Women Founders Program is an inclusive online initiative designed to support self-identifying women and non-binary entrepreneurs in Canada. This program offers a structured roadmap for business growth, self-advocacy, and partnership development over a period ranging from 9 to 18 months.
Comprehensive Guide to the Parkdale Centre Women Founders Program
The Parkdale Centre Women Founders Program is a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering self-identifying women and non-binary entrepreneurs to embark on a transformative journey of business creation, growth, and sustainability. This program is delivered fully online to ensure accessibility and adaptability, allowing participants to engage and progress at their own pace. Here's a detailed overview of what the program entails, who it's for, and how it works.
Who Can Apply?
The program is specifically designed for: - Entrepreneurs who self-identify as women or non-binary. - Individuals looking to start or have already established a business in Canada. - Founders committed to setting up a Roadmap with specific traction and revenue goals over a 9 to 18-month period. - Participants seeking to create sustainable business models with the potential for market growth. - Entrepreneurs aiming to enhance their self-advocacy and partnership strategies for continuous business development.
Program Structure
The program is meticulously structured into several phases, each addressing different aspects of entrepreneurial growth and development:
Phase 1: Intake
- **Duration**: 4-8 weeks - **Format**: Self-directed - **Objective**: Set up a personalized Roadmap with clear business goals, challenges, and metrics. During this phase, participants focus on establishing a comprehensive plan that outlines their vision, goals, and the strategic steps they need to take. This Roadmap will serve as the foundation for their growth trajectory throughout the program.
Phase 2: Work It!
- **Duration**: 3-9 months - **Format**: Ongoing - **Objective**: Execute the Roadmap by joining program sessions and participating in periodic progress check-ins. This phase is all about action. Founders work diligently to bring their Roadmap to life, leveraging the resources provided by the program. Regular check-ins ensure that participants stay on track and receive the necessary support to overcome challenges.
Phase 3: Pilot
- **Duration**: 8-12 weeks - **Availability**: Applications open during this phase - **Objective**: Activate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a partner and work towards bringing the pilot project to successful fruition. Participants get the opportunity to collaborate with a partner, engaging in practical projects that test their business concepts. This phase is crucial for identifying potential improvements and fine-tuning the business model.
Phase 4: Accelerator
- **Duration**: 16 weeks - **Timing**: Conducted once annually in the Fall - **Objective**: Focus on scaling the business and strategizing for a successful exit. In the Accelerator phase, the focus shifts to scaling and exit strategies. Participants receive advanced training and mentorship to prepare their businesses for significant growth and potential investor interest. This phase is designed to propel startups to the next level.
Phase 5: Alumni
- **Duration**: Ongoing - **Objective**: Continuous engagement through alumni programs and ecosystem leadership opportunities. Even after the core program ends, participants remain part of the Parkdale Centre ecosystem. They have access to ongoing resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to ensure sustained growth and development.
Key Components of the Program
The Parkdale Centre Women Founders Program combines several methodologies and resources to create a robust support system for entrepreneurs:
Self-Led Online Modules
These modules provide foundational knowledge and practical insights into various aspects of business management, including financial planning, marketing, operations, and more. Participants can engage with the content at their own pace, ensuring a flexible learning experience.
Scheduled Webinars
Interactive webinars led by industry experts offer opportunities for participants to deepen their understanding of critical topics, ask questions, and receive guidance tailored to their specific needs.
Workshops and Guest-Led Sessions
Hands-on workshops and guest sessions add a real-world dimension to the learning experience. These sessions provide practical skills and insider knowledge from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions potential applicants might have about the Parkdale Centre Women Founders Program:
1. Do I need an existing business to apply?
No, you can either have an idea, be looking to solve a problem, or have an already established business to participate.
2. How do the programs work?
Our programs focus on data-driven, socially aware, scalable business models. We support all founders with the space and time to start, grow, and scale solid businesses through a combination of programs, frameworks, and ecosystem support.
3. Do I need to achieve my goals to participate in the program?
While webinars are open for participation, the amount of support you receive will correlate to your engagement with the Roadmap.
4. Is Parkdale Centre the right fit for me?
We look for self-driven, resourceful founders with high energy and a focus on solving problems using data and direct-to-business or consumer approaches. Projects should bring value to the people and communities they support. If you're ready to take a critical lens, are self-motivated, and want proactive support to shape your startup, Parkdale Centre is the right place for you.
5. What happens after I submit my application online?
You will be contacted to either revise your application or with an invitation to continue by completing a Roadmap to participate in our Incubator program, with further instructions.
6. What is the Intake process?
You will take the time to create and revise a Roadmap, Multi-Year Budget, and Revenue Model with self-determined metrics in order to participate in the programs.
7. How do applications work?
Applications are open on a rolling basis. Program timelines and details are listed on the Parkdale Centre homepage.
8. Can I book a call to discuss my project?
Yes, you can join an info-session to discuss your work, or send an email to contact@parkdaleinnovates.org with specific questions.
Conclusion
The Parkdale Centre Women Founders Program is more than just a training initiative—it's a community and support system designed to help women and non-binary entrepreneurs succeed. By providing structured guidance, valuable resources, and ongoing support, the program enables participants to build sustainable, impactful businesses that can thrive in a competitive market. Whether you're in the ideation phase or looking to scale your existing business, this program equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.
