Applications are now open for IDEA Mississauga’s Step-Up Program

IDEA Mississauga is excited to announce that applications for the Step-Up Program are now open. The Step-Up Program is a six-month initiative designed to help innovative and inclusive businesses overcome barriers to their growth, reach new levels of success, and drive meaningful social and environmental change.

Program highlights

The IDEA Step-Up Program offers a wide range of opportunities for scaling companies. Successful applicants will benefit from:

• Expert C-Suite training: Participants will gain key insights through specialized workshops tailored to address common challenges faced by scaling companies.
• Personalized mentorship: Experienced mentors, industry experts and entrepreneurs-in-residence will be available to provide guidance and facilitate networking to support business growth.
• Attracting new opportunities: Businesses will have a chance to put their best foot forward in front of investors, corporate partners and the City at IDEA’s Pitch & Showcase event. Participants will receive support in pitch development, financial projections and fundraising.
• Sector-specific expertise: Participants will benefit from tailored panels and introductions in Tech, Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing.
• Comprehensive resources: Successful applicants will have access to co-working space, exclusive memberships and competitive funding opportunities. They will also have the opportunity to compete for $10,000 in grants, research and development funding, and pitch prizes to fuel innovation.

Eligibility criteria

The Step-Up Program is aimed at companies that are in Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing or Information & Communications Technology. To be eligible for the program, businesses must be located in, or be planning to relocate to, Mississauga. Applicants should also have annual revenues between $100,000 and $2 million with patented innovations or pre-seed funding. Priority will be given to businesses owned or led by individuals from underrepresented communities.

Building a more sustainable and inclusive future

Participating in the IDEA Step-Up Program also means driving positive social and environmental change. IDEA is committed to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity. The program is designed to help businesses expand while addressing the needs of all community members to actively overcome systemic barriers, ensuring everyone benefits from Mississauga’s thriving economy.

The IDEA Step-Up Program is a great opportunity for emerging businesses ready to make a significant impact.

Discover how you can drive change at an upcoming information session

Applicants are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session to learn more about the IDEA Step-Up Program.

• An in-person session will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Register here.
• A virtual information session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Register here.

For more details, including application deadlines, please visit IDEA Mississauga’s website or contact stepup@mississauga.ca

Background

• IDEA, powered by Invest Mississauga, brings together industry, government, education and organizational leaders to help start-ups and scale-ups accelerate ideas and commercialize solutions.
• IDEA offers entrepreneurs a comprehensive suite of resources to support their needs and growth, including tailored programs and services, along with a rich network of mentorship, partners and talent.
• From start-up to scale-up, the IDEA team is dedicated to driving innovation and turning entrepreneurs’ ideas into reality.

Quote

“The Step-Up Program, powered by IDEA Square One, fosters growth and innovation for scaling companies while driving meaningful change in our community. As part of Invest Mississauga, IDEA brings industry, government and educational leaders together to help local businesses accelerate their ideas and bring innovative solutions to Mississauga’s economy. The Step-Up program is just one of the many ways the City is committed to transforming ideas into reality and supporting the growth of the next generation of business leaders.” – Christina Kakaflikas, Director, Invest Mississauga

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Tags

• Economic Development