We have 4 cohorts of Pathfinder and Base Camp each year. We keep an updated list of dates on the Founders Program page of the website.

Our essential criteria to qualify for the program is that you are building something in tech, STEM, advanced manufacturing, or an innovative space. Essentially, if you are building a new product (software of a physical product), or developing an innovative process you likely qualify for the program. In addition to that, we require that you are a resident of Canada. You do not need to be a citizen or permanent resident, but you do need to be living in Canada since the Founders Program is largely government funded. We prioritize applications from Manitoba, but occasionally work with founders outside of the province if they want to eventually expand.Please not that just because you meet these requirements doesn’t mean you will be automatically accepted. We pick the top applications from each intake based on the space available.

Pathfinder In this 10-week course, there is online work to do each week that founders complete on their own before our class. Then we meet once a week on Zoom for 2 hours. We expect that you attend most of the classes, but we understand that founders have other priorities to juggle, so we also record each class. Founders in Pathfinder also have access to a mentor they can meet with in addition to the class time and online learning. Base Camp In this 11-week course, there is online work to do each week that founders complete on their own before our class. Then we meet once a week on Zoom for 2 hours. We expect that you attend most of the classes, but we understand that founders have other priorities to juggle, so we also record each class. Founders in Base Camp also have access to a mentor they can meet with in addition to the class time and online learning. Ascent This program is for founders that are starting to gain traction. They are assigned to Entrepreneurs-in-Residence that they can meet with monthly. The goal is to help teams access expert advice that they need to develop stronger strategies, troubleshoot challenges, and move their business forward. There are no mandatory classes in this program, and the advising each team receives is specific to their needs and milestones. North StarThis is the stage that our Ascent alumni enter. There are no direct applications for this program. Founders in this program can access all of the same resources, but we don’t expect them to meet with an EIR each month.

The Founders Program is delivered at no cost to the founders.

We do not provide funding to startups through the Founders Program. As startups progress, we work with them on their fundraising strategy, but we do not disburse funds. The ElevateIP program provides funding specifically for intellectual property strategy development and deployment.

When you apply, our program team will assess which stage you are the best fit for based on your current stage. This is a general overview of what we look for in each stage: Pathfinder: If you have not conducted sufficient validation with your target customer, we will place you in this stage. Even if you built the first version of your product, if you haven’t done customer interviews or testing, we will place you in Pathfinder. Base Camp: This is for teams that have done validation with their target customers, but have not solidified or pressure tested their business model and financial plan.Ascent: this stage is for teams that have deployed a product and are either signing on their first customers or about to launch. You need to show strong market validation and indicators of early traction to advance to this stage.

No! We can accept anyone who is a resident of Canada (in other words folks on work and study permits are welcome to join).

We expect founders to dedicate 8-10 hours per week to Pathfinder and Base Camp course work. This includes the 2-hour Zoom classes each week. In Ascent and North Star, founders are typically working on their business full time. As part of that, we encourage every founder to meet with their EIR twice a month for approximately 2 hours total.

Please look at our current Ascent startups and Alumni on the website here.