FoundHers - Startup Montréal

FoundHers

Information Program Eligibility FAQ Mission

Are you a woman interested in creating your business but doesn’t know where to start? Join FoundHers!
Our mission is to give you all the keys to make your project a reality and prove to you that YES, you have what it takes to succeed!

A team of coaches, entrepreneurs, experts and partners to support you!

Practical information

For whom?

Women or non-binary persons who already have a business idea and who want to bring it to life. You are determined to create some impact and contribute to changing our society.

Program format

- Virtual with a few in person activities
- Pre-acceleration program divided in two courses (Boost then Lift, by selection)

Date of the next call for applications

- Boost course : from January 31st to March 3rd, 2023
- Lift course : from March 17th to June 2nd, 2023

Service Language

Mainly in French but a few workshops are in English

Rate

- Boost course: $100
- Lift Course: $150

Call for applications closed.

From idea to action!

The FoundHers program is divided in two courses (Boost and Lift) to make your entrepreneurial dream a reality.

Boost course This course is for a 20 women cohort with a business idea. Validate your idea and start prototyping.

Lift course This course is for a 10 women cohort who validated their business ideas thanks to the Boost course. Define your business model and get closer to the commercialization.

FAQ

The Boost course

From January 31st to March 3rd, 2023 every Tuesday from 5:30 – 8:30 pm and every Friday from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm.

You will be a cohort of 20 women who have been selected after the application process.

Group workshops with experts, 1:1 coaching sessions with a personal headcoach, peer to peer sessions and access to an entrepreneur network with more than 1000 people.

Topics covered:

Deepen your Why
Work on your value proposition
Start developing your first prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Prepare your landing page
Understand your market and your customers
Develop your startup and financial language
Leave with a toolbox

How do you choose the participants of the Boost course?

Projects in the ideation phase and/or at the very beginning of market validation
Participants who want to learn and grow, motivated and ready to commit to the program
Project ideas with an impact on society and/or environment
Intention to launch the business project in Montreal

The Lift course

From March 17th to June 2nd, 2023 every Friday from 8:45 am to 1:30 pm.
10 women cohort selected from the Boost course.
Workshops, 1:1 coachings, peer to peer sessions.

Topics covered:

Test and adjust the development of your first PROTOTYPE OR minimum viable product (MVP) with potential customers
Confirm your assumptions
Define your business model
Learn the art of pitching and practice in front of a caring jury
Demystify financial forecasting and fundraising
Develop the premises of a marketing strategy
Structure your enterprise project

How do you choose the participants of the Lift course?

10 participants of the Boost cohort will be selected to pursue the FoundHers program.

We select the projects that stood out for their accomplishments in the Boost course in the business field and personal field (learnings, path taken, demonstrated leadership).

PRIZE TO WIN

At the end of the Lift course, one finalist will earn a $5000 grant to help her pursue her business + 6 months of personal coaching from high level experts.

Eligibility criteria

For the Boots course :

Profile : A woman or non-binary person, aged 18 and over (no age limit)
Status: Canadian citizen, permanent resident or hold a CSQ
Ideation stage:
- You are in the infancy of an idea or a business project. You have not yet taken serious steps to validate its feasibility
- OR you are at the very beginning of your market validation steps
Montreal: Living in Greater Montreal and wanting to start your business in Montreal
Commitment: Be available on the dates of the course and be motivated
Questions? If you are not sure of your eligibility, do not remain alone with your doubts, contact us to tell us about it! You can discuss it with the program manager, Josée Desjardins (josee@startupmontreal.com)

Exclusion criteria

Non-profit projects
Projects of a sexual, religious or political nature
Projects related to illicit or recreational drugs (projects related to therapeutic drugs are considered)
Bar projects
Student projects: internships and university projects
Projects whose main activities are outside the island of Montreal

Registration

Really easy!

Fill out the registration form, you are free to include a short video (3min maximum).

The video should answer the following questions: Why do you want to start your business? Why would you like to be part of the next FoundHers cohort? Explain to us your idea.

Call for applications closed.

Discover the current cohort

here

Our mission

Only 15% of the entrepreneurs in Montréal are women. Startup Montréal wants to change the statistics by supporting ambitious women in making their entrepreneurial dream a reality. The program is geared both to the development of human potential and the development of the idea into a business project.

This program is offered twice a year. For those who will not be able to apply to this cohort, see you at the next edition, at the end of summer 2023.

If you have any further questions, please write to us at josee@stratupmontreal.com.

Lead partner

In collaboration with

Services Partners: ACCLR, District 3, L’Esplanade, Evol, Futurpreneur, Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal, Le Wagon, LOJIQ, PME MTL.

A partnership has also been established with LOJIQ, Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec: a lump sum allowance of up to $850 per participant who meets the criteria of their program.

In addition to giving me the possibility of meeting experts from different disciplines, all of them highly relevant, the program allowed me to acquire the necessary competencies to create a business beyond a mere ambition. Thanks to the program, I was able to transform a bold concept into a viable startup.
Chloe Lussier, Lowbirth Games, Winner of the 2020 cohort

The program gave me the momentum I needed to launch the project! I started with a simple idea and the pathway gave me the strategy to put everything in motion, ask myself the right questions and lead up to a startup. All this while giving me access to a vast network of entrepreneurs and experts who were enthusiastic and ready to assist me.
Mona-Lisa Prosper, UPLFT, 2020 cohort

On Day 1, I submitted an idea I could barely put into words. By the end of the Boost course (Week 4), I had a value proposition and a network. Even though I wasn't in the Lift course. I used the calendar for my mini-objectives. Two months later, I had ended up developing a relevant business model that gave me access to an accelerator and several opportunities. My network grew on its own. All this thanks to the FoundHers program!
Sandra Timma, PayRelax, 2020 cohort