NOTICE: Applications are now Open until Monday, December 15th at 11:59pm.
IDEA Step-Up Program
This 6-month program supports innovative and inclusive companies to grow and overcome barriers. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars that address common challenges faced by the C-suite of scaling companies, connect with experienced mentors, speakers, and peers, and present to investors, industry partners and City of Mississauga representatives to get started towards your next round of funding, scaling, or partnership.
With a focus on sustainability, and inclusivity you will receive a tailored program to help you grow your company while simultaneously contributing to social and environmental change. If you are working on an innovative solution that can change the world, get it done in Mississauga with the IDEA Step-Up Program.
ELIGIBLILITY
- Located in Mississauga or wish to locate to Mississauga.
- Approximately earning between $100k and $2 million in yearly revenue, have patented innovations, or raised pre-seed capital.
- Planning, creating, or growing innovations in Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, or Technology
Please note that priority will be given to businesses owned or led by individuals from underrepresented communities such as women, Black entrepreneurs, Indigenous entrepreneurs, members of racialized communities, youth, members of the LGBTQ2 community, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and members of official language minority communities.
WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS OF THIS PROGRAM RECEIVE?
- C-Suite Training Sessions:
Panels, discussions, and workshops that address common obstacles you may experience while scaling your company. See the program schedule for details. Accounting, Legal, and IP Consultations with MNP, KMB Law, and Smart & Biggar respectively (upon request) - Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) (Entrepreneurs-in-Residence matching with Altitude Accelerator/ IDEA Mississauga):
Connects with seasoned EIRs who provide expert support tailored to growth challenges. EIRs help companies refine their scaling strategies, and optimize operational processes. - Investor Readiness:
Curated introductions to angel investors and investment groups, enhancing networking and funding opportunities. Participants receive comprehensive support in fundraising, including pitch development, and financial projections. Tailored feedback on fundraising strategies and direct insights from investors help identify and address areas for improvement. - Resources:
Up to $100,000 in business resources, support and perks to help scale your ventures. View the resources tab to learn more.
- Mentorship: IDEA business advisors and guests from learning sessions will be available for you to speak with for mentorship.
- Sector-Specific Introductions in ICT, Life Sciences, and Advanced Manufacturing (if applicable)
- City of Mississauga Introductions (if applicable)
- Pitch and Showcase: Opportunity to put your best foot forward in front of investors, potential corporate partners, and City of Mississauga representatives.
Access up to $100,000 in business resources, support and perks to help scale your ventures:
- IDEA Square One Start ID Membership for duration of the program ($750): Coworking space at IDEA Square One will be made available to you between January 2025 to June 2025. Access to IDEA Mississauga Events, such as the Launch & Learn Sessions, events etc.
- MBOT Memberships ($600): In collaboration with the Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT), a one-year membership will be available to participants at the discretion of MBOT. Yearly memberships valued at $600 provide unique benefits such as 1) networking with over 1500 businesses, professions, and entrepreneurs, 2) advertising in a quarterly magazine, annual business directory, the website and e-bulletins, 3) advocacy at all levels of government, and many more. Funding (please note that all funding is competitive and not guaranteed to any or all program participants)
- CIM Expense Coverage (up to $5000): The Centre for Intelligence Manufacturing (CIM) (Formerly call Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies -CAMDT) at Sheridan College links companies of all sizes to Sheridan’s advanced manufacturing expertise and equipment and allows them to explore these tools with the help of Sheridan faculty and students. Conduct an applied research project to optimize your technology or processes for scaling your company. As a participant of the Step-up Program, you will be eligible to compete for up to $5000 to cover expenses required to conduct an applied research project with CIM. To express your interest please visit CIM’s website for more information, indicate your interest in competing for this opportunity in your program application form and submit the CIM Expense Coverage Supplementary Application Form.
- Expense Coverage Grants (up to $10,000): This funding offers growing companies an opportunity to accelerate their growth through covering expenses such as hiring, registering intellectual property, conducting applied research, or other operational expenses. Applicants to this funding opportunity will be assessed for their company’s development and market opportunity, and the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of their budget and financial plans.
- Pitch Prizes (up to $3,000): Additional cash funding will be provided via the Pitch & Showcase at the end of the program. Investors, industry partners and City of Mississauga representatives.
- Altitude Accelerator Incubator Program Subsidy ($700): Participate in Altitude Accelerator’s Incubator Program to build your sales & marketing strategy and plan with 1:1 coaching from industry executives. Featuring Guest Speakers on special topics including (if applicable, limited time offer)
- and Many More
INFORMATION SESSION
Curious about the IDEA Step-Up Program? Come join us at one of our Information Sessions where you can learn all about this exciting opportunity. Whether you’re scaling your business or expanding your business to new markets this program will get help reach your goals. We offer two options for your convenience. Please click the session that most applies to you below:
- OPTION A: In-Person Information Session
- October 17, 2024 – Register Now
- OPTION B: Virtual Information Session
- November 19, 2024 – Register Now
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Panels, discussions, and workshops that address common obstacles you may experience while scaling your company. See the program schedule for details. Accounting, Legal, and IP Consultations with MNP, KMB Law, and Smart & Biggar respectively (upon request)
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence matching with Altitude Accelerator/ IDEA Mississauga: Connects with seasoned EIRs who provide expert support tailored to growth challenges. EIRs help companies refine their scaling strategies, and optimize operational processes.
Curated introductions to angel investors and investment groups, enhancing networking and funding opportunities. Participants receive comprehensive support in fundraising, including pitch development, and financial projections. Tailored feedback on fundraising strategies and direct insights from investors help identify and address areas for improvement.
Up to $100,000 in business resources, support and perks to help scale your ventures. View the list of key resources below:
- IDEA Square One Start ID Membership for duration of the program ($750)
- MBOT Memberships ($600)
- CIM Expense Coverage (up to $5000):
- Expense Coverage Grants (up to $10,000)
- Pitch Prizes (up to $3,000):
- Altitude Accelerator Incubator Program Subsidy ($700)
- and many more
FIND OUT WHAT PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY
HDAX Therapeutics
Nabanita Nawar, Co-founder and CEO of HDAX
HDAX Therapeutics was an IDEA Step-Up Program participant who recently received a $500,000 grant from the Province. The Ontario government announced $5.5 million to help 11 companies in the life sciences sector develop and launch made-in-Ontario health care technologies and innovations. A company that started at the University of Toronto Mississauga, HDAX Therapeutics, grew and developed by participating in the IDEA Step-Up Program. HDAX Therapeutics is a drug discovery startup developing targeted therapeutics to tackle unmet healthcare needs in brain cancers and CNS disorders.
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Xiera Technologies
Abraham Janabi, General Manager
Being involved with the Scale-Up Program has been great for us,” Abraham said. “There was so much to be gained in listening to panels of tech experts and business experts. The help we received in preparing and refining our pitch to make it understandable to the average person using factual information that is relevant to them was invaluable.”
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TheLeanSuite
Angad Singh and Prabhaul Singh, Co-Founders
Our involvement with the Scale-Up Program (now Step-Up Program) has been pretty amazing on all fronts,” Angad said. “I’ve had a previous startup, but there are still a lot of things that I learned from participating in the program, especially about sales and marketing because they presented us with a step-by-step method for how to approach both aspects of business. We know who we need to hire to help us grow and what kind of investors we want to onboard to do it with!”.
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PEOPLE YOU'LL MEET
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
We have identified and answered the most commonly asked questions about this topic:
Mississauga is home to a diverse range of major industries, including Advanced Manufacturing, Financial Services, ICT (Information & Communications Technology), Life Sciences, and Smart Logistics. The Step-up to Scale-up Program prioritizes Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, and ICT to provide tailored support from our Economic Development Office experts in these fields as your company grows.
Inclusive growth means expanding your business while considering and addressing the needs of all community members. Historically, not everyone has had equal opportunities, leading to ongoing barriers. Inclusive growth involves making business decisions—like hiring, communication, and supply chain choices—that actively work to overcome these barriers and ensure everyone benefits from growth.
Historically, some groups have faced more challenges accessing opportunities. We prioritize businesses led by underrepresented groups—such as women, Black entrepreneurs, Indigenous entrepreneurs, racialized communities, youth, LGBTQ2+ community members, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and official language minority communities—to help reduce these systemic barriers and promote a more inclusive economy.
While systemic barriers affect underrepresented groups, addressing these issues requires everyone’s involvement. By including all businesses, we aim to reflect Mississauga’s diversity and engage everyone in fostering inclusivity as we grow together.
Each training session lasts 1.5 hours, with 30 minutes for panel discussions and 1 hour for networking in-person sessions will be more informal. Attendance is expected to accommodate various schedules and provide ample learning and networking opportunities.
Follow these steps to apply:
- Review and confirm program eligibility
- Attend an optional information session to learn more about the program
- Ensure to gather all the required information before you apply
- Submit a complete application
- Completed applications must be submitted by December 15th, 2024, at 11:59 PM.
- Applicants moving forward to the interview stage will be notified on December 20th, 2024.
- Interviews with selection committee on January 8th, 9th, & 10th , 2025.
- Confirmation of program acceptance on January 13th, 2025.
The Expense Coverage Fund can cover various business-related costs, including employee salaries, inventory purchases, equipment or supply costs, marketing, conference fees, legal fees, and more.
PROVIDER
IDEA Mississauga
IDEA Mississauga is a central source for small business information, resources and guidance. Whether entrepreneurs are starting, growing or scaling a small business, IDEA Mississauga can help. Contact us if you have any questions.
Notes * all opportunities listed above are offered and dispersed at the discretion of the City of Mississauga in collaboration with the corresponding benefit/service provider. Opportunities are not guaranteed to any participants and the City of Mississauga reserves the right to discontinue, reject, or delay any of the opportunities listed below without prior notice to participants.