RBC EPIC Founders

• You are available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm starting May 16 to August 9, 2022, for in-person and virtual activities.
• You are a current student or recent graduate within the last 7 years (post 2015) from any Canadian post-secondary institution
• Your startup/ new venture has a unique value proposition dedicated to solving a compelling problem
• You have or anticipate working towards an initial mock-up of your product/solution in the near future
• The business (or proposed business) must be structured as a for-profit enterprise
• You agree to University of Windsor’s COVID-19 Return to Campus policies

*Please note, this program requires full-time commitment (40 hours a week starting May 16, 2022). This program is not suited for those who have other full-time commitments. Students taking summer courses (1-2 MAX) may be permitted to apply; please reach out to the Program Coordinator for more details: Sydney.Thompson@uwindsor.ca

RBC EPIC Founders follows the Business Model Canvas and Lean Startup approach, a step-by-step business development method created by serial entrepreneurs Alex Osterwalder, Eric Ries, and Steve Blank. Teams will be directed to “test” their ideas/assumptions by getting out of the building and talking to potential customers. The program will be augmented with guest speakers, subject matter experts, and mentors as teams attempt to validate their value proposition and business models. The program will culminate on Final Pitch Day, giving participants the opportunity to pitch their idea and prototype to a panel of judges for a chance to win additional cash prizes valued at $4,500.

Throughout the 12-week program, participants will learn key skills, competencies, and know-how on topics such as:

• In-depth problem-solution fit training
• In-depth customer discovery training
• Intellectual property fundamentals
• Product development and design strategy
• Lean startup methodology and iterative prototyping strategies

Startups selected for this program will:

• Be eligible for up to $6,000 in stipends
• Access to EPICentre’s co-working space
• Have access to dynamic expert advisors, mentors, and coaches
• Attend exclusive in-person and virtual events with distinguished guest speakers
• Pitch their business idea on Final Pitch Day for a chance to win an additional cash prize of $4,500
• Connect with EPICentre’s network of entrepreneurs and community members

Students enrolled in Co-operative Education Program at the University of Windsor may also be eligible to use this program as their summer co-op term. In order for this program to be considered as your summer co-op term, please confirm eligibility with the co-op office in advance by emailing the Program Co-ordinators.

Applications are now closed, thank you for your interest in the RBC Founders Program!

• Formal applications open: Monday, April 4, 2022
• Formal application deadline: Monday, April 25, 2022 @ 4:00 pm
• Program start date: Monday, May 16, 2022
• Program end date & final pitch competition: Tuesday, August 9, 2022

If accepted into the program, all participants must be available from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm starting May 16 to August 9, 2022, for in-person and virtual activities. All applicants must agree to University of Windsor’s COVID-19 Return to Campus policies

*Please note, this program requires full-time commitment (40 hours a week starting May 16, 2022). This program is not suited for those who have other full-time commitments. Students taking summer courses (1-2 MAX) may be permitted to apply; please reach out to the Program Coordinator for more details: Sydney.Thompson@uwindsor.ca