EPIC VentureWomen

• You identify as a woman and are the founder or co-founder of a startup/ new venture
• You can demonstrate some evidence of idea validation and have undertaken some primary and secondary market research
• Your startup/ new venture has a unique value proposition
• You have an initial mock-up of your product/ solution
• The business will (or is) based in Windsor-Essex
• The business is 2 years old or less (the business can be early stage, as long as you meet the criteria above)

The EPIC VentureWomen Program is specifically designed with special attention to the systemic barriers women face in entrepreneurship. Throughout the 4-month program, participants will learn key skills, competencies and know-how on topics such as:

• Leadership, teamwork and communication
• Sales strategy and lead generation
• Finance and accounting
• Business law and intellectual property law
• Product development and design strategy

Participants selected for this program can also expect:

• Exclusive access to private events with distinguished guest speakers
• Bi-weekly group meetings with the cohort
• Bi-weekly meetings with our EPIC Program Lead
• Regular meetings with industry experts
• Connection with EPICentre’s network of entrepreneurs and community members
• Tools and resources specific to your business

Please note: EPICentre is driven to help meet the needs of the program participants; therefore, all meeting dates and times will be determined by the availability of the program participants (this will be determined when the final candidates are selected). Program participants should expect to commit 15 hours a month for all program related activities. All activities will be hosted virtually for the duration of this program.

Startups and new ventures selected for this program will:

• Have the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges at the end of the program for a chance to win one of two $3,000 cash prizes, sponsored by Lucas Imagine Fund and Shibley Righton
• Have access to up to $2,500 in funding on eligible business expenses such as:
  • Marketing activities – website design and hosting, print marketing, digital marketing and business cards
  • Accounting services – bookkeeping, taxes, and technology adoption
  • Product Development – prototyping, 3D printing, program development, and other technical support services
  • Legal Services – incorporation registration, and assistance with intellectual property (trademarks, copyright, patents, etc.)
  • Other Support – additional qualifying expenses at the discretion of the program administration

Applications are currently closed! Thank you for your interest in the EPIC VentureWomen program.

Applications open: Tuesday, September 8th

Applications close: Thursday, September 24th

Final candidates selected by: Thursday, October 1st

Program Start Date & Orientation: Tuesday, October 13th, 2020

Final Pitch/ Program End Date: Thursday, February 4th, 2021