EPIC VentureWomen

• You identify as a woman and are the founder or co-founder of a startup/ new venture
• You are close to launching your business and can demonstrate your business launch strategy based on primary and secondary research
• You have launched your business within two years or less (post 2020)
• The business is or will be structured as a for-profit business
• The business is or will be based in located in Windsor-Essex

Participation commitment

• All applicants must be available every Thursday starting Thursday, May 26, 2022, until Thursday, September 8, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm for in-person and virtual activities
• You agree to the University of Windsor’s COVID-19 Return to Campus policies

Applicants are not required to have a registered business to apply. Applicants may be early stage as long as they can demonstrate they have done a reasonable amount of research and business planning and are close to launching the business. This can include but is not limited to, conducting market research, writing a business plan, and/ or getting feedback from experts or business advisors. Applicants who have a registered business post-2020 are not eligible to apply. For further inquiries, please reach out to the Program Coordinator: Sydney.Thompson@uwindsor.ca

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:

• Mentorship and Advisory services
• Exclusive access to private events with distinguished guest speakers
• Connection with EPICentre’s network of entrepreneurs and community members

Participants 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 cash prizes totaling $4,000: $3,000 Top Pitch Award sponsored by Lucas Imagine Fund, and $1,000 She Inspires Award sponsored by Logic Executive Search and Workplace Solutions
• 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

Application is closed for 2022.

Formal applications open: Monday, April 18, 2022

• Formal application deadline: Friday, May 6, 2022, @ 5:00 pm
• Program start date: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
• Program end date & final pitch competition: Thursday, September 8, 2022

If accepted into the program, all participants must be available for:

• Program orientation (in-person): Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
• Weekly group meetings (in-person & virtual): every Thursday starting Thursday, May 26, 2022, until Thursday, September 8, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• Final pitch day: Thursday, September 8, 2022