Right Size at the Right Time

Planning for Growth

Accepting Applications

4 Live Virtual Sessions Run Tuesdays @ 12PM EST

Program runs September 17th, 2024 - October 15th 2024 (No class September 24th)

Who

You have an idea and are either in the early stages of starting your business or actively seeking strategies to grow and sustain your ventures.
You are looking for community and planning tools to create a solid foundation for your business.

Eligibility 

You can apply for this program as a diverse self-identified woman or non-binary entrepreneur. This includes but is not limited to, women with disabilities; Indigenous women; women in rural or remote regions; recent immigrants; visible minority women; women who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals; and women from Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs). Ideally, you are (co-)founder, or (co-)owner leading a business in Canada or are a key decision maker within the business.

What to expect 

This 5-week program will guide you through strategic growth planning, helping you align opportunities with your business’s capacity and goals. You’ll participate in four live virtual sessions (2 hours each) within a community of women entrepreneurs, supported by office hours and advisory sessions with experienced coaches.

A self-directed accountability group will allow you to apply key concepts, collaborate with peers, and share your progress with the larger group. The program will equip you to assess your growth needs, manage resources, and plan effectively for the future.

Language: Delivered in English with French captions and materials available upon request.

You’ll also gain access to Start Now Incubator activities, including virtual connector events and in-person networking opportunities.

What you will learn 

  • This week, we will explore your business model by revisiting the key components of the Business Model Canvas. We’ll examine the typical entrepreneurial journey—what it looks like, what challenges you may encounter, and how to navigate them.

  • A deep dive into product-market fit. Does your product align with customer needs and desires? You’ll learn techniques for validating your product idea and ensuring it addresses real market demand.

  • Every startup needs systems in place to function efficiently. This session focuses on identifying and setting up the essential systems and processes your business needs to scale and grow smoothly.

  • We’ll explore the resources—financial, human, and operational—you need to develop and secure as you grow. We’ll also examine how to integrate these resources into your broader strategy to ensure sustainable growth.

    In Week 5, we’ll pull all the pieces together, looking at how every element—from systems to product fit to resources—plays a role in the larger picture of your business. We’ll also examine your numbers, helping you understand the financial impact of your growth decisions and ensuring your business is ready to scale.