Scale-Up Support for Businesses

Companies that have been in business for several years, have over $1 million in sales, have seen sustained periods of rapid growth and expect to continue to grow quickly, are often referred to as being in the scale-up phase.

Below are some resources to help companies to scale-up: 

IgniteUP - York University

• IgniteUP program supports entrepreneurs at all stages, including scale ups, with mentors.
• Areas of support include: validating ideas, defining business strategy, product launch/go-to market strategy, Implementing/Prototyping, Marketing and Branding, Sales and Business Development, Hiring/Human resources, connecting with industry/academia/government partners, financial management, fund raising etc. (This programs works in conjunction with ventureLAB and YEDI.)
• For more information on this program contact Mr. Nilay Goyal, Entrepreneurship Manager, goyal.n@yorku.ca 416-736-2100 x20595

Innovation York

• Innovation York helps companies at all stages (but particularly scale up companies) to move their product roadmaps forward and solve (primarily) technical issues through collaborative research partnerships with researchers at York U.
• Companies can access programming, workshops, and connections to researchers (and their associated funding).
• For information on Innovation York contact Cheryl Giblon, Industry Engagement Manager, cgiblon@yorku.ca 416-736-2100 x55753.

Lazaridis Scale Up Program at the Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises

• The Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises has a national mandate to help the next generation of Canadian technology companies scale into global leaders.
• This program focuses on tech firms with the potential for exponential growth. Companies must be headquartered in Canada, and have over one million dollars in recurring revenue. Only 10 companies are chosen each year to participate.
• Companies are chosen through a competitive process, with a July 31 deadline for applications.
• Participants meet two days per month (from a Thursday night reception, to training all day on Friday and Saturday) for six months in cities across Canada, with two stops in Silicon Valley. Each session includes lectures, seminars, and activities delivered by US and Canadian experts. The program also includes 10 hours of mentorship per month with a series of experts (to a maximum of 120 hours over the course of the program).
• Those interested in the program can apply online.
• For more information on the program, contact Conor McCargar, Program Coordinator at cmccargar@wlu.ca 519-884-0710 x3060.

Ontario Scale Up Vouchers

• Canada’s fastest-growing firms were responsible for 45% of net job creation, despite comprising only 4% of businesses. To help these companies scale into globally competitive firms, Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Growth created the Ontario Scale-Up Vouchers Program.
• Technology companies eligible for this program must have 20 or more employees and have revenues between $5 - $50 million.
• This is a competitive process with only a few selected companies being awarded a voucher.
• The program aims to accelerate the growth rate of high-potential Ontario technology- and innovation-based firms into globally competitive firms that drive disproportionate growth in revenue, exports and employment.
  • The program supports firms in two ways:
  • Growth Coaches—a network of growth coaches with proven functional or sector expertise scaling companies for global growth. Growth coaches will mentor firms by leading a co-creation process to develop “growth plans.” They will introduce firms to valuable networks and guide firms through a voucher application process.
  • Vouchers—Firms can offset up to $1 million in costs in for eligible (direct and indirect) expenses that are relevant to helping firms scale globally by increasing sales, securing and nurturing talent, developing intellectual property and accessing capital. A selection committee comprising industry leaders will award voucher based on pre-defined voucher selection criteria.
• Companies must work with MaRs, Communitech or Invest Ottawa.
• For more information about the scale up vouchers, contact marsdiscoverydistrict@marsdd.com 416-673-8100.

Richmond Hill Centre for Business Development (RHCBD)

• The RHCBD provides assistance to foreign companies looking to set up offices in Richmond Hill in order to scale up (across Canada and internationally). Assistance includes, business development, marketing, sales, project management, strategic partnerships, distribution channels, accounting, finance, human resource sourcing etc.
• Local companies interested in connecting to or doing business with these foreign companies are encouraged to contact Sam Carmon, Managing Director at scarmon@cbdinc.biz 416-357-7794.

ventureLAB

• Venture Services Program focuses on the company ready to scale-up.
• Tech companies with recurring revenue of $1 million or more in sales per year, and an ability to get to 25 million in 5 years, qualify for this program.
• Companies register, attend the intro session, meet one on one with an advisor then participate in the appropriate program.
• The program includes assistance in developing a business model, sales training, obtaining capital (assistance to conduct due diligence, create and sharpen the pitch, introduction to venture capitalists etc.) and sourcing talent. 
• For more information about Venture Services Program contact Jeremy O’Krafka at jokrafka@venturelab.ca or by phone at 647-218-2427.