Launching Innovative Startups To Address Major Global Challenges
In partnership with
Dedicated to launching innovative solutions for sustainability, the Weston Family Entrepreneurial Innovation & Sustainability program will accompany startups through the ideation, validation and early launch stages of their venture.
Comprised of a customized Lean Startup program and a startup competition, the program will build on the latest thinking on sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation, to support teams in launching purpose driven startups.
Upon completion of the Weston Entrepreneurial Innovation & Sustainability Program, participating teams will be welcomed into the Dobson X-1 Accelerator, the Mentorship Circle, and take part in the International Pre-Seed Funding Program.
“Combined with our existing programs, the Weston Family Entrepreneurial Innovation & Sustainability Program expands the realm of possibility for our entrepreneurs, particularly those with a strong focus on creating sustainability-driven business models.”
Marie Josée Lamothe
Director, Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship
Program Overview
Part 1: The Weston Family Innovation in Sustainability Lean Startup Program
Duration: 5 weeks | Stage: Ideation
Dates: March 6 to April 5, 2023
Times: (MW) 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Key Learnings
- Why some startups fail, and others succeed: stages, pitfalls and best-practices
- Understanding your market and what matters to customers
- Developing and validating your proof of concept
- Articulating your value proposition
- Managing and protecting your Intellectual Property (IP)
- Funding an innovative venture & defining KPIs
- Iterating your business model and drafting a business plan
Format
- Weekly workshops: Delivered by seasoned entrepreneurs and sustainability business experts, these sessions introduce strategic frameworks and concepts that guide the process of shaping and developing viable startup ideas, while bridging theory with real-world application through stories, examples and insights from guest speakers.
- Action learning: Throughout the program, participants work on achieving milestones related to their startup idea and iteration of their business plan. This process is a crucial component of the program and will ultimately lead to the development of a viable startup concept.
- Coaching sessions: At regular intervals throughout the program, participants benefit from one-on-one coaching sessions to review their progress and the development of their business plan.
Part 2: The Weston Family Sustainability Startup Challenge
Duration: 7 weeks | Stage: Validation
Dates: April 26 to June 5, 2023
Key Learnings
- Creating and delivering an effective pitch
- Crafting your marketing strategy
- Establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Understanding challenges in sustainable design
- Designing your roadmap for the future
Format
- Startup Pitch Competition: A pitch competition comprising two rounds, followed by an Awards Ceremony.
- Weekly workshops: Delivered by business experts, these sessions walk participants through creation and delivery of all the elements that go into a winning pitch presentation.
- Coaching sessions: At regular intervals throughout the program, participants benefit from one-on-one coaching sessions to review their progress and the development of presentation.
Awards
Startup compete for pre-seed funding:
- 1st Prize: $25,000
- 2nd Prize: $15,000
- 3rd Prize: $10,000
Program Outlines
Part 1: The Weston Family Innovation in Sustainability Lean Startup Program
| week | Learning themes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Why some startups fail, and others succeed
|
Focus on Innovations in Sustainability
|
| 2 |
Understanding your market and creating a market outreach strategy
|
Developing and validating a proof of concept
|
| 3 |
Defining your value proposition
|
Designing for sustainability
|
| 4 |
Managing your Intellectual Property (IP) & other legal aspects
|
Funding your startup & measuring its growth
|
| 5 |
Building a business plan
|
Crafting and articulating your vision to stakeholders
|
Post Program
One-on-one coaching sessions with subject matter experts
- Reviewing your business plan and roadmap for the future
Part 2: The Family Weston Sustainability Startup Challenge
| week | Key Learnings |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Introduction
|
| 2 |
Creating an effective pitch and storytelling for audience engagement
|
| 3 |
Pitch Practice Session |
| 4 |
Market research and positioning
|
| 5 |
Finance for startups: KPIs and revenue models
|
| 6 |
Challenges in Sustainability Design
|
| 7 |
Environment Day Startup Challenge
|
Program Application
Ideal participant profile
-
Your team has at least one founder who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
-
Your team has at least one McGill affiliated co-founder e.g., student, faculty, staff or alumni.
-
You are working working on a prototype or/and have a functional business, developing a business plan, and preparing to launch your startup.
-
Your team has at least one technical co-founder, and can build your business upon a technology, science, or idea that is significantly or radically disruptive.
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Your innovative solution addresses one of several major global environmental challenges in the fields of clean tech, nature conservation, agricultural science, renewable energy, transportation, waste management, food production, consumer goods, retail, packaging, or other multidisciplinary fields that are working to reduce the negative impact or increase positive effects on the environment.
-
Your team will be asked to demonstrate how their proposed startup aligns with the Weston Family Foundation’s mission of improving the well-being of Canadians.
-
Your team is composed of multi-disciplinary professionals (including learners or graduates).
-
You can commit to attending all the workshops and executing the project work (required to maintain your participation in the program)
If you have any questions regarding your interest in only one of the two parts, please contact dobson.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca.
How to apply
Next cohort: TBC
Register here to be notified when the program applications open.
Next Steps
Following completion of the Weston Family Innovation in Sustainability Lean Startup program, participants are encouraged to apply to the X-1 Accelerator and Mentorship Circle.
Have questions about the program? Email us at dobson.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca for more information
