All you need is an Idea - we’ll help you do the rest!
A free program designed to make climate tech entrepreneurship more accessible to underrepresented founders and help new innovators bring their sustainable ideas to life.
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70% woman-owned
80% success rate 6 months post-launch
40% youth-owned
Program Details
Women, youth, and historically marginalized people are continuously left out of the climate transition economy due to cultural, economic, and social barriers within the startup community. The result: climate “solutions” that ignore intersectionality and leave out the biggest stakeholders, the communities most affected. Everyone is needed for climate solutions that actually work in practice.
This program gets participants from an idea to standing up a pilot of their project. The proof of concept starts their momentum and yields critical learnings.
Program Support
Business Development & Sales Training: You’ll work with Impact Zero staff to refine your business idea, talk to potential customers, and build a stronger product-market fit
Dedicated Project Manager: You’ll have weekly one-on-ones with your dedicated project manager to hold you accountable to the project plan.
Peer Support: We meet monthly to keep tabs on our work as a group. We'll be learning a lot and our collective learnings will inform each others’ work. Even if we’re all working in different industries, diversity is our strength!
Marketing: Impact Zero will promote your project, direct customers your way, and be a partner in bringing your project to life. We have a significant network of individuals across industries who are ready to support you!
Funding: Potential funding opportunities with VCs, angels, and other investors relevant to your work.
Eligibility Requirements
You don’t need to be a serial entrepreneur or pitching expert to join this program. We are looking for everyday people who care, value exploration, and want to contribute to the circular economy and community resiliency for years to come.
Our ideal candidate:
Has an idea that moves your business towards a circular model or one that will serve, reach, or impact the York Region.
At least one founder-level participant can dedicate at least 15 hours per week to the project for the length of the program.
Must be a pre-revenue or have less than $250,000 in annual revenue.
Must be able to attend an in-person kick off event and workshop if accepted.
Impact Zero will not take any ownership of your project, business or intellectual property!
Our goal is to help you build out your dreams, not steal them from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get access to funding during this program?
We’ll do our best to help you! We connect you with grant-making agencies, VCs, angels, and other funders relevant to your work.
Can my co-founder join too?
Absolutely! We have experience navigating the complex co-founder relationship with our accelerator participants.
How much does the program cost?
It’s completely free! We don’t take equity in your business or charge fees to participate in our programs. This is thanks to our incredible sponsors!