The Discovery Foundation’s Capital Connect Program
Empowering BC-based founders to navigate funding pathways with confidence
Capital Connect helps BC-based tech and tech-enabled founders—with emphasis on equity-deserving groups—access diverse funding sources through:
Personalized 1:1 Startup Business Advising
Community-driven Capital Conversations
Connections with experienced advisors and ecosystem leaders
Running May-November 2025, this program builds both strategic knowledge and practical skills while capturing insights to strengthen our collective ecosystem.
The Program Journey
Launch: May 2025
CapCons Series: Monthly (June-November)
Business Advising: Available throughout the program
This program might be perfect for you if you are a tech or tech-enabled business incorporated in BC and identify with historically underrepresented and equity-deserving groups*
“Both the Startup Business Advising and Founder Cafés have been quite useful in helping me achieve my business goals faster and gain tangible outcomes in the operation of my business.”
— Dr. Tolu Adeleye (Wholesome Career Living)
Be paired with founder-friendly advisors whose expertise aligns with your specific needs and address your unique business challenges with actionable solutions.
Capital Connect Advisors provide strategic guidance on:
Pitch Narrative and Design
Data Room and/or Due Diligence Prep
Financial Modeling
Go-to-Market and Sales Channels
Business Growth and Scaling
Funding Strategy
1:1 Startup Business Advising
Capital Conversations (women-centred)
Join us for a candid community dialogue about the challenges and nuances of building strategic funding pathways in today's context.
This isn't another webinar or workshop. Our goal is to gather community to share current research, founder stories, and key resources, while exploring and ideating on creative solutions together.
Hear from founders who've successfully bridged their funding gaps
Learn from domain specialists, ecosystem actors, and thought leaders on funding topics relevant to
Gather in a safe space where insights flow freely between all ecosystem actors and create connections that foster ongoing knowledge-sharing
We want to hear from you! Whether you’re in observation mode or have resources, questions, and stories to contribute, our goal is to design a comfortable space for you to speak up and share with the community.
Is this program for me?
Is this program for me?
Capital Connect might be perfect for you if…
You are a tech or tech-enabled business incorporated in BC
You lead a pre-seed through early Series A company (a.k.a. you sit somewhere between initial validation/MVP and break even)
You're actively preparing for significant growth milestones and seeking to develop strategic funding pathways
You identify with historically underrepresented and equity-deserving groups*
This program is well suited for founders who are either planning/preparing to raise and/or would like to explore alternative funding solutions.
*“Equity-deserving groups” is defined, by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, as “Groups of people who have been historically disadvantaged and under-represented. These groups include but are not limited to the four designated groups in Canada – women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities – and people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, people with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.” (see Glossary of Terms)
In line with our program goals and company mission, will prioritise founders/founding teams that identify within these groups.
How to Apply?
Simply, complete the forms above to get started
Spots are limited for both components. We will be capping our virtual CapCons at 25 participants as we are committed to capturing lessons learned throughout the program and sharing these back to the community, in an effort to build our collective knowledge and connectivity.
We’ll review applications on a rolling basis and contact you within one week to discuss next steps. Apply early to secure your participation!
Why Capital Connect?
The Funding Gap
𑇐
The Funding Gap 𑇐
Research from the Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada reveals a critical challenge facing women entrepreneurs: limited access to diverse funding pathways. Women typically access only two funding sources, predominantly high-risk options like personal savings (70%) and credit cards (50%).
This funding approach not only constrains growth potential but significantly increases personal and business risk. The Capital Connect Program was designed as a direct response to this evidence, aiming to help underrepresented and equity-deserving groups develop strategic funding approaches while strengthening the overall BC’s ecosystem.
Our ongoing collaboration with Discovery Foundation has enabled us to support over 230 startups across BC since 2021, and we're always looking to expand our network of partners to strengthen innovation ecosystems for a better tomorrow.
There are multiple ways to partner with us through this program:
Nonprofits (or running not-for-profit programming): Access dedicated advising hours for your community (e.g., to prepare them for an upcoming pitch competition or investor forum)
Community Partners: Join our cross-promotion network to amplify complementary programs and events, creating more streamlined pathways for entrepreneurs
Corporate Partners & Sponsors: Support the CapCons series through sponsorships or contribute your expertise to our knowledge-sharing initiative.
Reach out at melanie@VolitionAdvisors.com to discuss any of these opportunities.
The Discovery Foundation is a registered charity whose mandate is to promote and facilitate commercial innovation and the development, growth, and sustainability of the science and technology sector in British Columbia. The Foundation, through the Technology Education Program (TEP), provides funds to qualified Agents to deliver high-impact educational programs and training across British Columbia.
