Helping BC’s tech startups to Rise and Thrive
The Discovery Foundation’s Rise and Thrive Startup Coaching Program
Brought to you by Volition
We are honoured to be an agent of The Discovery Foundation’s Technology Education Program for a third year to support tech and tech enabled startups across British Columbia. Throughout 2023, we will work with founders and their teams to help them build clarity, confidence, and momentum on their startup journey.
Whether you are interested in Startup Business Advising sessions tailored to your goals and needs, or are looking for a space to connect and learn with other entrepreneurs in your region, our 2023 program has you covered.
Whether you are building revenue and looking for guidance on your sales, marketing, or money model, or you are actively seeking capital and need help with your fundraising strategy or investor prep, our expert advisors are here to help.
Startups will be accepted on an ongoing basis based on availability and fit (i.e., must be based or have operations in B.C.); if you are accepted you will be offered up to 10 advising sessions, 100% subsidized through the program.
Click below to fill out an application form and take the first step in getting from where you are, to where you want to be in your business.
*Please note*
Due to high demand, the component of Startup Business Advising is currently oversubscribed. New applications are still being accepted, and will be reviewed and processed if and when a spot opens up and becomes available.
Startup Business Advising
Founder Cafés
New to the program this year, we’re launching Founder Cafés–a mix of in person and online round-table style events to help entrepreneurs connect with one another in a casual, small-group environment. These sessions will provide space for you to talk through a key pain point and get input and ideas not only from your peers, but from experts in topics such as B2B sales, marketing (filling your funnel), and fundraising.
A registered charity, the Discovery Foundation has been a committed champion and enabler of the science and technology sector in BC since its formation in 1979. Its principal activity is the delivery of the Technology Education Program via agents that provide education and guidance to entrepreneurs in BC. When possible, the Foundation also provides funds for research and scholarship.
The Discovery Foundation
dedicated to promoting and facilitating innovation and development of the technology sector in British Columbia
dedicated to promoting and facilitating innovation and development of the technology sector in British Columbia
Meet Your Advisors
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Paul Brassard
PITCH & PRESENTATION, INVESTOR STRATEGY AND PREP
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Chris Stairs
REVENUE MODELS, FUNDING AND PRO FORMA
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Colin McWhinnie
SALES AND SCALING
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Deena Sa
DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY, CONTENT AND ADVERTISING
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Charlyne Fothergill
PITCH COACHING, PEOPLE & CULTURE, EARLY STAGE VALIDATION AND OPERATIONS
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Fred Rego
PRODUCT PLANNING & ROADMAPPING AND DATA ANALYTICS
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Monisha Bajaj
BUSINESS STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & EXECUTION, AND MARKETING
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Camille Hunt
FUNDRAISING, INVESTOR STRATEGY, AND PITCH COACHING
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Gabriela Kurtz
EARLY STAGE STARTUPS, PITCH PREP/PUBLIC SPEAKING, DIGITAL MARKETING, BRANDING STRATEGY
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Mira Soullen
FULL STACK MARKETING STRATEGY, CROWDFUNDING, STARTUP GROWTHF
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Sandra Spencer
FUNDING & FINANCING STRATEGIES, COMMERCIALIZATION, RAISING PRE-SEED & SEED FUNDING, PITCH & PRESENTATION
Program Partners
Looking back at our 2022 Program Impact
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We gave the stage to a total of 15 companies, spanning 3 Showcases.
The themes included Women-Led Startups, Women Under 30 and Black Entrepreneur Showcase, with $2000 in cash prizes.
Our showcases were kindly supported by 5 sponsors; Vantec Angel Network, Futurepreneur, Segev LLP, ISM + BIPOC Foundation, and Latched.
These events included a total of 9 Industry Expert Panelists and 160 live attendees who showed up to support our incredible entrepreneurs.
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Our 15 expert advisors dedicated a total of 201 hours to supporting companies with our startup coaching sessions.
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We held 10 Pitch Bootcamps, serving multiple communities with our program partners; thank you to the League of Innovators, Young Women in Business, NVBC, KAST, BEBC, Empowered Startups and SHAD Canada.