Calling all women-led tech businesses looking to accelerate! Join EmpowHER Tech Launchpad

IDEA Mississauga is calling on women entrepreneurs to take their product or technology to the next level through the EmpowHER Tech Launchpad. In partnership with YSpace, York University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub, this 12-week accelerator program is designed to support women-led businesses that are ready to scale their existing product or technology-based businesses. It will also have a strong emphasis on helping newcomer women who are breaking barriers in the tech space. Through one-on-one mentorship, training to prepare for investors, and support to take businesses to the next level, EmpowHER Tech Launchpad helps participants innovate, expand their market reach and build sustainable, successful ventures.

Who should apply?

The program is open to registered Canadian incorporations that meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 51 per cent women-led business
• Must be past the product-launch stage
• Requires one co-founder to attend all programming in-person
• Ability to commit to the full duration of the program
• Located within the GTA

Preference will be provided to newcomer women founders. Applications will be open until July 11, 2025.

For detailed information, visit IDEA Mississauga’s EmpowHER Tech Launchpad webpage.

What successful participants can expect

EmpowHER Tech Launchpad offers women founders a unique opportunity to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey with specialized tools, training and support. The 12-week hybrid program runs from September to December 2025. Founders will have access to up to $200,000 in business resources to scale their ventures, including expert-led workshops focused on key business aspects such as sales, fundraising and much more, along with personalized one-on-one mentorship from industry experts.

The program also includes regular office hours with program facilitators to ensure success, alongside many opportunities to connect with experienced women in tech. The program wraps up with a final showcase event, where participants will present their business to a community of experts, mentors, potential investors and clients.

Join a growing network of EmpowHER success stories!

The impact of EmpowHER goes beyond the 12-week program. Past participant, Zahra Qureshi, joined the program while growing her finance and accounting firm Optinum Corporation, and credits EmpowHER’s mentorship and coaching with helping her refine her strategy for growth. As a direct outcome of the EmpowHER program experience, Zahra successfully launched a B2B SaaS platform, scaled her revenue and expanded her team by hiring two full-time employees within six months.

Similarly, Hira Malik, Co-Founder of Food Mamba, gained valuable insights on scaling her technology across the GTA through the EmpowHER program. With support in financial modelling, sales strategy development, and exposure to investment review panels, she and her team were empowered to confidently pitch their business to investors. As a result, Food Mamba was accepted into multiple pitch competitions and successfully secured several contracts, marking key milestones in their growth journey. Building on this momentum, Food Mamba also joined IDEA Mississauga’s Step-Up Program, where they’ve continued to receive tailored support to accelerate their scale-up efforts and deepen their impact in the food tech space.

For more information, including 2025 application details, participant testimonials and more, visit IDEA Mississauga’s EmpowHER Tech Launchpad webpage.

About IDEA Mississauga

IDEA Mississauga, powered by Invest Mississauga, brings together industry, government, education and organizational leaders to help start-ups and scale-ups accelerate ideas and commercialize solutions. IDEA offers entrepreneurs a comprehensive suite of resources to support their needs and growth, including tailored programs and services, along with a rich network of mentorship, partners and talent. From start-up to scale-up, the IDEA team is dedicated to driving innovation and turning entrepreneurs’ ideas into reality.

About YSpace

YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting scale-ups, start-ups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. YSpace’s programming spans from scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to advancing agri-food businesses into mass retail. YSpace also focuses on diversity initiatives like ELLA powered by Desjardins for women-led businesses, and Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. Additionally with the Start-Up Visa program, YSpace is building a robust ecosystem, driving positive change and empowering entrepreneurs to shape the future.

Quotes

“IDEA Mississauga, powered by Invest Mississauga, is dedicated to helping businesses start, grow, and thrive through our wide range of programs and services. EmpowHER is one of the many programs that supports our mission, and it also goes one step further. It not only gives women founders the tools and resources they need to succeed, but also gives them the confidence and community network to take their business to the next level.” – Christina Kakaflikas, Director, Invest Mississauga

“At YSpace, championing women entrepreneurs is at the heart of what we do. EmpowHER Tech Launchpad is a powerful extension of that mission – built in partnership with IDEA Mississauga to help innovative women-led businesses build, scale, and thrive. Through programs like ELLA, our national accelerator for women-led ventures, we’ve supported over 2,000 women founders across Canada. With EmpowHER, we are creating even more space for bold, visionary women to lead Canada’s tech future – and we can’t wait to meet the next wave of changemakers.” – David Kwok, Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, YSpace and Office of the VP, Research & Innovation, York University

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