Venture-Capital Ready program

Overview of the Venture-Capital Ready program program:

Venture-Capital Ready is a specialized training program targeting women entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector who aspire to scale their businesses by securing venture capital funding. The program provides an immersive learning experience focused on the science of investor engagement, emphasizing the critical role of effective communication during Q&A sessions with venture capitalists. Delivered through Boundless Accelerator™ in partnership with SSFPA, the program equips participants with actionable insights and tools to refine their pitches and confidently manage investor interactions. At the core of the program is the Investoready© platform, a dynamic training system that offers automated, real-time feedback to help entrepreneurs master the nuances of venture capital conversations. Participants also have access to workshops, pitch refinement sessions, and peer-to-peer feedback events called “Pitch Parties,” which help them polish their presentations before engaging with real investors. With a commitment of approximately 40 hours, entrepreneurs can gain practical experience, create professional investor-facing documents, and connect with a curated pipeline of investors through the program. This initiative breaks down barriers to venture capital by focusing on women founders in a sector poised for growth, ensuring they have the tools and networks needed to scale their businesses nationally and globally.

Benefits of the Venture-Capital Ready program program:

• Investoready Platform Access: Participants use this innovative platform to practice responding to investor questions, receiving automated feedback to improve their skills.
• Workshops and Training: Targeted sessions that help entrepreneurs develop key skills in pitch delivery, business presentation, and investor relations.
• Pitch Refinement: One-on-one and group-based opportunities to refine pitch decks and presentations, ensuring clarity and professionalism.
• Peer Feedback: "Pitch Parties" allow participants to practice their presentations in front of peers and mentors, gaining constructive feedback to enhance their confidence and delivery.
• Investor Pipeline Access: Assistance with developing deal room documents and business profiles, making it easier to connect with venture capitalists actively seeking investment opportunities.
• No Financial Barriers: Fully funded training and mentorship eliminate costs for participants, enabling them to focus entirely on skill-building and scaling their businesses.

Eligibility criteria of the Venture-Capital Ready program program:

• Eligibility requirements for the program include:
• Target Audience: Women founders in Canadas agri-food sector, including those producing food and beverage products.
• Business Status: Companies must either be incorporated in Canada or prepared to incorporate.
• Growth Stage: Businesses with increasing sales or demand, looking to scale.
• Revenue Requirements: There are no specified minimum or maximum revenue thresholds, but the business should demonstrate growth potential.
• Commitment: Founders must commit approximately 40 hours to training, including sessions on financing and venture capital processes.
• Sector Focus: Participants should be engaged in agri-food, with a clear plan for scaling their business and attracting investment.