The DMZ Women Innovation Programs consist of specialized initiatives aimed at advancing women entrepreneurs in Canada’s startup ecosystem. The programs are offered by DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University, a leading startup incubator. Recognizing the persistent barriers women founders face—such as underrepresentation in tech and challenges in securing venture capital—the DMZ has curated a portfolio of initiatives to bridge this gap. There are two main components under the Women Innovation Programs: Women Founders Stream (part of the DMZ’s core Incubator Program): This stream offers a customized experience for women entrepreneurs with an established MVP (minimum viable product) and early traction. Founders gain access to peer-to-peer support, tailored programming, mentorship, and strategic growth planning. Launchpad for Women Founders: This early-stage program helps women founders validate their ideas, build a roadmap to MVP development, and understand how to acquire initial users. It’s geared toward entrepreneurs in the ideation phase or those beginning product development. The goal is to build a supportive community where women can access world-class resources, mentorship from industry experts, and connections to investors. The programs have helped participants secure funding, increase brand visibility, and scale operations nationally and internationally.
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