Front Row Ventures, with MAIN and Espace CDPQ, launches new training to help startups raise venture capital funding

MONTRÉAL, DECEMBER 11, 2023 — Front Row Ventures, in collaboration with Espace CDPQ and the Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec (MAIN), is launching The Fundraising Blueprint, a training program to help startups raise their first round of funding with venture capital firms.

Building on the experience of their first venture capital training course dedicated to students and young professionals, called the VC Blueprint, Front Row Ventures is delivering a second and new course that builds on their previous experience, as well as sharing tips from several successful entrepreneurs. A badge of recognition will be sent out after the training, enabling venture capital firm teams to better identify startups and their supporting organizations that have prepared themselves.

This bilingual, online training course consists of seven modules on various topics such as VC 101, preparing a successful fundraising round, the technical aspects of fundraising, and the venture capital firm (VCs) process. In addition to helping startups, this training is a great learning tool for people who support these Canadian companies, notably within accelerator programs.

Training costs $500 per individual license, with a 50% discount for students and startups. More specifically in Quebec, thanks to the collaboration with MAIN, members of their network benefit from a 50% discount on the regular price. Find out more about training and our special discount (page in French)

Quotes

“Our mission at Front Row Ventures is to train Canada’s next generation of technology leaders from all sides of the table. As the manager of a fund that invests at the pre-seed stage, we’ve seen how opaque the fundraising process is for many entrepreneurs. By sharing our knowledge and that of other investors and entrepreneurs, we are determined to increase the number of successful fundraisings and help our ecosystem to flourish.”
Emmanuelle Coppinger, Managing Director, Front Row Ventures

“This training will help give a greater skillset to startups prior to meeting venture capital funds. By demystifying the various forms of investment beforehand, well-prepared entrepreneurs will be able to build stronger relationships, right through to securing financing. Espace CDPQ is proud to support the sharing of knowledge and contribute to the adoption of a common language.”
Nicolas Rubbo, Manager Director, Espace CDPQ

“Accelerators and incubators are always looking for ways to better understand the steps and the right timing to help entrepreneurs start fundraising. In addition, by increasing the level of knowledge of the organizations that accompany startups on a daily basis, we ensure, as an ecosystem, that we increase the chances of success for entrepreneurs and reduce the time it takes to see the benefits of these successes.”
Louis-Félix Binette, Executive director, MAIN

momentumIP: an ambitious service to make intellectual property a growth driver for the entire Quebec startup ecosystem

The Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec (MAIN) presented this morning the terms and conditions of the momentumIP service, offered in collaboration with Axelys and Quebec’s accelerators and incubators. Made possible through the ElevateIP program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, momentumIP will offer support to high-growth potential companies with intellectual property (IP) needs.

Continue reading “momentumIP: an ambitious service to make intellectual property a growth driver for the entire Quebec startup ecosystem”

MAIN renews with Startupfest to organize AcceleratorFest, a worldwide event for accelerators

Le Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec (MAIN) and Startupfest announce the return of the AcceleratorFest on July 12. This special one-day event for accelerator operators will take place during Startupfest, which will be held from July 12 to 14 in Montréal.

Continue reading “MAIN renews with Startupfest to organize AcceleratorFest, a worldwide event for accelerators”

Propriété intellectuelle

Significant investment to implement structuring initiatives in intellectual property for Quebec startups

The Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec (MAIN) announced today that the Québec startup ecosystem will receive part of the $90M envelop reserved for the ElevateIP program by the Government of Canada to provide intellectual property (IP) support to hundreds of innovative Québec startups and to help build the skills and capacity of the organizations that directly support these companies until 2026.

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StartupFest Montréal

Join MAIN at Startupfest from July 13th to 15th

Startupfest is back in Montreal from July 13th to 15th with a ton of events you don’t want to miss! This annual gathering allows entrepreneurs, investors, creators, large companies, industry veterans and the entire support ecosystem to chart the course of technology entrepreneurship in a unique festival atmosphere.

MAIN is a partner of the event and will present the Accelerators Lounge, a large space in the heart of the tent village.  Come meet incubators and accelerators, make promising meetings, or just come and recharge yourself (or your devices!).

Schedule  

Wednesday, July 13th

12 to 1 p.m.: Everyone is welcome! The lounge is open and MAIN’s team will be there to answer all your questions regarding its coaching service Momentum, Continuum startup, the Lac-à-L’Épaule podcast and to allow you to fill our Talent Barometer survey

1 to 3 p.m.: adMare BioInnovations, an accelerator specializing in biotech, invites startups to discover their services in investment capital, and scientific, commercial and infrastructure expertise.

3 to 4 p.m.: MTLAB, an accelerator specializing in tourism, culture and entertainment, welcomes all companies who wish to participate in a reverse pitch activity for Palais des congrès de Montréal.

4 to 5 p.m.: Welcome to all! Recharge and be energized with MAIN’s team. 

Thursday, July 14th

8 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Welcome to all! The lounge is open and MAIN’s team will be there to answer all your questions regarding its coaching service Momentum, the Lac-à-L’Épaule podcast and to allow you to fill our Talent Barometer survey. 

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Sold out event – Venture capital meetings with Investissement Québec.

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Welcome to all!

2 to 3 p.m.: MTLAB, an accelerator specializing in tourism, culture and entertainment, welcomes all companies who wish to participate in a reverse pitch activity for Parc olympique and TRès Trois-Rivières.

3 to 5 p.m.: Welcome to all! Recharge and be energized with MAIN’s team.

Friday, July 15th 

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The lounge will be open to all! Come and set up your own meetings, or chat with MAIN’s team.

Demo Tables

Throughout the event, the lounge will also host demo tables from LE CAMP, Next AI, Creative Destruction Lab and DMZ. Stop by the lounge to meet them!

MAIN would like to thank AMEX, who is powering the lounge, our major partners adMare BioInnovations and MTLAB as well our accelerator partners: ACET, Cilex, Défi Montréal, District 3, Espace-inc., INKUB Desjardins, IVÉO, La SUITE entrepreneuriale Desjardins and .