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Black Innovation Programs


Empowering the next wave of Black-owned tech startups

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Incubator



DMZ INCUBATOR

The DMZ Incubator is a highly-customized, equity-based program that helps venture-backable tech startups grow their business over the course of 18 months. All Incubator startups receive up to $25K in funding when accepted to the DMZ, and startups with a Black founder receive an additional $10K funding upon entry to put towards their business growth.

Our incubator program supports early-stage tech startups by helping them navigate the trials and tribulations involved in getting a business off the ground.

Startups join with a minimum viable product and some form of market validation, and over the course of 8 to 12 months will receive the hands-on support needed to refine product development, develop a powerful team and build a winning sales strategy.

For a full overview of the program and eligibility criteria, visit our Incubator page here.

DMZ ACCELERATOR

Taking high-potential startups to the next level of growth.

Our four-month intensive Accelerator program has a highly competitive selection process and helps the world’s top tech startups achieve hypergrowth.

Leveraging DMZ’s in-house network of mentors and industry experts, Accelerator startups can expect to receive the comprehensive support needed to fine-tune business processes, attract top investors and skyrocket revenue generation.

What you get

The DMZ Incubator itself is not restricted to Black founders. However, in addition to program benefits of the Incubator, participants in the Black Innovation program will receive access to:

Growth and digital experts

Hands-on coaching from high-calibre, experienced senior mentors

Connections

The chance to meet and network with influential investors, experts and researchers

Programming

Exclusive workshops, conferences and deep dive sessions by Canada's leading experts

Peer sessions

Opportunities to meet and network with other founders in your cohort

Exclusive member benefits

Access to DMZ online resources, exclusive member perks and discounts, services from Professionals-in-Residence (PiRs) and Alum-in-Residence (AiRs)

Criteria


We’re looking for Canada’s most-promising and high-impact tech entrepreneurs who have what it takes to scale their business.

Interested applications must also have:

  • A business dedicated to solving a compelling problem using innovative technology
  • At least one full-time founder
  • A driven, coachable, and collaborative leadership team
  • Must have the ability to manage the product directly
    • Have a CTO or in-house technical lead or show a clear path to moving a part time lead onboard full time
  • An MVP that has some form of market validation
    • Startups that are identified as having a marketplace business model must demonstrate a unique value proposition, paying customers and clear defensibility in their application as validation due to the highly competitive nature of marketplaces.
  • The potential to grow and scale sufficiently to reach the eligibility criteria for our growth accelerator

Accelerator

  • A startup dedicated to solving a compelling problem using innovative technology
  • At least one FTE dedicated to sales and revenue development
  • A driven, coachable and collaborative leadership team
  • A full-time CTO or in-house technical lead
  • A minimum of $20K in monthly revenue through an existing customer network
  • Be in market and demonstrate steady revenue for at least four consecutive months
  • An established product-market fit and at least one client that we can verify
  • Able to relocate to the DMZ’s Toronto office for the duration of the program

Ready to accelerate your dreams?

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