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Paving a new era for startup legal support: DMZ’s IP Clinic unveiled

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Paving a new era for startup legal support: DMZ’s IP Clinic unveiled

Coming from a tech startup incubator, we get it — the entrepreneurial journey is a rollercoaster ride, and legal potholes can be deal-breakers. That’s why DMZ’s Startup Legal Support (SLS) team and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law have worked together to launch a new Intellectual Property (IP) Clinic, a game-changer in the dynamic world of startup legal support.

As a company grows, so do the legal challenges.

Despite the fact that 70% of businesses earn enough revenue to surpass eligibility for free legal aid, most still grapple with affording the substantial costs of hiring a lawyer. DMZ emerges as a pivotal solution for these startups, acting as their legal compass. In doing so, DMZ not only helps startups maintain their competitiveness but also contributes to making legal services more accessible.

Through the generous support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Lincoln Alexander School of Law and DMZ have collaborated to introduce the IP Clinic, a new initiative aimed at providing startups supported by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) with comprehensive legal services. Nicholas Hill, Head of Startup Legal Support and Legal Advisor, spearheads these services with the support of three TMU law students, Ikra Saeed, Isabella Spiliakos and Shany Raitsin, who work under his supervision.

Intellectual Property isn’t a luxury, but a strategic necessity for startups.

As a strong proponent of the DMZ’s IP Clinic, Dr. Sari Graben, Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies, notes that the Clinic plays a vital role in advancing the competitiveness of Canada’s startup ecosystem. “Our grant and innovative idea to launch IP legal services for startups aligns seamlessly with Lincoln Alexander Law’s vision to enable lawyers to tackle novel challenges in an increasingly innovation-based economy.”

The IP Clinic will enhance the accessibility of legal resources and knowledge to over 500 entrepreneurs within Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zone Learning Network. To date, the Clinic has been instrumental in servicing over 70+ startups, producing over 200 deliverables. “This IP Clinic marks a crucial step forward in our mission to empower startups with the legal knowledge they need to thrive,” says Nicholas Hill. “We’re excited about the positive impact this will have on our entrepreneurial community.”

As DMZ’s SLS opens up this new avenue of legal support, we have seen just how coveted IP services really are. Moreover, the IP Clinic’s value doesn’t just stop at startups.

We’re exposing law students to real-life case studies.

Beyond providing startups with essential legal assistance, we’re helping students navigate the legal ins and outs of the startup world. These students don’t stand on the sidelines, they’re gaining first-hand exposure to complex legal documentation and practical experience from Intellectual Property assignments to brand protection.

To sum it up, introducing IP legal services like those provided by DMZ sparks groundbreaking transformation, propelling the overall growth and success of these innovative ventures, and elevating their competitiveness to compete on the world stage. The collaboration of legal experts, aspiring law professionals and startups creates a recipe for entrepreneurial success in Canada’s startup ecosystem.

To learn more about DMZ’s legal support for startups, visit dmz.to/SLS.

Year in Review: DMZ Wrapped 2023

The stats are in! Let’s take a look at our feats this past year.

This year truly soared to unprecedented heights, from supporting more than a hundred dynamic startups here at our HQ to helping international founders making groundbreaking strides in innovation and global expansion.

Raise a glass with us as we toast to the incredible accomplishments and milestones that defined our community’s success in 2023.


We’ve always been at the forefront of supporting startups, and this year was no exception. Throughout 2023, we proudly supported an array of startups spanning diverse industries. From PropTech, Automation SaaS, Supply Chain and Logistics to FinTech and Cybersecurity, we’ve had the privilege of nurturing the growth of businesses driving impact across many unique verticals.


Among many exciting announcements in 2023, we were proud to become UBI Global’s official research and selection partner this year and revealed the top-ranking incubators and accelerators worldwide on stage at the World Incubation Summit in Belgium.

Our year in review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Collision 2023. Marking the start of Collision week, DMZ’s Insiders Event showcased top startup pitches and awarded $65,000 in funding to the winning founders.


The event included an esteemed audience of industry leaders and saw David Walmsley, Globe and Mail’s Editor-in-Chief, deliver a memorable keynote speech.

If you’ve been keeping up with us this year, you’ll know that DMZ marked 2023 as the year of the camel startup. DMZ’s prominent presence at Collision featured a 7-foot camel, a stage with partner and founder panels, global showcases, a “Shark Tank” style pitch competition and more, and prize giveaways over the three-day conference.


Our commitment to empowering international startups reached new horizons through global partnerships, such as DMZ’s collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization’s (JETRO) Global Acceleration Hub, marking a significant milestone as its first Canadian partner.


This year fueled collaborations with both existing and new partners that packed a heavy punch for the startup innovation landscape. 2023 saw us join forces with 25 new partners and continue great work with existing partners, including Amex Canada, Scotiabank, Desjardins, and Groundbreak Ventures.


With over 860 student entrepreneurs supported and a whopping 1,294 individuals attending Masterclasses, we’ve unlocked a new level of potential for the next generation of tech pioneers.


Embracing diversity in our programs has always been a cornerstone of our efforts, and this year we’re proud to share that 20% of our Incubator companies were founded by Black entrepreneurs and 24% by women.


Hot off the press! DMZ and our startups were talked about… a lot.
Our startups shone brightly, garnering an astounding 35,400 media impressions over the year!


There was never a dull moment at DMZ’s bustling entrepreneurial hub. With 7,000+ visitors over the year, our team hosted 123 groups for tours and 127 events at our HQ in Toronto.

Coffees were flowing year-round, with 8,685 cups served this year, igniting our creative sparks while our startups and staff worked hard. But that’s not to say we didn’t also play hard – 1,926 ping pong matches were held in our games room.

Our staff also embarked on our own entrepreneurial endeavours this year, 3D printing a total of 1,129 camel structures.

What a year! 2023 was an opportunity for DMZ to recalibrate – to hone in on evolving our programs and operations – and we’ve made significant progress in this direction. Now, on the brink of our 14th birthday this upcoming year, there’s a whole lot more to look forward to. Stay tuned for another promising year ahead.

Want to play a role in contributing to DMZ’s 2024 stats and milestones? Discover DMZ and our programming here. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest tech news, updates, and special offers.

Introducing DMZ’s new cohort of Incubator startups

Out of hundreds of applications from around the world, we’ve hand-selected 13 tech startups to join us for the next 18 months.

Some highlights of this cohort include:

  • Representation from diverse verticals: FinTech, EnterpriseTech, GovTech, Smart Automation and more
  • More than 30% of companies are women-founded and over 30% Black-founded
  • AI-enabled technology comprises over half of this cohort
  • Startups from Peru, Nigeria, Iran, India, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada
  • A new selection process called Deep Dive sessions – where subject-matter experts undergo rigorous assessments with startup founders to evaluate each company’s focal areas, ensuring top-tier selection.

Throughout the program, startups will receive comprehensive support to execute their go-to-market strategy, acquire lighthouse customers, gain media exposure, explore global expansion, prepare for the next round of funding and much more. DMZ will be with them every step of the way, giving them hands-on coaching, access to our world-class community, professional services, business savings and more.  

Just when we thought we had seen the best of the best, our newest cohort has seriously raised the bar, leaving us in awe of their track records and potential. 

Keep reading and join us in extending a big DMZ welcome to Cohort 6!

Cleanster logo
On a mission to make quality cleaning services more accessible, Cleanster connects property managers and homeowners with professional cleaners. Their solution matches users with locally vetted service providers to clean their spaces at an affordable price and integrates with leading property management software for users to manage their property care operations.

Flowjin logo
Flowjin is an AI-powered tool that empowers content creators and businesses with the tools to drive social media growth. With Flowjin, users can easily identify high-performing content and quickly create customizable clips for social media, ensuring users maximize content and save time.

Handy.ai logo
Handy.ai is an intelligent SaaS platform that provides AI-powered virtual specialists to drive customer and employee success. Offering tailored solutions to clients, Handy.ai can be leveraged for customer success, employee engagement and partner success.

Hilo logo
HILO is at the forefront of revolutionizing Customer Experience (CX) in buildings with a one-stop, user-configured, personalized, and AI-enabled platform to improve and simplify people’s lives where they work and live. HILO empowers building operators to retain current tenants, attract new ones and streamline operations.

Loopify logo
Loopify360 is an all-in-one marketing and sales hub for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering a range of solutions and tools designed to find and retain customers. Their AI-powered marketing platform provides tailored solutions, delivering optimal return on investment.

PoliTraq logo
PoliTraQ combines stakeholder profiles, meeting notes and briefing materials into a single, all-in-one advocacy management system. Their solution helps public affairs professionals implement and manage advocacy campaigns, monitor legislation and track advocacy impact.

ReInvest Wealth logo
ReInvestWealth offers a cost-effective solution for small business accounting needs. Their professionally trained AI accountant provides daily bookkeeping and expert financial advice, addressing common pain points like slow processing and overlooked tax refunds. 

ShipVista logo
ShipVista streamlines multi-channel order management and fulfillment for online retailers. By offering real-time carrier rates, automated label printing, and integration with multiple carriers, it saves time and money while enhancing sales.

Subskryb logo
Subskyb is a premium vehicle-as-a-service solution that offers high-end vehicles for a monthly fee, covering insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance. Users can effortlessly select their luxury vehicle of choice and have it delivered, all while car owners earn by listing their vehicles.

Sugar security logo
Sugar Security makes advanced cybersecurity testing easy and affordable for small to mid-sized businesses. Through their cloud-based software, Sugar Security empowers businesses to identify security vulnerabilities in their organizations through enhanced vulnerability scanning.

Syzl logo
Syzl is revolutionizing the food industry by transforming idle commercial kitchens into bustling hubs for culinary entrepreneurs. Their platform enables food makers to find compliant, safe and flexible workspaces and empowers kitchen owners to leverage unused stations to earn extra revenue.

Vidboard.ai logo
VidBoard simplifies video production by creating AI-enabled avatar models. Their platform offers a cost-effective and scalable solution, eliminating the need for studio visits, multiple professionals, equipment and third-party costs.

Zagitas logo
Zagitas serves as a digital assistant in the office. Their solution automates manual business processes through the integration of AI, robotic process automation, chatbots and business intelligence technologies.


Want to join the next cohort of changemakers? DMZ is now accepting applications for its March 2024 cohort. Apply
here

 

 

 

Unlocking DMZ’s benefits, from a $10K entry grant and travel subsidies to free legal support

Breaking down how DMZ can help your startup’s bottom line. 


As a #1 ranked incubator globally, DMZ has a lot to offer, and we pride ourselves on not only talking the talk
but also walking the walk. We support the most promising and high-impact tech entrepreneurs who have what it takes to scale their businesses. But don’t get it twisted; we know it takes two to tango.

That’s why startups that join DMZ’s Incubator receive world-class programming and services. To us, that means real, tangible support. 

To start, startups accepted into our Incubator program receive a $10,000 entry grant to help kick-start their journey with us. While we know $10,000 can help with product development, a targeted marketing campaign, training and development or new infrastructure, we can also appreciate that $10,000 is a drop in the bucket. 

Beyond DMZ’s entry grant, startups receive personalized support with customer acquisition and fundraising, unlimited 1 on 1 coaching sessions from our Experts-in-Residence, pro-bono professional services, exclusive pitch competitions, access to the Student Work Placement Program, grant research and writing, startup perks and discounts valued at over $1 million, help with SR&ED tax incentives, free financial plan model custom built by a CFO, free UX design support,  24/7 office space and full-service amenities… the list goes on and on. 

So, how do all these program perks support startups with expenses, and —more importantly — how have they empowered startups to level up? We thought you’d never ask. 

Here are just a few ways DMZ’s Incubator can help your startup’s bottom line. 

Explore new markets without breaking the bank.  

Building a thriving business requires startups to go global, and DMZ helps founders cover travel costs for opportunities abroad through Mitacs Entrepreneur International. We’re committed to inspiring our founders to explore untapped markets and have been thrilled to see founders delve into opportunities abroad.

SoftDrive (Incubator ‘22) received $15,000 to travel to London, New York City, Japan and San Francisco to tap into international markets, meet with VCs, secure customers and attend global conferences

Lightster (Incubator ‘23) received $5,000 to travel to London to attend Techspo London and successfully secured a sales-qualified lead.

 

Fuel your research and level up your product. 

Strengthen your startup’s innovation capabilities through the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship. As a Mitacs partner, DMZ supports founders with the program to harness cutting-edge research to commercialize new products and gain a competitive edge in the market.  

Charmy Pet (Incubator ‘22) received $9,000 to research the health benefits of traditional Chinese herbs for pets, which led to the successful commercialization of a new product line available in over 450 specialty pet stores across Canada today.

 

Access essential legal services from day one. 

DMZ’s Startup Legal Support gives founders fully subsidized in-house legal services. We know how crucial legal support is for early-stage founders, which is why startups who come to DMZ don’t need to worry about cutting corners and instead can have legal processes in place from the get-go. 

To date, Startup Legal Support has saved founders over $600,000 in legal fees, helping them with legal matters, including corporate cleanups, intellectual property, stock option plans, term sheet reviews, share sales, terms of use, privacy policies, service agreements, customer contracts and more.

SoftDrive (Incubator ‘22) was able to save over $35,000 in legal fees.

XpertVR (Incubator ‘22) was able to save over $28,000 in legal fees.

Leasey (Incubator ‘24) was able to save over $25,000 in legal fees.

 

Save on startup must-haves.

DMZ’s perks and benefits provide discounts and fully subsidized tools for founders to save money on the essentials. From founder mental health, AWS Credits, financial services and more, DMZ startups receive perks from 170+ service providers worth over $1 million in business savings. 

Sitemax (Incubator ‘25) received $25,000 in AWS credits, allowing them to re-allocate resources to hire a new Business Development Representative for their team.  

Kaitongo (Incubator ‘24) received $25,000 in AWS credits, allowing them to make product enhancements.

Take part in exclusive pitch competitions. 

DMZ Incubator startups have the opportunity to participate in exclusive startup pitch competitions for the chance to showcase their business and secure grant funding. DMZ handed out $65,000 in grant funding to Incubator startups this summer.  

Chexy (Incubator ‘24) received $50,000 in funding, which helped them improve customer experience and expand their landlord offerings. 

Formaloo (Incubator ‘24) received $15,000 in funding to support their continued expansion with the new release of Formaloo 3.0.


Subsidize your team’s wages. 

Members of DMZ’s Incubator program get access to the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, which allows startups to subsidize student wages.

Lightster (Incubator ‘23) was able to subsidize $20,000 in wages, which covered 3 student placements, one of which did two terms. 

Want to learn more about how DMZ’s Incubator can help your startup through coaching, mentorship, programming and benefits? Head to dmz.to/Incubator to learn more and apply today. 

Italia360: Supporting first-generation and Italian student entrepreneurs

Meet the brilliant mind behind Fuori and how she’s leading the ethical activewear movement


Congratulazioni to the first cohort of participants of DMZ’s
Italia360 program; what a ride it’s been!

Italia360 is an 8-week part-time incubation program that helps first-generation and Italian heritage student entrepreneurs create innovative and disruptive businesses. The program taught students how to develop and market their ideas with the help of  mentors and provided them the opportunity to work with other young innovators.

Made possible by the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association Of Toronto (CIBPA), students had the opportunity to participate in exclusive workshops conducted by CIBPA mentors, engage with other leading startups and experts from across Canada, connect with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zone Network and receive one-on-one coaching from DMZ experts. 

The excitement doesn’t end there. In addition to gaining entrepreneurial tools for success, the winning startup also received an all-inclusive 3-day trip to Italy to connect with their Italian roots and tour the local businesses of CIBPA.

DMZ was floored by the quality of startups from Italia360; a huge congratulations goes out to all participants.


Fuori

Founded by Toronto Metropolitan’s very own Sofia Beraldo, Fuori is a trailblazing fashion brand committed to revolutionizing the activewear industry towards sustainability. Its approach centers on whole-garment knitting and the utilization of natural fibers, diverging from the prevalent reliance on synthetic plastics that dominate the market today.

With her trip to Italy, Sofia plans to explore the region of Prado, which is known as a textile hub responsible for 15% of all global textile recycling. During her visit, she hopes to establish partnerships that will enable her to send cherished and well-worn garments for recycling.

“I can’t say enough about Italia360. From the advisors we’ve met, the sessions that we’ve been able to take part in, the network of entrepreneurs who have the same aspirations — it’s all been incredibly rewarding,” said Sofia.  


Junily

Our panel of judges was so impressed with the caliber of startups, that they also decided to give an award to the runner-up.

Founded by Dmitry Baleshev, a BComm student at Ted Rogers School of Management, Junily works to guide students toward their ideal career path and match them with Canadian education institutions. 

“Italia360 has provided tremendous support, guiding us from ideation to the realization of our business model. Having mentors by our side was a great source of motivation,” said Dmitry.

The inaugural cohort of Italia360 has every reason to feel accomplished for their dedicated efforts this summer. Embodying the true Italian spirit, wishing Buon Viaggio (safe travels) to Sofia! 

Looking to join similar DMZ programming in 2024? Subscribe to our TechTalk newsletter and stay informed on program applications here. Until then, we invite you to check out DMZ Masterclass to master your business skills at dmz.to/masterclass

 

The power of local: How Innisfil is fuelling economic growth and retaining top talent

How one small town is paving the way for sustainable regional growth


Innovation and entrepreneurship are not just buzzwords, they are the driving forces behind economic growth and opportunity. While big urban cities have been the traditional hotspot for startups to thrive, the notion of a startup hotbed being limited to bustling metropolitan centers is rapidly changing. Now, rural communities across Canada are demonstrating that they, too, have the potential to cultivate successful businesses and retain top talent.

Jelmer Stegink, Program Director of DMZ Innisfil, at DMZ Innisfil office.

Take Innisfil, Ontario, as the perfect example — a small town in Canada that faced the challenge of 82% of its residents leaving town for work every day. The town’s Mayor, Lynn Dollin, and her team recognized the need to create and support the jobs of tomorrow right in their own backyard. “Prior to the pandemic there was this misconception that founders needed to live and work in the GTA in order to tap into innovative resources, peers and programming,” says Mayor Lynn Dollin. “So in rural communities like ours, residents felt they had to spend hours in traffic to drive to a congested City to do their business.”

Enter Innisfil’s partnership with DMZ, the world’s leading startup incubator. Since its launch in 2020, DMZ Innisfil has successfully supported more than 35 local entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses, raising $10M in growth capital through DMZ programming and generating $1M+ in revenue.

But the real story here is how Innisfil has embraced entrepreneurship and innovation. By investing in programming to help business owners thrive, Innisfil has set a benchmark for how rural Canadian towns can encourage citizens to advance their local economy while creating the future they want in their hometown.

 “Through delivery of the DMZ Innisfil program over the past few years we’ve been able to demonstrate that innovation is a mindset, not a geography, and rural areas have just as much creativity and ambition as our urban counterparts,” says Dollin. “By bringing together like-minded entrepreneurs through DMZ Innisfil programming and events we’ve seen local founders flourish, enjoying better life work balance by the lake all while accessing world-class mentorship and support.”

The power of collaboration and support cannot be underestimated. One shining example of this synergy is the incredible success story of Fractional SaaS, a dynamic startup that found its footing with the invaluable assistance of DMZ Innisfil.

For founder Andrew Rains, the decision to move to Innisfil in 2018 was driven by a desire to seize emerging opportunities and raise a family. Little did he know that this small town was on the brink of an entrepreneurship revolution. 

When the pandemic struck, the Town of Innisfil faced a myriad of issues that demanded innovative solutions. DMZ, in partnership with the Town of Innisfil, launched a competition to address these challenges brought on by COVID restrictions. Fractional SaaS rose to the occasion by submitting a successful operations management solution in response to the Town’s call for better boat management at their marinas. This milestone became a turning point for Fractional SaaS., as it not only showcased their capabilities but also provided an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the local community.

Fractional SaaS revolutionized marina operations in Innisfil, earning acclaim from the Town for their impactful solutions. They have expanded their services to other municipalities, positioning themselves as trusted partners for local governments. With DMZ Innisfil’s ongoing support, Fractional SaaS is poised for even greater accomplishments, connecting their team with the right people at the right time.

Fractional SaaS’s success story exemplifies the power of collaboration, with DMZ Innisfil playing a pivotal role in their journey as they continue to make a lasting impact, propelling innovation and community empowerment for different rural regions. 

 “Rural communities have become fertile ground for entrepreneurial growth. The notion that thriving innovation ecosystems are exclusive to major cities is now a thing of the past. Through my journey with Fractional SaaS, I’ve witnessed firsthand the hunger and the untapped potential in these communities. With the invaluable networks, resources, tools, and connections provided by DMZ Innisfil, startups are empowered to thrive and succeed!” –  Andrew Rains, Co-Founder of Fractional SaaS. 

Fractional SaaS is just one success story out of many. DMZ Innisfil is proud to welcome their most recent cohort of innovative businesses: What’s For Dinner Today, Behind Every Home Inc. o/a siikafoods, Directline Telecommunications, NewRidge Refinishing Group, Innisfil BJJ, MuniPaaS, NT Temps, Moon Cafe and Craft Beer, Roof Rejuvenation, Local Plumbing & Drains, Innisfil Wellness, and DriVR Academy.

Innisfil’s success shows that entrepreneurs no longer need to leave their hometowns to build successful businesses. Through their partnership with DMZ, they have developed tailored, localized entrepreneurship programming with a global mindset.

Check out just a few ways DMZ Innisfil is delivering big city resources to their town:  

  • Community: A vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs and business pros where you’ll feel right at home 
  • Mentorship: Expert guidance and support from Experts-in-Residence, an in-house legal team, and a network of peers who are driven to succeed
  • Fundraising: Connect with investors, unlock exclusive grants and get the chance to pitch at high-profile events like Collision.
  • International connections: Plug into DMZ’s global network of incubators in 10+ countries around the world for resources and introductions in new markets.  

Rural municipalities are often focused on building strong and vibrant communities that provide opportunities for growth and development while retaining the best and brightest talent. Recognizing this, DMZ champions municipalities by working with them to design tailored business support programming, empowering them to help their community capitalize on global resources while focusing on local economic growth.

The story of Innisfil’s success is a reminder that great ideas can come from anywhere and that the future of entrepreneurship is not limited to large urban centers. 

If you’re a municipal leader looking to empower your small business owners with the tools and connections to become world-class ventures while staying integrated within your local communities, DMZ is here to help. We’re committed to bringing innovation and entrepreneurship to all corners of Canada.

Applications for DMZ Innisfil’s Startup Incubator program close on July 21, 2023. Don’t wait – apply here. Interested in learning more? You can find out more about DMZ Innisfil here and more about the DMZ here.

 

Your 2023 Manifestation Guide to Founder Success

This is the sign you’ve been looking for.

If you’re an avid social user — or even an occasional scroller — you’ve likely heard of manifestation. What is believed to have started as a Hinduism practice has now turned into a worldwide phenomenon trickling into the world of business.

So, what is manifestation? Simply put, manifestation is the practice of turning thoughts into reality. It requires you to be intentional with your emotions, beliefs, habits, and of course, actions. But it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Whether you believe in manifestation or see yourself as more of a goal-setter, there’s no denying the power of positive intent followed by disciplined action. Dreaming is one thing, but the day-to-day grind of a startup can be dark and challenging.

If you’re ready to hustle, keep reading to discover your 2023 manifestation guide to founder success.

Let your mind wander

Ever catch yourself daydreaming about your startup becoming the next big thing? What about securing a million-dollar funding round or landing your next big client? Don’t stop! Exercising your brain to get excited about the future is key to manifesting. Take a few moments each day to sink into your daydreams and discover what truly fuels your passion.

“When you’re passionate about your dreams, it doesn’t feel like work. Organize your life around your passion, turn your passion into your story and use that story to leave a legacy.” — Ahmer Rafiq, CEO, Souqh

Be intentional with your goals

How can you map your aspirations? Goal-setting looks different for everyone — but whether you create a detailed Excel sheet, draw up a mind map, or jot down notes in your journal, being intentional is key. Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) to achieve your desired outcome, and don’t forget to stay disciplined.

Fail quickly, learn fast

As a founder, there’s no question you’re going to fail — we all do! While it may seem like the end of the world, failure truly is the secret ingredient to success. Think of failure as a tool that helps uncover next steps by telling us exactly what’s working and what’s not. After all, Yin doesn’t exist without Yang.

“With every failure, I’m one step closer to success.” — Kelly Emery, Founder & CEO, Troop

Stay positive

Turn “I wish” phrases to “let’s do it” and “what if I fail?” to “when I succeed.” Focusing on the negative is easy, especially as a founder who inevitably hits what feels like every bump in the road. When you catch yourself drifting to that place of negativity, shift your mindset to practice gratitude and confidence. There’s nothing more powerful than believing in yourself and your business.

“Success is not defined by the end result – within every initiative, you will find an opportunity to grow, to learn and to push yourself one step closer to your goals and your success.” — Ahmer Rafiq, CEO, Souqh

Put yourself in the driver’s seat

Be accountable and disciplined. Of course, the most essential practice in manifestation is action. Joining an incubator like the DMZ helps hold founders like you accountable to your goals and provides a playbook to put dreams into action. Take ownership. You got this.

“I meditate daily, allocate time for sales calls, and have regular touch points with advisors who hold me accountable.” — Kelly Emery, Founder & CEO, Troop

 

Can you really manifest your startup dreams? Try it.

If you’re looking for a sign to join the DMZ, this is it. Check out our programs here.

Hear from Roadmunk’s Co-Founder & CEO, Latif Nanji, on his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit

Event recap: The DMZ’s Founder Dinner

Latif Nanji, Co-Founder and CEO of SaaS platform Roadmunk, connects the dots of his entrepreneurial journey at the DMZ’s Founder Dinner, uncovering his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit.

Founded in 2012, Roadmunk is product management software that solves how product innovators build and communicate their strategy. Roadmunk has an impressive track record, from being listed as one of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 and their acquisition by Tempo in 2021 to serving over 3,000+ customers, including Amazon, Visa, Nike, Adobe and Morgan Stanley, to name a few.

Latif’s history is also not one to miss. Before Roadmunk, he co-founded several companies, including Pokerspace, an online social network for poker players, and Pragmatic CEO, a Toronto meet-up group for tech entrepreneurs. He also spent five years as a Product Manager at Miovision, working on intelligent traffic infrastructure, where he developed his passion for helping product managers build the right things for customers. Latif enjoys biohacking, rock climbing, scuba diving and angel investing in his spare time.

Looking for inspiration to build the next big thing? Check out Latif’s insights on his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit from our latest DMZ Founder Dinner – an event series designed to bring DMZ’s community together for an evening of food, drinks and connections. ​​Watch Latif’s full founder talk below, or keep reading, to discover his top tips for being a successful entrepreneur and building an acquirable business.  

Go team!

“One of the early things I instantiated in the business was a core value called ‘Start with empathy.’ It was a family-like core value, and I thought it was a great idea.

Eventually, I realized that the mentality I had was one of protectionism — a high empathy and high loyalty culture. There’s nothing wrong with these values, but as an investor, I want to know if you are going to make the hard decisions.

Sometimes the teams need to change their structure or formation, just like they do in a sports team, to get to the outcome. If you want to level up through the divisions in soccer, you are going to different players as you progress. It’s not that you can’t thank the players before, but the new ones have to come in.”

The secret to reliable hiring: homework

“There were a few key things we did to fix our ongoing issue of short-lived new hires:

  • Anyone who walked through our doors looking to be hired was assigned homework on neutral ground that had nothing to do with our company or product.
  • This homework was assigned in an open-ended exercise that allowed us to have a dialogue and observe how responsive a potential hire is, how they write emails and how they ask questions.
  • We invited team members from other departments to sit in on meetings and presentations to get a chance to spar with candidates and provide feedback. This was the single most important thing we did when hiring in the early stages of the business.“ 

Students don’t interview the teacher

“We had to hire a software architect in 2020. I interviewed him, and I thought he was great, but I didn’t think he was that impressive from a cultural perspective.

I had my two top senior engineers interview him, and they came back to me and said, ‘We don’t think he’s the right fit.’

My COO walks in, and he asks us what we were doing. I said, ‘We’re interviewing.’ He said, ‘No, you’re not; students don’t interview the teacher.’

It was a simple concept, but it felt like a hammer hitting me in the head. So, we brought in the VP of Platform at Ritual and two external CTOs, who gave him a test on how to scale Google Drive. They came back with a report and said, ‘If you don’t hire him, we will.’ 

This was a great lesson in making sure not just other people that feel like they’re more senior, but people that have experience in the domain that understand your business and your business needs, are part of that process.” 

The key to winning the valuation game is pacing

“The problem isn’t with raising a little bit more money; it’s when you get further down the valuation trap.

If you raise five, six, seven million bucks when you only need  $1m, your post-money is maybe between $30 to $35 million instead of $5-10m. That means in the next 24 to 36 months or less, you’re going to grow >$30 million in valuation. That’s where things get really complicated. Going incrementally at a reasonable pace is how I think the best startups function before they see some version of a breakout growth path.”

Hear from Roadmunk’s Co-Founder & CEO, Latif Nanji, on his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit

Want a front-row seat at the next DMZ Founder Dinner to hear from other inspiring founders? Apply now to join our next Incubator cohort at dmz.to/incubator.

 

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Basecamp 2022: Presenting this year’s winners

8 weeks, 20 students, 57 workshops, 4800+ combined hours working on startups, and $35K in grant prizes

It’s been yet another successful summer for students in the Basecamp program. With so many incredible business ideas being conceptualized and brought to life by student entrepreneurs, it’s clear there’s no shortage of talent in this up-and-coming generation of startup founders. 

Open to the top high school and university students each summer, Basecamp is an intensive, 8-week tech incubation program helping youth develop, market and accelerate innovative solutions to growing social or economic gaps in society.

At the end of the 2022 program, participating teams had the opportunity to pitch their startup ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to take home one of seven grants of $5,000 to help startups launch into the next phase of their growth.

So, who are the winning teams of this year’s Basecamp program? 

Resource ASK – Khalil Bruce

Winner of the Black Founder Award – $5,000

Resource ASK is an organization that decentralizes Black entrepreneurs’ access to business resources. Through our interactive platform, Black entrepreneurs are able to receive curated business resources such as funding, capital, loans and networking opportunities that are relevant to them. 

seaSub – Kelley Liang, Edison Han, Sydney Choe
Winners of the High School Award & the Supply Ai Award – $10,000

seaSub is a free online Chrome extension which acts as an enhanced search engine for online shopping, helping users find the perfect product based on their personal preferences, stock/availability, and shipping times.

Docere – Luka Lamaj 

Winner of the Peer Choice Award & the University Team Award – $10,000

Docere is a video-call communication platform that eases interaction between doctors and patients via simple and accessible features such as 3D Body Graphs, maps of nearby doctors, scheduling calendars, and more.

Pinion – Arezoo Najafi

Winner of the Women Founder Award – $5,000

Pinion is a platform that provides coaching services to international students. The best coaches for students are those who have gone through the same path, and Pinion helps international students not feel lonely in their path.

 

NoTreble – Kiana Karimi
Winner of the Women Founder Award – $5,000

NoTreble is a sound recognition and machine-enabled software that helps instrument learners practice more efficiently, decreasing their tendency to practice mistakes over and over again. It can listen and analyze student playing and give instantaneous instructions on how to avoid practicing mistakes. It also gives practice updates and results to the student’s teacher. This way, students can improve faster with fewer costs and greater ease of mind!

 

If you’re a student and ready to do big things in the world of entrepreneurship, join the DMZ community by getting started with Launchpad, a free online platform jam-packed with expert-curated content helping you gain the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. Visit dmz.to/launchpad to get started.

 

4 ways you can take your website copy from good to great

DMZ guest blog by: Karina Barker, DMZ EiR


As one of the DMZ’s tactical EiRs, I get the incredible job of working with founders to help them amp up their copywriting. Not only do I offer strategic advice around brand positioning, voice, content, etc., I also get to roll up my sleeves and
do the writing alongside the founders.

Over my time in this capacity, I’ve noticed several common questions emerge as startups work to articulate their value proposition. While their vision might be clear in their minds, crafting website copy that has customers sitting up and taking action can be more of a challenge.

With more than 16 years under my belt as a copywriter and communications specialist, I’ve written for every kind of organization, from government, to startups, to Fortune 500 companies. I’ve seen firsthand how small mistakes can limit your copy’s impact—and how some simple tweaks can make all the difference. Seriously!

Here are 4 tips you can use to take your website from good to great:

 

1. Nail your homepage headline and sub-headline

According to the Nielsen-Norman Group, users leave websites on average after about 10-20 seconds. That means you’ve got less than 10 seconds to make your value proposition clear and convince visitors to stay. 

Your homepage headline and sub-headline are the first things visitors will see when they land on your page. That means these are your best shot to convince a visitor to stay (and hopefully convert). 

One of the most common mistakes I see companies make is focusing their website on them

A common format you’ll see is: We offer [this service] by doing [this thing]. Or, similarly: At [company], we help [this type of person] do [this thing].

But the goal of your website isn’t to share information about you. The goal of your website is to attract and convert customers. And that means you need to turn the spotlight on your customer —and talk about them.

Take a look at this homepage headline from Wealthsimple. 


Image: Wealthsimple

They don’t say “We help you do money right.” 

Instead the headline is direct and it implies “I’m going to do money right (with Wealthsimple’s help).” That subtle shift makes the reader see themselves in the headline.

The subheading then goes on to clearly articulate the actual “thing” that Wealthsimple offers (“powerful financial tools”) and the action-packed benefits that the customer can expect to derive (“grow and manage your money”).

While Wealthsimple makes it look easy, this kind of copy can take time and work (not to mention testing). If you don’t know where to start, a great first step is “voice of customer” research. Interview your customers, survey your product testers, read your online for views and search for the words your target audience uses to talk about benefits. This gives you a foundation to begin crafting and testing your headlines.

 

2. Don’t underestimate the power of social proof

Social proof is a powerful form of persuasion. When you include social proof in your webcopy, you tap into one of humanity’s deepest desires: to belong. 

We all put a lot of value on what we see people we trust doing and supporting. When we’re trying to decide between all the different options out there, we look to see what other people are doing. In fact, 91% of consumers read reviews before making a purchasing decision.  

If you’ve ever wondered why brands are willing to pay influencers big bucks for endorsements, this is it.

Here are some ideas for how to include social proof for businesses, even if you’re just getting started:

  • List any awards or prizes that your business has received
  • Share press/media/interviews covering your company
  • Run a social media campaign (and offer incentives) to encourage users to rate or review your product 
  • Request reviews or testimonials from existing customers
  • Create case studies based on real-life clients—or if you haven’t worked with any clients yet, craft use case studies that use a character that customers will identify with. (Note: always be clear if a study is based on a hypothetical rather than real world client.)
  • Share logos of high-profile clients that you’ve worked with
  • Share the number of users you’ve reached or clients you’ve served

Certain types of social proof will be worth more to certain audiences. Think about what can do to move the needle the most, and work towards collecting and presenting that type of social proof.

 

3. Keep your calls-to-action consistent

A call-to-action (CTA) is the moment when all of the work you’ve put into the rest of your copy gets put to the test. The CTA is where you encourage visitors to take your desired action. 

In order to craft a successful CTA you need to: 

  • Know what you want a visitor to do. Sign up for a free trial? Subscribe to your newsletter? Book a call with your sales team? 
  • Make it stand out. Pick the right spot, colour, visuals to draw visitor’s eyes to your CTA.
  • Be direct. CTAs are usually imperatives that begin with an action word. “Sign Up Now,” “Learn More,” “Start Your Free Trial.” Your CTA is not the place to get too wordy. 
  • Offer incentives. Make it easy for visitors to say yes by adding a line or two below your CTA: reassure visitors (e.g. cancel any time) or offer a desirable incentive (e.g. 10% of your first order)
  • Create urgency. Make visitors take action while they’re on your site. Use time words (e.g. sign up now, grab your instant download) to create a sense of urgency or signal time constraints (e.g. limited time offer)

But one of the most common mistakes I see is a lack of consistency in your CTA copy. If you want visitors to follow through, your CTA must be crystal clear–and repeated over and over. 

You can’t possibly miss Hubspot’s CTA. Not only is it in bright orange, it’s repeated word-for-word in their header and navigation bar. Even though their CTA is a little on the longer side, you know exactly what you’re supposed to do next (“Start free or get a demo”):


Image: Hubspot

In essence, when crafting your CTA, ask: What should the user do, and why? Your CTA should work in tandem with the rest of your webcopy to drive that message home. Inconsistent messaging (or multiple, competing CTAs in close proximity) can confuse your target audience or, worse, make them lose trust in your business. 


4. Boost interest with a unique brand voice

Once you’ve nailed the technical copywriting pieces, you can take your website (and your brand) to the next level by honing your brand voice. 

While it can seem daunting, developing your brand voice doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Reflect your audience. Go back to customer profiles and reflect on the voice used by your ideal clients. Is your target audience young and sassy or mature and sophisticated? 
  • Name three characteristics of your ideal brand voice. Authoritative? Trustworthy? Quirky? Cool? Passionate? Informative? Pick three attributes that capture the essence of your business. 
  • Define the dos and don’ts of your brand voice. Once you have your three characteristics, you can get more detailed on how this translates to your copy. For example, if you pick “trustworthy” as one of your attributes, your dos and don’ts may include: 
    • Do: use honesty, direct language, be transparent, share mistakes, follow-through
    • Don’t: push the hard sell, use jargon, over promise, trash talk competitors

As you grow, you can build out your brand voice into a document to share with anyone who is handling communications for your business. And remember, as you grow and change, your brand voice may develop too. 

If you need help with your copywriting, I’d love to chat! Learn more about how DMZ’s EiRs can support your business here

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