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Business coaching in commercialization | Call for projects - Esplanade Québec
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>CALL FOR PROJECTS: CLIMATE INNOVATION SUPER COHORT

 

Are you developing a solution  for the green transition?

Step up a gear and join the Super Cohort! 

In partnership with:

 

  Logo Québec blanc

>CALL FOR PROJECTS: CLIMATE INNOVATION SUPER COHORT

 

Are you developing a solution for the green transition?

?

Step up a gear and join the Super Cohort!

En partenariat avec

In partnership with:

Logo Québec blanc

Commercialization or growth phase

Over 10 workshops

Up to 50 hours of coaching

6 months

Grow your business and accelerate the transition!

The Climate Innovation Super Cohort is the result of an ongoing collaboration of Esplanade Québec and Cycle Momentum, leading accelerators working to advance the development of impact innovation and clean technologies in Quebec.

 

The 2025 Super Cohort is the fourth edition of this unique program in Quebec, with 34 companies supported so far. In this edition, 10 to 12 more companies addressing transition challenges will join the community. Will you be one of them?

By joining the 2025 edition of the Super Cohort program, you have access to:

A rich acceleration program

 

 

 Workshops, resources, tools and personalized coaching from our experts and mentors.

Quantification of avoided GHG emissions

 

Conduct your GHG study according to the ISO14064-2 standard (eligibility under conditions)

Support from a community of entrepreneurs

 

Engage, mentor, and collaborate with climate innovation actors

Increased visibility

 

 

Notably through our platforms and two « demo » events at the end of the program

Privileged access to our partners

 

 

Preparing pilot or showcase projects with Esplanade Quebec‘s Environment partners 

A network of impact-oriented investors

 

Including Cycle Momentum‘s circle of partner fonds

Would you like to know more?

View our online information session!

Moreover, companies that have developed a technological innovation in energy efficiency or emissions reduction could receive $20,000 at the end of the program.

See eligibility requirements

Based on the evaluation of the degree of innovation, level of novelty, uniqueness, maturity of the innovation, and whether it meets a commercial or industrial need in Quebec, as well as the measurable impacts the technology could have on energy consumption and GHG emissions in Quebec.

Get personalized coaching with our coaches, mentors and experts

We work with a network of experienced mentors and business coaches with a variety of expertise (business plan, impact, finance, marketing, governance, etc.) who have faced the same challenges as you, as entrepreneurs themselves or in executive positions.

 

We also bring in experienced professionals to deliver our workshops or provide feedback.

Anouk_photo_mi-corps

Marketing strategy, product development

Anouk Robillard
1
RémiRichard_coach_2:3

Business start-up financing and marketing

Rémi Richard
1
Marieke Tremblay

Business development, Marketing and communication, Strategic partnerships

Marieke Tremblay
Thibaud_joubert_coach

Agri-Food Sales and Strategic Partnerships

Thibaud Joubert
JenniferMcDonald_headshot_cropped-2

Investments, product development

Jennifer McDonald
Jean-François-Grou-400×600

Strategy, business model, business development

Jean-François Grou
patriciadorne

Business development, Commercialization, Marketing, Digital health

Patricia Dorne Simillon
Thomas Roy

International marketing and development, energy efficiency, AI, software and environmental technology

Thomas Roy
1
ChristopheGoffoz

Impact investment, Business development, Health

Christophe Goffoz
Laetitia Bedout

Growth, operations and HR management

Laetitia Bedout
1
Louis Fortier_coach (1)

Marketing strategies, growth, financing

Louis Fortier
1
Sabine-Kerner-coach-esplanade-quebec

Strategic planning, social integration

Sabine Kerner
1

By the end of the program, entrepreneurs leave with…

A validated business model

A marketing strategic plan

A better financing strategy

A plan to scale your impact

A strong network and introduction to stakeholders

Test your solution with corporate and industrial partners

The Super Cohort was founded on the desire to accelerate the socio-ecological transition through a collective approach, bringing together entrepreneurs and industry players in various sectors.

Whether your solution is in mobility, building, circular economy or urban planning and resilience, we activate our network of contacts to help connect issues and solutions.*

Sustainable mobility

Sustainable buildings

Circular economy

Urban planning and resilience

We offer increased support for the development of experimentation and showcase projects (technological or commercial), with our network of industry partners.

*Your project doesnt align with these themes but addresses a climate innovation issue in Quebec ? We encourage you to submit your application.

Evaluation criteria

We select projects based on the quality and potential of their impact, as well as on the team’s ability to grow their company.

 

Execution potential of the founding team (business experience and knowledge of the sector).

 

Product innovation and value proposition.

 

Potential social and environmental impact of the project.

 

Ability of the solution to specifically respond to one (or more) Montreal and Quebec ecological transition issues.

 

Development stage and business model validation in the market.

 

Level of commitment, motivation and interpersonal skills of the team.

Program Details

Who should apply for the Climate Innovation Super Cohort?

This program is for you if you are an entrepreneur in Quebec, with impact at the heart of your business model and you are looking for support in your deployment phase:

Entrepreneurs: You have an entrepreneurial project, you are committed to this project full-time and are ready to be 100% involved in the program. Preferably, you are a multidisciplinary and dedicated team.

Territorial anchoring and local benefits: Your team is located in Quebec*. Your solution applies to the Quebec context, and your model has local socio-economic and environmental benefits.

Impact: Your solution has a significant and measurable impact on one of the issues related to climate change, on the reduction of GHG emissions or on climate adaptation and resilience
(see the issues and industry sectors listed below)

Technological and/or social innovation: You develop and commercialize a new solution, which is an innovative response to a real problem in your target market (evidence-based, clear value proposition). Your innovation may be a product or process, software or hardware, technological or social. You own the commercial rights to it.

Business model: Your proposed model is economically viable, regardless of the legal form of your company (Inc, Coop, NPO, other). The target market is defined, reachable and of significant size.

Stage of advancement: Your project is in the commercialization or growth phase. Your proof of concept is largely validated, you can demonstrate commercial traction, have a prototype or MVP to launch and your sales are about to take off. In the case of a joint-stock company, you are in the seed fundraising phase or are planning one soon.

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*Note that some of the places are reserved for teams located in the Montreal area or with major activities in Montreal.

What are the target sectors eligible for the Super Cohort program?

We are particularly looking for solutions in the following sectors and themes*:

Sustainable Mobility

  Electrification and decarbonisation of the transport sector

 

  Urban logistics

 

  Shared mobility

Urban planning and resilience

  Redevelopment and resilience of neighborhoods

 

  Combating heat islands

 

  Urban forest development

 

  Urban agriculture

 

  Water management

 

 

 

 

 

*Your project doesnt align with these themes but addresses a climate innovation issue in Quebec ? We encourage you to submit your application.

Sustainable buildings and construction

  New sustainable buildings

 

  Renovation and energy efficiency of buildings

 

  Renewable energies

 

  Rehabilitation of contaminated land

Circular Economy

  Development of new modes of consumption 

 

  Ecodesign of products and processes

 

  Recovery of organic and recyclable materials

 

  Residual material management

 

  CO2 recovery

 

  Energy loops/recovery

What are the objectives of the program?

The Super Cohort program aims to both maximize the success chances of early-stage companies by addressing their challenges through specialized support, and to mobilize and unite ecosystem actors in a collaborative approach to facilitate the alignment of practices and solutions. Ultimately, responding more effectively to the transition challenges of the community.

 

The program will take you to: 

 

  Better understand your value proposition and how your solution effectively contributes to the energy transition.

 

  Strengthen your business model and structure its scaling to maximize impact.

 

  Accelerate your commercialisation

 

  Develop your ability to define, measure and optimize your impact.

 

  Consolidate your financing strategy and access cleantech investors.

 

  Develop your partnership approach to test/validate your solution with clients and partners

 

  Collaborate with a community committed to advancing and deploying low-carbon solutions in Montreal and Quebec.

What is the content of the program ?
We offer entrepreneurs intensive support over 6 months:

A 2-day bootcamp that provides an opportunity for companies to connect with stakeholders and experts to deepen the reflection of their impact in the ecosystem.

  Over 10 workshops, collective work and support sessions, addressing the many issues facing companies in the acceleration phase.

  Hours of personalized coaching with experienced business people and experts (up to 50 hours over the course of the program)

  Pitch preparation for presenting your company and communicating your message effectively (sales, media or investor pitch), including two pitch events at the end of the program. 

  Opportunities for networking and targeted connections with our partners.

The coaching addresses these 8 main areas:
Business model and value proposition

Commercialization and marketing

Impact strategy and communication

Strategic partnerships

Financing and growth management

Intellectual Property

Governance and human resources

Personal development and leadership

What is the selection process?
Selection process

Applications must be submitted via the web form before midnight on January 12, 2025. The selection process is divided into 2 phases:

1 – Pre-selection on the basis of applications:a first selection will be made upon receipt of the application files. Applications will be analyzed according to the evaluation criteria and you will receive confirmation of your pre-selection around January 16, 2025.

2 – Final selection – Pitch in front of a jury: shortlisted candidates will be invited to present themselves in front of a jury on January 24 for a pitch and a question and answer session. An expert jury will select 10 to 12 companies that will make up the 2025 Super cohort. The jury’s final decision will be announced by January 30, 2025.

Important Dates

*Approx. 5 hours per week. Workshops are held online, unless otherwise stated. Coaching can be done online or in person. The bootcamp and pitchs are done in person in Montreal.

What Super Cohort participants are saying?

« The Super Cohort was a pivotal moment in our journey. Our coach, Thibaud Joubert, was extremely involved. It was very beneficial to have this new, objective and external perspective. »

Tangui Conrad, co-founder of Coop Boomerang

Coaching d'entreprise
« Being part of the Super Cohort in Environment has been a rewarding experience for both me and Bopaq. What I valued most was the personalized support and the quality of interactions with mentors and other entrepreneurs. Esplanade Québec’s collaborative approach truly allowed us to advance our project while staying aligned with our environmental impact values. »

Mishel Wong, Bopaq, Super Cohort 2024

Coaching d'entreprise
« This program allowed us to develop tools for the future while building a solid foundation for our company today. The quality, vast experience, and dedication of the coaches and facilitators set this program apart. The experience helped us to push ourselves personally and for our organization. »

Véronique Côté, Medusia, Super Cohorte 2024

Coaching d'entreprise

Need more informations?

View our online information and Q&A session!

You can reach out to:

Coaching d'entreprise

Clémence Buisson

Program manager

Esplanade Québec

[email protected]

Morgan Guitton

 Programs vice president

Cycle Momentum

[email protected]

Convinced?

Don’t forget to submit your application to this Climate Innovation Super Cohort by January 12, 2025!
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About us 

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Esplanade Québec is the first accelerator for impact entrepreneurs in Quebec, with the mission of catalyzing a community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and organizations to collectively address social and environmental challenges and support them in sustaining their solutions and maximizing their impacts.

 

We develop various support programs for impact businesses, from the startup stage to scaling up, and « Accélération » is our flagship program, with 13 cohorts completed since 2016 and 107 accelerated companies.

Coaching d'entreprise

Cycle Momentum is an accelerator and open innovation platform that brings together an international collective of entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. Our mission is to find innovative solutions to the major ecological challenges facing humanity.

As a member of the Cycle Capital platform, Cycle Momentum offers acceleration and open innovation programs to support the growth of entrepreneurs, financing, and the commercialization of climate technologies.

 

We facilitate the necessary collaborations between industries and start-ups to accelerate the commercialization of their solutions. Cycle Momentum invests through Origo, an investment matching program supported by the Government of Quebec.

Our partners

Thank you to our environmental sector partners