> CALL FOR PROJECTS: CLIMATE INNOVATION SUPER COHORT – 2024 EDITION
> CALL FOR PROJECTS: CLIMATE INNOVATION SUPER COHORT – 2024 EDITION
Application Deadline: December 18, 2023, 9 am
In partnership with :
The Climate Innovation Super Cohort is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Esplanade Québec and Cycle Momentum, leading accelerators working to advance the development of impact innovation and clean technologies in Quebec.
A rich acceleration program that provides startups with workshops, resources and tools with personalized coaching developed by industry experts and mentors.
Collaborating with Esplanade Québec and Cycle Momentum’s community, which includes entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts who are keen to share and guide innovative companies.
Preparing pilot or showcase projects, notably with the support of the City of Montreal, RECYC-QUÉBEC and the partners of the Esplanade Environment Cluster.
Conducting quantification study to analyze the GHG emissions potentially avoided by your solution according to the ISO14064-2 standard (eligibility under conditions).
A network of impact-oriented investors, including Cycle Momentum’s circle of partner funds, and dedicated funding matching programs (eligibility under conditions).
Increased branding and visibility, notably through our platforms and two « demo » events at the end of the program.
Whether your solution is in mobility, building, the circular economy or urban planning and resilience, we activate our network of contacts to help link issues and solutions.
We offer increased support for the development of experimentation and showcase projects (technological or commercial), with our network of sectoral and territorial partners, and in particular with the Ville de Montréal, a major partner of the Super cohort.
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 been in your shoes, asked the same questions and faced the same challenges.
We also bring in professionals to speak in our workshops or provide feedback to entrepreneurs in group sessions.
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, either on the fight and reduction of GHGs or on adaptation and resilience (see the sectors and issues listed below).
Technological and/or social innovation: Your solution is a product or process, technological, software, organizational or social innovation that responds to a real problem. Its value proposition is clear and you own the commercial exploitation rights.
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.
*Note that some of the places are reserved for teams located in the Montreal area or with major activities in Montreal.
We are particularly looking for solutions in the following sectors and themes:
Electrification and decarbonisation of the transport sector
Urban logistics
Shared mobility
New sustainable buildings
Renovation and energy efficiency of buildings
Renewable energies
Rehabilitation of contaminated land
Eco and product design
Recovery of organic and recyclable materials
Development of new modes of consumption (rental, shared consumption, etc.)
Residual material management
CO2 recovery
Redevelopment and resilience of neighbourhoods
Combating heat islands
Urban agriculture
Urban forest development
Water management
This list is not exhaustive.
The 2024 Super Cohort edition aims to support companies execute their business plans and facilitate their connections with industry and stakeholders.
Better understand your value proposition and how your solution effectively contributes to the energy transition,
Strengthen your business model and develop plans to scale its maximise impact,
Accelerate your commercialisation,
Develop your ability to define, measure and optimise 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.
A 2-day boot camp that provides an opportunity for companies to connect with stakeholders and experts to deepen the reflection of their impact in the ecosystem
Over 12 workshops, which are customized to brainstorm solutions in order to advance the growth of the company
Hours of personalized coaching with experienced business people and experts (up to 60 hours over the course of the program)
Sales, media and investor pitch preparation with an exclusive showcase event in front of cleantech investors and economic development agencies
Networking opportunities and targeted connections with our partners
Applications must be submitted via the web form before midnight on 18 December. 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 analysed according to the evaluation criteria mentioned below and you will receive confirmation of your pre-selection around December 22.
2.Pitch selection in front of a jury: shortlisted candidates will be invited to present themselves in front of a jury on January, 11 for a pitch and a question and answer session. An expert jury will select 10 to 12 companies that will make up the 2024 Super cohort. The jury’s final decision will be announced by January, 17 2024.
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,
Impact potential of the technological solution to advance the energy transition in the Montreal and Quebec region,
Development stage and business model validation in the market,
Level of commitment, motivation and interpersonal skills of the team.
From November 2, 2023, to December 18, 2023, 9 am
December 22, 2023
January 11 (For pre-selected companies), in person (Montreal)
By January 17, 2024
February 1 and 2, in person (Montreal)
February 8 to June 30**
Mid-May and mid-July
*Approx. 5 hours per week. Workshops are held online, unless otherwise stated. Coaching can be done online or in person.
Coaching costs are largely covered by our funding partners in the form of donations and grants. Participating organisations have to pay a residual fee of $750 + tax.
An online information and Q&A session was held on November, 21 2023.
You can also consult our FAQ or write to :
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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.
Esplanade develops various support programs for impact businesses, from the startup stage to scaling up, and « Accélération » is its flagship program, with 11 cohorts completed since 2016 and 87 accelerated companies.
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.
Member of the Cycle Capital Platform, Cycle Momentum provides entrepreneurs with training workshops, networking sessions and mentoring, and works with leading companies to stimulate technology acquisition and integration.
In order to increase the impact of its programs, Cycle Momentum has brought together several local and international investment funds as part of its Circle of Partner Funds, whose members are involved with participating startups. Cycle Momentum can count on the financial support of the Gouvernement du Quebec, Cycle Capital, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, Fasken, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good.
Since 2015, 110 startups have been accelerated, with a 93% survival rate and $400 million in total funding raised (dilutive and non-dilutive).