September 17th - November 28th
WELCOME TO ASCENSION
An 11-week program dedicated to founders who are fundraising.
Securing funding as a startup is crucial for building a strong foundation and scaling up, but the process can be overwhelming. To succeed, you need a comprehensive understanding of the funding landscape and the ability to maximize available opportunities.
Ascension is designed to equip you with the knowledge, tools, and network necessary to build a compelling case for raising capital. This program is particularly valuable in today’s challenging economic climate, ensuring you are well-prepared to navigate and secure funding for your startup.
How we define funding:Â
- Non-Dilutive Financing: This type of financing does not require giving away ownership of the company. It includes options such as loans, government grants, HR internship support programs, tax credits, and more.
- Dilutive (Equity) Financing: This type of funding involves selling a portion of the company’s equity (ownership) in exchange for capital. It includes sources such as angel investors, venture capital, accelerators, financial institutions, corporate innovation arms, and others
Capital Providers who have joined Ascension
How Ascension can help you
Ascension is a no-fee no-equity program for founders seeking to launch their fundraising journey.
A pitch tailored to capital providers to maximize your investment opportunities.
Understanding of the financing options (non-dilutive and equity) available in Canada.
Planning of your financials for investment readiness.
Creation and due diligence of your data room, including technical demos and financials.
New connections with key stakeholders and capital providers.
Learnings and unique exchanges through workshops and fireside chats.
Additional support and takeaways
Guidance 
You will get tailored and personalized guidance from Fintech Cadence and top caliber experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and seasoned VCs through:
- Pitch Practice Sessions
- Office Hours
- 1-1 Meetings with Industry Experts
- Workshops
- Fireside chats
Connections 👥
A supporting network is essential while navigating the arduous task of funding a scalable business. Through Ascension you’ll have the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs and experts from the fintech landscape with:
- Peer-to-peer sessions
- Strategic connections
- Showcase Week
- Additional networking sessions
Resources 📚
 As part of the program, you will have access to the following resources:
- Exclusive access to an archive of recorded workshops for the duration of your enrolment
- Software credits with the most relevant software for fintech startups
- Access to recruitment channels on Fintech Cadence’s job board, Slack Channels and community newsletters
Visibility 📣
We aim to amplify your achievements and engage you with the national fintech ecosystem through:
- Networking sessions with industry experts, leaders in the financial landscape, and with other startups participating in the program
- Opportunity to be showcased at Fintech Cadence’s events
- Social Media exposure
Ascension in numbers
53
fintechs across Canada have graduated from the program.
$18.3M
raised from our founders
since the beginning of Ascension.
+20
leading Canadian Capital Providers have joined our Ascension showcase.
+100
top tier experts across the financial sector have participated.
We're seeking fintechs who:
- Operate a business incorporated in Canada
- Have a validated problem
- Have a working prototype of the solution and/or have proven traction
- Be an early-stage fintech looking to raise funds within the year
- Have not raised more than $1M in equity funding
- Have at least one founder or senior member on the team with technical expertise
- Have at least one founder working full time on the startup
- Have large sale growth ambition and potential
Ascension Timeline
Applications Launch
June 12th
Info
Session
July 9th
Application Deadline
August 15th
Cohort
Interviews
August 20th-29th
Program
Begins
September 17th
Showcase
Week
Nov 18th-20th
Program
ends
November 21st
Get involved
Help our entrepreneurs achieve their funding milestones and reach success through Ascension. Reach out to [email protected] for general interest.
Become a Capital Provider
Become an Expert
Become a Sponsor
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FAQ
Don’t see your question? Reach out to us using the form below to connect!
You will need to allocate 3-4 hours per week for the duration of the program. Please note, the program was designed to compliment your startups work and not add extra work to your process. This is why it is important that your startup is focusing on raising capital during the program. Note that a detailed schedule and curriculum will be provided at the start of the program.
The program will be delivered online. Note that even though the last week of the program may have in-person components, we’ll accommodate an online format for startups outside of Montreal – we can discuss further if you are selected and are located outside of Montreal.
You can participate in the program as long as you are in the pre-series A stage (not have raised more that $1 million).
Fintech Cadence does not invest in participating fintechs. Through the program, you will meet with key capital provider stakeholders (government entities, VC’s, Financial Institution venture arms, angel investors etc.), however, we can’t guarantee there will be financing given by any of these stakeholders by the end of the program.
Only the Fintech Cadence team will have access to the information submitted via the application. Also, note that the partners and experts involved in the program will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before participating.
There is no cost for startups to participate. Additionally, Fintech Cadence does not take any equity from startups.
