Ascension
Incubation program for fintech startups
Ascension is the essential starting point for any fintech startup in Canada
Apply to Ascension 2022
Deadline: December 17, 2021
Building a startup is hard.
Building a fintech startup is even harder.
Reach Your Next Milestone
Ascension is the only incubation program in Canada dedicated to fintech startups
3 Month Program
To help with your climb, you will receive:
Mentorship
Focused guidance from industry experts to help you face challenges and embrace opportunities.
Connections
We’ll activate our network and make introductions to potential clients, investors and experts.
Support
We’ll provide you visibility, research analysis, tools and access to funding opportunities.
12 Expert Sessions
The primary value of the program lies within the weekly expert sessions.
Each week, you have a 30 minute meeting with different industry experts, where the conversation is focused around a specific theme.
Topics include
- Data management and ethics
- Regulations
- Technology
- Marketing and sales
- Funding and financing
- Partnerships
4 Workshops
We also offer workshops on business fundamentals to provide teams with a strong foundation.
I.P., Incorporation, Legal
How to hire and build your team
Financial Modelling
How to pitch
2021 Prizes
Here is an example of the prizes offered during the last Demo Day.
$7,500 CASH PRIZE
Awarded to one startup
$5,000 CASH PRIZE
Awarded to one startup
$3,500 CASH PRIZE
Awarded to one startup
Important Dates
1.
Applications
Dec 17, 2021 (deadline)
2.
Interviews
Jan 12-14, 2022
3.
Orientation
February 1, 2022
4.
Program
Feb 1 – Apr 28, 2022
5.
Demo Day
April 28, 2022
Selection Criteria
We are looking for teams that have:
- at least 2 co-founders
- a go-to-market solution or a working prototype
- done validation tests with the market
- clearly identified their customers
- from 0 to 750K in funding
FAQ
What is the time commitment?
Each week, there is a 30 minute meeting with the experts. Workshops are 90 minutes but are optional.
Where does it take place?
Ascension is currently 100% online.
What is the cost of participation?
We do not take any equity or stake in your company. The only cost is of 250$, payable at the end of the program, to pitch at the Demo Day.
Have more questions?
Ask away.
Alumni
The entire Fintech Cadence team has been instrumental in helping us build our network, develop new partnerships, and improve our messaging.
The Ascension program helped us take the necessary step back in order to make the right decisions for Emma. Their weekly monitoring, coaching and scheduled meetings with experts have made a big difference in our entrepreneurial journey. Their commitment to our success is remarkable.
Ascension allowed us to access guidance from successful mentors, key industry connections and tools to accelerate Allset's growth. We are thankful for the support and highly recommend this program to entrepreneurs in the fintech space
Past Demo Days
Ascension 2021
Featuring:
Kalsa, Mind The Gap, Orchid B, Monkiri, Blankit Health, Upky, QUBER, knnct Markets, Whatifi, Boss Insights, Rivvi, Alfi, Green Apple Pay, Fifo, Bounc3.
Ascension 2020
Featuring:
Benefi, Buy Properly, Emma, Leav, Lender’s API, Paypage, Peer Circle, Quantolio, Ratebroker, Sprout, Timechain, Tribou.
Ascension 2019
Featuring:
Lyra Insight, Daswealth, Carboscope, CHK PLZ, Kaira, Xeohive, Walo
Ascension is a program by Fintech Cadence in collaboration with le Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation – Quebec