ELLA Ascend
powered by Desjardins
ELLA Ascend is an intense 4-month accelerator tailored for women-led product or service-based businesses, focused on strengthening core operations, enhancing digital readiness, and refining strategy for scalable growth.
What to expect
- Personalized mentorship aligned with your business goals to help you grow with confidence
- Hands-on tactical workshops designed for immediate application and impact
- Access to $60K+ in startup resources and the chance to compete for exclusive, highly-curated business advisory support worth $10K
- 50% matching support (up to $5K) toward Fractional Executive services, offering affordable access to senior-level expertise (eligibility and conditions apply)
- Build your own marketing and operations playbook, tailored to your business model and growth stage
Community
ELLA gives you access to an inclusive community of women entrepreneurs who span across many backgrounds, industries, and specializations.
Entrepreneurship Education
Set yourself up for success through curated workshops and goal-focused support from experts to help you build a solid foundation for growth.
Growth frameworks
Develop the sales, marketing, finance and operations tactics needed to build traction and reach more customers.
Milestone driven
Learn how to define growth goals and milestones for you and your business. Receive expert advice during the program to work towards making these goals a reality.
Timeline
Applications open:
May 5, 2025
Applications close:
May 26, 2025
Candidates notified:
June 2025
Program starts:
July 2025
Program ends:
November 2025
Application process
Step: One
Fill out the application form using the link below.
Step: Two
Short-listed candidates invited to interview.
Step: Three
Candidates finalized and notified.
Program eligibility
- You are a woman entrepreneur with at least 50% ownership of a registered business (product or service based), non-profit or social enterprise, and you are working full-time on your venture
- You had a minimum annual revenue of $100,000 and paying customers between January – December 2024
- Your business is in Canada
- You are open to change, push yourself, looking to step out of your comfort zone and are willing to give back to the ELLA Community with your own strengths and insight
- You can commit fully to the requirements of the accelerator program (includes mandatory participation in all programming elements and working on assignments and submission (average 5-7 hours per week)
Frequently asked
Apply Now
Applications are now open. Apply now!
OUR PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
Newsletter signup
YSpace is committed to working with emerging technology, agrifood, products and services. Get in touch today to find out how you can become a part of our community.
Contact us
For more information, please contact us at
yspace@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 ext. 44940
