Courses and training

The Let’s Start Up Program is an innovative training program divided into three steps.

A 3-steps process

Step 1 : Develop your professional potential

8-week course | 7 workshops | individual meetings

Entrepreneurial spirit is useful in all professional and personal contexts, and everybody can develop such a spirit. Workshops and meetings allow you to discover your possibilities, then develop your confidence and your ability to act.

Professional assessment
SuccessFinder Psychometric test
Work on 18 essential skills
Explore possible and realistic professional avenues
Certification of skills development from Concordia University

The workshops

Lesson 1: Welcome and introduction
Introduction to the training course and first contact with the group.

Lesson 2: Discovery of entrepreneurial skills
Discovery of entrepreneurial skills and completion of the SuccessFinder psychometric test.

Lesson 3: Vision board
Creation of a vision board in order to explore and visualize ideas for entrepreneurial, school or professional projects, according to each person’s life priorities.

Lesson 4: Professional plan structure
Presentation of the vision board and exploration of the strengths and skills of the participants so that they can choose concrete actions to put into action in the upcoming weeks, in connection with their professional project.

Lesson 5 : Experimentation
Putting the professional project into action: development of short-term objectives, awareness of the steps to be taken to complete the project, discussion in connection with the financial aspect.

Lesson 6 : Opening and putting the project into action
Confirm that the project is consistent with the participant’s needs, learn about the services offered in the region in relation to entrepreneurial, academic and professional projects.

Lesson 7: Resources, visibility and course report
Confirm that the project is consistent with the needs of the participant, discover the services offered in the region in connection with entrepreneurial, educational and professional projects, take stock of the progress made since the beginning of the course.

Lesson 8 : Celebration
Celebration of the completion of stage 1 of the Let’s Start Up program and networking activity.

Step 2 : Get into action

Whichever stream you choose, you will enhance your learning and skills through training and coaching

Entrepreneurship stream

10-week course
10 group workshops
Individual coaching

Ideation and development of business plan
Certification of professional development from Concordia University
Coaching by entrepreneurship experts
Access to microloans: up to $10,000

Main topics covered during the training

Validation of the business idea
Group reflection and exchange on the business idea and on the elements that build a business project. This is a first look at the research and the work that will need to be done in creating the business plan.

The project
Development of the general description of the project as well as the products or services to be offered. This is the moment when participants will establish the mission, vision and values of their company.

Market research
Assessment of the target market by the company. Now is the time to define the target customers, the competition and the competitive advantages of the business.

Marketing
Find marketing strategies appropriate to the reality of the entrepreneurs and prepare participants to present their company, their services and/or products to future partners, investors or clients in an efficient manner.

Operational plan
Make entrepreneurs aware of the costs associated with the production of their product or service in addition to allowing them to understand how to calculate the cost price, the break-even point and the start-up costs.

Financial plan
Make participants aware of the concepts of accounting and give them the necessary tools to produce a realistic portrait of their company’s finances.

Postsecondary education stream

Duration : according to the chosen program of study
Individual coaching

Choice of a full-time post-secondary program
Monthly follow-up by a counsellor
Access to financial aid ranging from $4,000 to $13,000 / year

Employment stream

Individual coaching and referral to appropriate resources

Coaching by a professional development advisor
Search for a professional goal that will lead you to sustainable financial independence
Review of acquired skills
Exploration of job opportunities that meet your expectations

Step 3 : Stay engaged

Join the Let’s Start Up Community: a dynamic group of women that promotes networking, the creation of solid ties and provides access to trainings on relevant subjects through webinars, conferences and coffee chats.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION