League of Innovators, a program co-founded by Hootsuite’s Ryan Holmes dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs, has launched its LOI Labs virtual program with its first group of youth-led ventures across Canada.
The next group of young innovators and entrepreneurs will begin the program in February 2019.
LOI Labs is a 12-week early stage incubator program designed to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses in Canada and beyond. The accelerator program is cost-free, and does not take equity in the businesses. LOI Labs is open to all youth under the age of 25 regardless of location, academic performance, or economic position.
“I was a young entrepreneur myself, and while I’m still young at heart, I’m now in the fortunate position to help accelerate and support young innovators and disruptors, by leveling the playing field and helping them to overcome unique challenges such as credibility, access to funds, and networks,” Holmes said.
The program provides LOI Labs founders with a series of accessible programs and tools, including one-on-one coaching, in-residence support, mentorship, access to LOI networks, and a diverse and growing peer network of youth entrepreneurs across the country. LOI Labs works with multiple partners regionally and nationally, including major partnerships with Royal Bank of Canada and Shaw Communications.
“We’re excited to be working with League of Innovators to help bring RBC Future Launch to life,” said Valerie Chort, vice president of corporate citizenship at RBC. “We have a responsibility to prepare young people for the opportunities and ambiguities of the future. RBC Future Launch is a decade-long commitment to help Canadian youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”
LOI Labs will be accepting new applications for the 2019 program from November 12 to December 15, 2018. The next group of young innovators and entrepreneurs will begin the program in February 2019.
