Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator

Plan, launch and grow your business or side hustle!

Are you an emerging entrepreneur or small business owner? Have skills you want to turn into self-employment opportunities? We’ll guide your entrepreneurial journey and help you navigate the small business economy! The Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator, supported by TD Bank, is a free, 24+ week self-employment training program, networking hub and business incubation platform rolled into one.

Why join Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator?

Tailored support and resources for emerging entrepreneurs, including marginalized groups, including BIPOC, immigrant, women and people with disabilities
A supportive learning environment with expert mentorship
Opportunity to showcase your business at five mini tradeshows
Practise presenting and pitching your business at four Show and Tell sessions and six mini Business Pitch Competitions, Dragons’ Den style
Opportunity to showcase your business and compete for prizes at our annual Entrepreneurship & Small Business Fair

Program Overview

We help you plan, launch and grow your business in the following three phases.

1. Business Plan Writing Circle

In our Business Plan Writing Circle (weeks 1–12), you will be able to :

Explore business ideas and define your products or services
Identify your target customers, conduct market research and do competitor analysis
Develop comprehensive business plans covering marketing, sales, operations and finances
Learn about business structures and the registration process
Network with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs and earn a Certificate of Completion

2. Business Startup Bootcamp

Once you’re ready to put your business planning into action, you can take part in our hybrid Business Startup Bootcamp (weeks 13–24). You will be able to:

Establish operational processes, including product development, branding, marketing and sales
Present your business pitch Dragons’ Den style to a panel of experts
Receive ongoing support to start selling at local marketplaces or online

3. One-on-One Self-Employment Support

Benefit from personalized guidance on various aspects of entrepreneurship
Explore new business ideas, conduct market research and refine business plans
Navigate business registration and understand financial loan options
Join support networks like Diverse Entrepreneurs Network

Register now

Don’t miss this opportunity to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with the CANIE award-winning Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator! Join us and let’s build your business success story together.

Registration for the program is open. To learn more, email selfemployment@dcrs.ca.

Fill out the registration form here

Supported by:

Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator