The LiftOff Black Entrepreneurship Program is designed to support Black entrepreneurs from the earliest stages of starting a business to innovating, growing, and scaling an existing business.

LiftOff’s customized one-on-one coaching model ensures that every minute spent in the program is dedicated to the areas that matter most to your business.

LiftOff entrepreneurs spend up to 12 months in the program, working through the important milestones for business success such as market validation and research, business set up and intellectual property, funding and long-term strategy.

• Watch a recording of LiftOff Black Entrepreneurship Program Info Session on Instagram Live.​​

• Submit an application by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 1 2023, to join the LiftOff Black Entrepreneurship Program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis so apply early to increase your chances of being selected! 

• If shortlisted, you will be invited for a 30-minute interview. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. 

• Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 

• Phase 1: Ideation and Market Validation (3 months) 

• Phase 2: Build and Launch (3 months) 

• Phase 3: Position for Success (3 months) 

• Phase 4: Transition to Community (3 months) 

Click here to learn more.

The LiftOff Program is open to individuals who meet the following criteria: 

• Self identify as Black

• Have a scalable business idea or an existing business with growth potential.

• Committed to dedicating a minimum of 12 hours per week to their business for the duration of the program.

• Prepared to complete the coaching and reporting requirements of the program.

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

• Must reside in the Waterloo/Wellington region, Ontario, Canada.