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Black Innovation Programs
Empowering the next wave of Black-owned tech startups
Accelerate your dreams
Underrepresented communities continue to face barriers in accessing lucrative entrepreneurship opportunities created by Canada's burgeoning technology-driven innovation sector. Black entrepreneurs in particular encounter steep challenges when starting and growing a business - from accessing seed capital to having fewer publicly recognized role models - making business support for Black-owned tech startups crucial to close the opportunity gap.
That's why the DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University joined forces with a community of Founding Partners to develop the Black Innovation Programs (BIP). The first-in-Canada programs will provide Black-owned tech startups with the strengthening support of a top university-based incubator network, as well as additional programming, mentorship, events, and connections to industry, capital and an alumni network, to support their success and growth.
Our programs
LAUNCHPAD
Talent Development
Launchpad is a free skills development platform and year-round program geared at building the next generation of successful tech entrepreneurs.
Open to learners of all ages anywhere in the world, Launchpad helps participants develop the personal and professional skills needed to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.
PRE-INCUBATOR
Startup Development
Our Pre-Incubator helps early-stage founders validate a business idea/market opportunity, and build a roadmap for implementation.
The Pre-Incubator gives founders exposure to elements of core DMZ programming and helps speed up startup development to qualify for our Black Innovation Fellowship.
INCUBATOR
Startup Acceleration
Our Incubator is an equity-based program that helps venture-backable startups grow over the course of 18 months. The DMZ takes a highly-customized approach to address every founder’s unique challenges.
Founders can apply through the Black Innovation Program to receive additional benefits on top of what all Incubator founders in the program receive.
Our partners
The Black Innovation Programs would not be possible without our partners' commitments.
Thank you to these organizations and individuals for their unwavering dedication to support Black-owned tech startups.
Inaugural Founding Partner & Programs Founder
Isaac Olowolafe Jr.
Founder and General Partner, Dream Maker Ventures
link to Dreamaker venture website
Inaugural Founding Partner
Dream Maker Ventures (DMV) is the investment arm of Dream Maker Corp. (DMC), a Toronto-based vertically integrated asset management firm founded in 2003. With divisions in real estate, development, property management, and insurance, DMC has a total of half a billion AUM. The DMV Diversity Fund is an early-stage fund that primarily invests in under-represented, diverse founders such as racial minorities, women, persons with disabilities and Indigenous entrepreneurs across North America.
Honorary Chairman
Ralph Lean
Distinguished Counsel in Residence, Ted Rogers School of Management
link to Dreamaker venture website
Honorary Chairman
Ralph E. Lean is a highly regarded business lawyer and a trusted advisor to clients that range from start-ups to global corporations. Since September 2011, Lean has been a distinguished counsel in residence at the Ted Rogers School of Management. In addition, Lean had an illustrious legal career at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Gowlings LLP. Lean also serves on the boards of many Canadian public and private companies, as well as several charities, foundations and civic groups: he is the Founding Chair of the Canadian Advisory Board of Right to Play, and serves on the boards of Giants of Africa and The PS43 Foundation.
Representing our founding partners & supporters
Leslie J. Anderson
Global Head of Enterprise Technology, Employee Experience, BMO Financial Group
BIP champions
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