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The Recovery Accelerator

The Recovery Cohort Accelerator stream is a 14-week virtual program that supports Canadian early-midstage businesses working to recover the creative industries that are in the market and looking to grow their revenue/sales.

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If you fit one of the following descriptions, the Recovery Accelerator could be a great fit for you and your business.

  • I am a Canadian business in the creative industries with a product/service/technology/social impact that is already in market with evidence of sales
  • I am looking to grow my revenue, increase traction for my business and leverage my existing offerings/product
  • I can demonstrate evidence of unmet need in the market or marketability of my solution 
  • I was already doing the work of recovery or pivoted/was created in response to the current crisis
  • I have a leadership team comprised of driven, coachable and collaborative people with some expertise in the area of focus
  • I have at least one full-time founder to devote to the program & working on my business
  • I am willing to document & share my progress

Program Benefits

Through weekly programming and advanced mentorship, accelerated teams will receive tailored guidance & support in growth hacking, marketing, customer acquisition, funding and more. They will also be encouraged to explore different aspects of creative recovery and think through how they could apply that to their work. 

Each accelerator cohort will accept up to 5 applicants across the Fashion Zone, the Design Fabrication Zone, the Transmedia Zone and the Music Den. At the end of the cohort, participants will be expected to present their work virtually and will have the opportunity to continue as a regular member. 

Through the program, you will be provided with a package of supports including:

  • Up to 16 hours with a dedicated EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) network focused on sales optimization, scaling and pitching to investors
  • Guidance from a robust roster of mentors to support on technical, conceptual, branding, and business aspects, including a dedicated staff member who will track your progress, help you set milestones, connect you to resources, and help you attain your goals
  • Access to a supportive online peer-network consisting of a cross- industry  community of innovative and curious makers, entrepreneurs, researchers, technologists and artists all working through similar and shared challenges
  • Timely programming and speakers on creative entrepreneurship and industry-specific topics
  • Speakers & workshops on creative entrepreneurship topics, industry-specific topics and recovery topics, including optimizing collaboration in a remote work era, perfecting the art of the remote pitch, financing in a time of uncertainty, and marketing authentically during a global crisis
  • Access to our roster of accomplished advisors
  • Remote fabrication & technical support for physical prototyping
  • Media & marketing exposure including Monthly Showcase opportunities
  • Industry perks including discounts on services & tickets to conferences
  • Student connections for internships/jobs
  • A virtual interdisciplinary community of innovative and curious markers, entrepreneurs, researchers, technologists and artists

There may be costs associated with the delivery of supports beyond that.

Winter 2021

Applications Open: November 2, 2020

Applications Close: November 29, 2020

Interviews: Week of December 7, 2020

Notice of Acceptance: Week of December 14, 2020

Program Duration: January 18, 2021 - April 23, 2021

Applicants must:

  1. Be working on recovery in the creative industries as defined in “What is Recovery”
  2. Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or Ryerson international student
  3. Be in market with evidence of sales
  4. Meet 3 out of 7 of the following qualifications
    1. Over 5,000 in monthly recurring revenue pre-COVID or over 40,000 in total revenue or equivalent
    2. Incorporated business
    3. Working with industry partner
    4. Creative and/or Innovative excellence
    5. Led by a racialized and/or traditionally marginalized in the creative industries person
    6. Connection to Ryerson
    7. Track record demonstrating past success
  5. Be eligible for either the Fashion Zone, Design Fabrication Zone, Transmedia Zone or Music Den

Applications are now closed.