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The Recovery Incubator

The Recovery Cohort Incubator stream is a 14-week virtual program that supports Canadian early-midstage businesses, experimental projects and innovative creators working to recover the creative industries.

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If you fit one of the following descriptions, the Recovery Incubator could be a great fit for you.

  • I have an initial business plan or an initial project financing plan that I’m looking to refine/validate
  • I have a sample/prototype/visual description of my idea (ex. a creative treatment; a script; a teaser; a wireframe; a minimum viable product) that I’m looking to iterate on and bring to realization/market
  • I may have some early-stage sales and traction and am seeking assistance to take it to the next level
  • I am a Canadian business/project in the creative industries that 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 15 hours/week to devote to the program & working on my business/project
  • I am willing to document & share my progress

Program Benefits

Through weekly programming and mentorship, incubated teams will receive tailored guidance & support to develop & realize their ideas. They will also be encouraged to explore different aspects of creative recovery and think through how they could apply that to their work. 

Each incubator cohort will accept up to 40 applicants across the Design Fabrication Zone, the Fashion 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. Participants in the Fall cohort may also apply to the Winter cohort.

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

  • 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
  • A minimum of 2 hours a month with 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. Have a Minimum Viable Product or Visual Description of their project
  4. Meet 3 out of 7 of the following qualification
    1. Over 5k in revenue or 3rd party funding
    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.