leapIN Business Accelerator - Fall/Winter

• Current or former Fanshawe College student
• Eligible to work in Canada
• Commit to attending at least 90% of program sessions
• Able to commit several focused hours each week, plus the opening in-person intensive
• Have reliable technology and internet to participate online
• Attend bi-weekly business advisor sessions

• Commitment to moving your idea forward
• Basic understanding of your industry
• Initial market research
• Potential demand for your product or service
• Coachability and willingness to act on evidence

• Any legal idea for a physical or digital product or service
• For-profit, social enterprise, or non-profit
• Early-stage ideas and businesses under one year old

Each business receives $3,000 in funding, paid across the program to support your participation and business development. It may help with lost wages, product or service development, business expenses, or other approved uses. Participants are encouraged to speak with a LEAP Junction advisor before spending funds.

Important: this stipend is considered income, not a grant — which is why participants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

You don’t need a perfect idea to apply. leapIN is designed to help you test and improve it. We look for people who are serious, coachable, curious, and ready to take action.

You may be a good fit if you have a business idea, side hustle, early concept, or a problem you’re ready to explore seriously. You don’t need customers yet, but you should be ready to talk to potential customers and test your assumptions.

You may still be a good fit if your business is less than one year old, or if you’re still testing your model, offer, customer segment, pricing, or sales approach.

Yes — this version of leapIN was designed for people with busy lives. It begins with a one-week in-person intensive (November 16–20, 2026), then continues mostly online with weekly live sessions and asynchronous learning. You’ll still need to commit time each week to participate and complete the work.

After the opening intensive, most of the program is delivered online through live sessions and asynchronous learning. You’ll still participate actively, complete assignments, connect with your cohort, and apply the work to your business.

That’s okay. You don’t need a business background to apply. leapIN helps emerging founders build practical skills through action, coaching, and real-world testing.

The funding supports your participation and business development during the program. It may help with lost wages, product or service development, business expenses, or other approved uses. Talk with a LEAP Junction advisor before spending funds. Note: the stipend is considered income, not a grant, so you must be eligible to work in Canada.

Launching is one possible outcome, not the only measure of success. The main goal is to validate whether your idea is worth pursuing. Some participants launch; others pivot, refine, or decide not to move forward after gathering evidence.

It’s not for people who only want to think or talk about an idea. It’s for people ready to test, learn, adapt, and act. If you’re not willing to commit time, talk to customers, take feedback, or adjust your idea, this may not be the right fit.

There are 15 spots available.

Applications close September 30, 2026.

Yes. We’re hosting a program info session on August 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM, where you can learn how the program works, meet the team, and ask questions before you apply. Weekly online session times for the cohort will be confirmed before the program begins.