IDEA Mississauga and YSpace have teamed up to launch EmpowHER Tech Launchpad, a program designed to help women-led companies grow their business. Applications are now open.
June 26, 2025
Who should apply?
The program is open to registered Canadian incorporations that meet the following requirements:
- Minimum 51 per cent women-led business
- Must be past the product-launch stage
- Requires one co-founder to attend all programming in-person
- Ability to commit to the full duration of the program
- Located within the GTA
Preference will be provided to newcomer women founders. Applications will be open until July 11, 2025.
For detailed information, visit IDEA Mississauga’s EmpowHER Tech Launchpad webpage.
What successful participants can expect
EmpowHER Tech Launchpad offers women founders a unique opportunity to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey with specialized tools, training and support. The 12-week hybrid program runs from September to December 2025. Founders will have access to up to $200,000 in business resources to scale their ventures, including expert-led workshops focused on key business aspects such as sales, fundraising and much more, along with personalized one-on-one mentorship from industry experts.
The program also includes regular office hours with program facilitators to ensure success, alongside many opportunities to connect with experienced women in tech. The program wraps up with a final showcase event, where participants will present their business to a community of experts, mentors, potential investors and clients.
Join a growing network of EmpowHER success stories!
The impact of EmpowHER goes beyond the 12-week program. Past participant, Zahra Qureshi, joined the program while growing her finance and accounting firm Optinum Corporation, and credits EmpowHER’s mentorship and coaching with helping her refine her strategy for growth. As a direct outcome of the EmpowHER program experience, Zahra successfully launched a B2B SaaS platform, scaled her revenue and expanded her team by hiring two full-time employees within six months.
Similarly, Hira Malik, Co-Founder of Food Mamba, gained valuable insights on scaling her technology across the GTA through the EmpowHER program. With support in financial modelling, sales strategy development, and exposure to investment review panels, she and her team were empowered to confidently pitch their business to investors. As a result, Food Mamba was accepted into multiple pitch competitions and successfully secured several contracts, marking key milestones in their growth journey. Building on this momentum, Food Mamba also joined IDEA Mississauga’s Step-Up Program, where they’ve continued to receive tailored support to accelerate their scale-up efforts and deepen their impact in the food tech space.
For more information, including 2025 application details, participant testimonials and more, visit IDEA Mississauga’s EmpowHER Tech Launchpad webpage.
