“Build a strong network” is advice that many entrepreneurs often receive, but how do you go about actually doing this? For starters, you can apply to the RADIUS Slingshot Accelerator program. Building strong networks is goal across all RADIUS programs – and a program highlight for entrepreneurs in the Slingshot Accelerator.
RADIUS takes a network entrepreneur approach to the ventures in our programs. It’s a term borrowed from the Stanford Social Innovation Review to describe a kind of entrepreneur that “expands far beyond the boundaries of their own organization, supporting peers and partners across sectors to solve the problem.” We immerse every innovator and entrepreneur in a supportive network of cohort peers, and a broader network of experts, advisors, partners, funders and clients.
A Cohort to support you
Entrepreneurs in both the Slingshot Accelerator and the Trampoline pre-accelerator program benefit from participating in a cohort-based educational series focused on building leadership capacity, management skills and business acumen. Through the series, the cohort builds bonds of trust and comradeship. Entrepreneurship is about hard skills – but it’s also about your capacity to persevere through inevitable challenge. The strength of your network is a key determinant in your capacity to successfully navigate those challenges
A Team of Program Delivery Partners
The Slingshot Accelerator provides ventures with the opportunity to connect and work with best-in-class Program Delivery Partners. Ventures will tap into the passion and business expertise of Partners including (list and link to three partners), who will provide in-kind services and facilitate sessions and workshops throughout the program.
An Advisory Board and mentors
More than 30 mentors support RADIUS ventures through the mentor network. Areas of expertise include branding, strategy, design thinking, entrepreneurship, sales, and more! Each venture in the Slingshot Accelerator has a dedicated advisory board and the opportunity to seek 1-1 guidance with select mentors in the pool. Mentorship has repeatedly been identified as one of the highest predictors of success in accelerators – we’ll work with you to build the mentor network you need.
An Entrepreneur in Residence in your corner
Entrepreneurs in the Slingshot Accelerator will benefit from one-on-one support from our seasoned entrepreneurs-in-residence, Donovan Woollard and Mike Rowlands.
Donovan Woollard is a Co-Director of RADIUS and oversees the Ventures program. Donovan spent four years as founding COO with Offsetters, Canada’s leading carbon management firm, where he built a 24-person team with a blue-chip list of clients and partners. He has also worked for Vancity, BC Hydro, and Ecotrust, and continues to help launch and grow responsible business initiatives with his company Transom Enterprises to.
Mike Rowlands is President & CEO of Junxion Strategy. In addition to leading Junxion and working with RADIUS, he’s an Executive Producer of the annual Social Venture Institute, Director of the Social Venture Network and serves on the Board of Directors of Hollyhock. As a B Corp Ambassador, helping to accelerate the growth of that community of responsible businesses.
A collection of Perks to make business better
New to the Slingshot Program this is year, the Perks Program builds you network by connecting you with complimentary or discounted access to productivity tools and softwares including Clausehound, a legal tool geared towards entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses, and Sage Accounting, an accounting and bookkeeping software.
A Network to support and amplify your work
At the end of the day, it’s about building your business alongside a supportive community that can celebrate your highs and lift you up from your lows. The Stanford Social Innovation Review suggests that the “potential for impact increasing exponentially when leaders leverage resources of all types—leadership, money, talent—across organizations and sectors toward a common goal”– we couldn’t agree more.
As a community of communities, RADIUS understands what the power of networks for entrepreneurs – and now we want to help grow yours!
Apply for Slingshot or Trampoline Today!