Concordia University has a thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem, led by the District 3 Innovation Centre. Serving as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, District 3 provides resources and support to entrepreneurs and startups, including coaching, a collaborative workspace, and access to a network of industry experts and mentors. Since its establishment, District 3 has supported over 500 start-ups and has a success rate of 76%.
Among the notable success stories is GradeSlam, an ed-tech startup founded by Concordia graduate Philip Cutler. GradeSlam provides 24/7 tutoring for students and has gained recognition as an innovative solution in the education technology sector. It received funding from Google’s education-oriented venture fund, Google for Education.
Another example of a successful startup is Bus.com, an online platform for bus rental that simplifies event transportation. The startup was co-founded by Concordia graduates Wolf Kohlberg and Kyle Boulay. Bus.com has raised over $5 million in funding from investors such as Jackson Square Ventures and BMW i Ventures.
Concordia also supports student entrepreneurship through initiatives like the John Molson MBA in Investment Management program. This program offers practical experience in investment management and includes a student-run investment fund, where students can gain hands-on experience in managing real money.
Concordia University's startup and VC ecosystem has some unique features that distinguish it from counterparts at other institutions. One of these is the strong support for women entrepreneurs. District 3, for instance, hosts a Women in Tech program to grow the number of women-led startups. Another is the university's commitment to sustainable and social entrepreneurship, as reflected in initiatives like the Sustainable Concordia project and the District 3's Social Impact Incubator.
In conclusion, Concordia has a vibrant and inclusive startup and VC ecosystem that has produced successful startups and supports entrepreneurial growth and innovation among its students.
Showing your skills in picking successful startups and advising founders is the surest way to build your reputation and secure a venture capital role.
Explore →Your community, region, or group thrives when its founders are given the chance to succeed before going back and reinvesting in their comunities.
Explore →Earn a share in startups you scout without the funds to invest directly just like a VC partner.
Explore →As a podcaster, community manager, or event organiser you have a front-row seat to interesting startups which you can monetise by helping them fundraise.
Explore →By identifying under-represented founders you're level the playing field for anyone to success based on merit independent from their social or ethnic background.
Explore →Help your friends who are neck-deep in their startups get the funding they need to succeed.
Explore →Connect with investors and entrepreneurs to learn more about dealflow opportunities emerging from Concordia University. Sign up and discover innovative startups and ideas that could benefit your portfolio.
Learn More →
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement.
