Lazaridis Institute launches search for Canada’s 10 most promising scale-up companies

April 23, 2020
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – The Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises at Wilfrid Laurier University is seeking Canada’s 10 most promising scale-up companies. Through the Lazaridis ScaleUp Program, selected companies and their teams will receive the expert support required to succeed at a global level.

“The Lazaridis ScaleUp Program helps Canada’s leading entrepreneurs as they grow their companies to achieve global success,” said Kim Morouney, managing director of the Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises. “No two companies follow the same path to scale. Founders and their teams need customized support.

“We provide access to a hand-picked network of experts who have played key roles in the early success of companies including Apple, Google, Facebook, Shopify, Uber, Pinterest, LinkedIn and others. These individuals want to give back and help build Canada’s technology ecosystem.”

The Lazaridis ScaleUp Program received a record number of applications in 2019, with fewer than five per cent of companies selected. The institute is anticipating a competitive selection process again in 2020.

Companies selected for the ScaleUp Program work closely with members of the Lazaridis Expert Network, who share knowledge and experience in a series of intensive workshops designed to help founders and executive teams transform companies from start-up to scale-up. Workshops focus on finances and funding, product, sales and marketing, human resources, leadership, metrics, and global growth. Program workshops take place in six cities across North America. Each selected company will also receive 12 months of one-on-one mentorship, guidance and support from top industry experts, investors and founders. 

“I left the ScaleUp workshops feeling energized and excited to immediately implement what I had learned,” said Avi Brudner, COO of Blue J Legal, a ScaleUp Program alumni company. “The information is tactical and the speakers are inspiring.”

ScaleUp Program alumni companies including Unata, Terramera, Sheertex, Validere, Essential Accessibility, Vive Crop Protection, Blue J Legal, Vendasta, 7shifts and others have raised more than $500 million in less than three years. Keith Thomas, founder and executive chair of Mississauga-based Vive Crop Protection, credits the program for his company’s recent successes.

“The Lazaridis ScaleUp Program provided us with the tools to scale to $100 million in sales,” said Thomas. “I recommend this program to all founders leading fast-growing companies with the potential to be global category leaders."

During May and June, the Lazaridis Institute will host a series of online ScaleUp Program information sessions that will include live Q&As and and opportunities for one-on-one time with the program’s highly regarded Lazaridis Expert Network mentors.  

 “Although current travel restrictions will limit our ability to meet Canada’s scale-up entrepreneurs in person, we are looking forward to connecting with the country’s top founders and highest potential companies through a series of interactive, virtual events,” said Morouney.

Workshops for companies chosen for the 2020 cohort of the Lazaridis ScaleUp Program – the program’s sixth cohort – will kick off this fall. Applications for the program are open from April 23 to July 10. Fast-growing, high-potential scale-up companies are invited to apply.

“When the rebound begins, startups creating innovative products based on technology and data are the businesses that will drive growth, productivity and employment,” said Morouney. “It’s our job to prepare these companies and nurture the ecosystem that will lay the foundation for Canada’s economic recovery.”

The Lazaridis ScaleUp Program is sponsored by Borden Ladner Gervais, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Boast.AI and Deloitte.

ScaleUp Online Information Sessions

Want to learn more about the Lazaridis ScaleUp Program? During May and June, the Lazaridis Institute will host a series of online information sessions. Attend one of the interactive events for the opportunity to learn about the program, find out how the right mentor can help your business, and ask one of our experts about a challenge you’re facing. 

About the Lazaridis ScaleUp Program

The Lazaridis ScaleUp Program helps high-potential, fast-growing Canadian tech companies scale and compete globally by providing founders and their teams the expert support required to overcome the challenges of achieving global success. The ScaleUp Program includes a series of highly focused, multi-day workshops led by recognized industry leaders combined with 12 months of personalized, one-on-one expert mentoring.