Alumni-In-Residence
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The Client Experience
Prospecting clients fill out an application form located on the SURGE website. This application informs the SURGE Team of the business and stage the client is at with their idea. The application is then sent to the SURGE Team for review and next steps. Clients are taken through a series of phases:
Phase 1:
focuses on validating the business idea, working closely with the coordinator of the SURGE program. Clients receive three different tasks to complete before they are able to proceed.
Phase 2:
Clients are now connected to a faculty mentor, enrolled in the SURGE bootcamp and also given the opportunity to compete in the SURGE pitch competition.
Phase 3:
Clients now gain access to resources such as funding opportunities from outside organizations, free workshops and courses, and incubator spaces within different cities.
- Get free coaching to develop your business idea or expand your current business.
- If you are a creative freelancer, get featured and find clients as part of The Collective.
- Get access to expert advice from our network partners.
- Get free access to the MaRS Entrepreneurship 101 program.
- Get matched to a community or faculty mentor and introductions to the Hamilton Entrepreneurship Community.
- Personalized help to prepare for external pitch competitions such as Lion’s Lair, CNE Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition and OCE Discovery Pitch Competitions.
- Support with applications to accelerators and incubators such as The FORGE, DMZ and Communitech SURGE Mentors
Meet our Alumni
PRELUDIUM
Amanda Ottoni (BMusA) is a musician and entrepreneur living in Dundas, Ontario. Her business, Preludium, is an inclusive music school in the Greater Hamilton Area. After receiving first place in Mohawk’s Pitch it to Win it Competition and being supported by the City of Hamilton’s Starter Company Plus grant, Preludium began operating full time. Amanda now conducts lessons in piano, voice, ukulele, music theory and music history in Preludium’s studio, in student’s homes, and virtually.
Solange Medial Aesthetics
Jenn found her true passion in nursing seven years ago. She fell in love with helping others look and feel their best and approached SURGE to help her grow a cosmetics injection business. With the support of SURGE and her mentors, Jen launched Solange Medical Aesthetics In June 2021 with 10 full-time staff, 8 contracted professionals and her own shop located on Upper James. Rooted in a Parisienne flair, they offer a unique European boutique-style experience and specialize in services such as lash extensions, injections, filler, and other cosmetic procedures.
The Monarch Tea Co.
Katie Cyr is a certified Tea Sommelier and founded Monarch Tea Co. in March or 2014. She specializes in small batch loose leaf tea and online virtual tea tasting events. Through her virtual events, Katie teaches clients everything about tea, how to brew the perfect cup, anatomy of the tea plant, and how to sip tea like a Sommelier. Her interactive tea talks have been taught worldwide in person and online. She’s even been featured in food and beverage publications such as Goodness Me!, LCBO, and UK Tea & Herbal Magazine. In 2021, Katie won first place in SURGE’s Pitch To Win It! Pitch competition & came second place in the FirstOntario 1Awards for small business.
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The Consultancy
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Process/How We Work
Step 1
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Step 2
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Step 2
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