{"id":918865,"date":"2026-10-03T08:48:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T08:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/918865\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T08:48:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T08:48:32","slug":"put-your-best-foot-forward-apply-to-idea-mississaugas-step-up-program-city-of-mississauga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/918865\/","title":{"rendered":"Put your best foot forward: Apply to IDEA Mississauga\u2019s Step-Up Program \u2013 City of Mississauga"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Apply today and get ready to grow your business. This six-month program propels high-potential companies to success in attracting investment, accelerating growth and scaling with confidence.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Are you a high-potential company ready to take your business to the next level? Apply now for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ideamississauga.ca\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IDEA Mississauga<\/a>\u2018s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ideamississauga.ca\/programs-resources\/step-up-program\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Step-Up Program<\/a>, a six-month growth program with a proven track record of helping companies that are ready to scale attract investment, accelerate growth and prepare for their next stage of success.<\/p>\n<p>Operated by IDEA Mississauga, the City of Mississauga\u2019s business innovation hub, Step-Up supports companies that have gained traction in the market and are ready to scale. These businesses receive executive training, mentorship, investor access and expert guidance. Founders gain the tools, strategies and connections they need to grow faster and be competitive at the next level.<\/p>\n<p>Why the Step-Up Program?<\/p>\n<p>Growing a business comes with new challenges, from raising capital and expanding into new markets to building teams and strengthening operations. Step-Up helps companies navigate these challenges and build a stronger foundation for growth.<\/p>\n<p>Participants join a cohort of ambitious founders and work directly with experienced executives, industry experts and investors. The program combines hands-on support, peer learning and tailored business advice to help companies build momentum and prepare for long-term success.<\/p>\n<p>Step-Up may be right for you!<\/p>\n<p>Step-Up is designed for companies in the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors, including areas such as artificial intelligence, clean technology and defence technology.<\/p>\n<p>To be eligible, companies must:<\/p>\n<p>Generate between $100,000 and $2 million in annual revenue.<br \/>\nHave intellectual property (IP) or have raised investment funding.<br \/>\nBe positioned for growth and investment.<br \/>\nBe located in Mississauga or the Greater Toronto Area or be willing to relocate to Mississauga.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re getting ready to raise capital, venture into new markets, spike your sales or grow your team, Step-Up can help make your path to greater success come even quicker.<\/p>\n<p>Why you should apply<\/p>\n<p>Step-Up gives founders the support, expertise and connections needed to scale with confidence. You will get:<\/p>\n<p>Executive-level training focused on real business challenges.<br \/>\nOne-on-one mentorship from experienced business leaders.<br \/>\nDirect access to investors and fundraising support.<br \/>\nProfessional expertise in legal, accounting and intellectual property matters.<br \/>\nOpportunities to learn from and connect with fellow founders.<br \/>\nIndustry-specific expertise across life sciences, advanced manufacturing and technology.<br \/>\nUp to $20,000 in funding opportunities.<br \/>\nMore than $200,000 in business resources and perks.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of the program, founders like you will have stronger growth strategies, valuable investor connections and a clear roadmap for scaling your business.<\/p>\n<p>Key dates<\/p>\n<p>Information Session 1: October 13, 2026<br \/>\nInformation Session 2: November 16, 2026<br \/>\nApplications close: November 30, 2026<\/p>\n<p>Learn more and apply<\/p>\n<p>Ready to scale your business? Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ideamississauga.ca\/programs-resources\/step-up-program\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ideamississauga.ca<\/a> to learn more about the Step-Up Program, review eligibility requirements, register for an information session and submit your application before November 30, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>About the IDEA Step-Up Program<\/p>\n<p>The IDEA Step-Up Program is a six-month initiative. It helps innovative and inclusive companies grow and overcome barriers.<\/p>\n<p>The program focuses on sustainability and inclusivity. It supports companies working to create both economic and social impact.<\/p>\n<p>About IDEA Mississauga<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ideamississauga.ca\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IDEA Mississauga<\/a>, powered by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.investmississauga.ca\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Invest Mississauga<\/a>, the City\u2019s Economic Development Division, brings together industry, government, education and organizational leaders. It helps start-ups and scale-ups bring those ideas to market. IDEA Mississauga gives entrepreneurs access to mentorship, services and a strong network of partners and talent. From start-up to scale-up, IDEA supports businesses in turning ideas into real-world impact.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t                                    Tags&#13;<br \/>\n                                    &#13;<\/p>\n<p>    Media contact<\/p>\n<p>City of Mississauga Media Relations<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mississauga.ca\/city-of-mississauga-news\/news\/put-your-best-foot-forward-apply-to-idea-mississaugas-step-up-program\/mailto:media@mississauga.ca\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">media@mississauga.ca<\/a><br \/>905-615-3200, ext.\u00a05232<br \/>TTY:\u00a0905-896-5151<br \/><a class=\"newsnews\" href=\"https:\/\/preferences.enewsmississauga.ca\/subscribe?category=City%20of%20Mississauga\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Get email updates<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Apply today and get ready to grow your business. This six-month program propels high-potential companies to success in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":918866,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194297],"tags":[49,48,55405],"class_list":["post-918865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mississauga","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-mississauga"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/918865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=918865"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/918865\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/918866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=918865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=918865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=918865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}