Frequently Asked Questions

Seneca students, alumni, staff, faculty and broader community members can participate. HELIX provides the tools to design and launch a scalable startup or to innovate from within an organization as an intrapreneur.

The program helps people learn skills to create innovative solutions to problems in all sectors. Building on an established design framework, HELIX provides additional resources to assist those dedicated to developing, launching and scaling ventures.

Workshops, coaching, co-working space, networking introductions and events, guest speaker presentations, funding application assistance, experiential learning and engagement with angel investors, other startups and the broader entrepreneurial community are available.

HELIX's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubator has an INNOVATION (the entry-point for all participants) and an ACCELERATION stage.

INNOVATION

Six, 90-minute workshops delivered once a week covering topics including: ideation, persona development for target markets, Business Model Canvas development, customer validation and pitching. Participants will receive a workbook with reflective exercises and resources. Optional learning labs will be held following the workshops for those who wish to speak with facilitators about the weekly topic. Participants must complete each of the six workshops to move forward to the ACCELERATION strand.  

ACCELERATION
Following completion of the INNOVATION strand workshops, those that want to build a startup have the opportunity to pitch a venture idea and gain access to the ACCELERATION stage.

ACCELERATING HELIXers are assigned a coach who they are required to meet with weekly for a two-hour group coaching session. Once business development activities are completed with the coach, the entrepreneur will transition to a mentor to work with them one-on-one according to the format and schedule determined by the pair. HELIX, the mentor and the entrepreneur will then work together to identify other mentors/subject/sector experts to support the venture launch and/or growth phase. Those who progress to this stage will have full access to the HELIX facility, additional experiential learning opportunities, a speaker series and funding introductions. 

No application is needed. The program is open to Seneca students, graduates, faculty, staff and community members. If you’d like to participate, please contact helix@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Intakes for HELIX's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubator are held twice a year, from March to May and October to December. 

All HELIX programs and initiatives are free.

The INNOVATION stage has been delivered both in-person and virtually. To confirm the current mode of delivery, please contact helix@senecapolytechnic.ca.

The ACCELERATION stage has virtual and in-person components including weekly group coaching and/or mentoring sessions. 

Yes, you will have the ability to participate in all activities delivered virtually. If you have any questions, please email helix@senecapolytechnic.ca.

The HELIX Catalyst Fund is exclusively available to actively ACCELERATING HELIXers. These individuals can apply to receive micro-grants of up to $5,000 to help them at any stage of their business, from validating their idea to launching or scaling. This can be used for a range of activities, including building a website, launching products, purchasing raw materials, advertising new products or conducting market testing.

No. HELIX does not take equity in the startups launched through the incubator's programming.

Yes.

Please contact the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubator by email at helix@senecapolytechnic.ca.