Build your High Tech Startup

District 3 High Tech Stream

We accelerate the path to commercialization for early-stage startups, harnessing emerging technology through 1:1 objectives-based coaching, lean entrepreneurship skill development and targeted, timely ecosystem connections and global market expansion support.

What You Gain

1:1 Objectives-Based Coaching

Experienced coaches and advisors with experience in emerging tech guide startups as they develop a roadmap to reach critical milestones around honing your pitch to secure funding, increase sales, expand to international markets, recruit the right talent, and much more.

Tailored Just-in-Time Learning

Participate in industry-specific workshops and best-in-class training to acquire the competencies necessary to succeed at all stages of your startup journey, including customer acquisition, startup funding, IP strategy management, legal strategy and more.

Community & Workspace Access

Build your network, collaborate and develop strategic partnerships with local and global advisors in academia, industry and the investor community.

“

Entrepreneurship was more challenging than we expected — through
D3 programs and coaching, we learned how to reach and engage our
target customers, tell our story, pitch our solution and more.”

Asad Lesani, Ph.D, CEO and Co-founder of Blue City

Success stories

Our Programs

Validation

Designed for startup teams with little or no customer traction for their high-tech-based solution, this three-month intensive cohort-based program will help you define your target market, develop a deep understanding of your customers’ problem and unmet needs, and design a business model to build a viable company.

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Launch & Grow

For startups with validated business models with initial traction through customers, letters of intent, or initial investment, our customized, individualized program includes 1-1 objectives-based coaching, access to an international network of academic, clinical, and industrial partners as well as investors operating in high tech.

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Our Partner Programs

QCSE

An online lab-to-market program that helps scientists explore entrepreneurship and the commercial applications of their academic research. Scientists learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, evaluate the market potential, and learn what it takes to commercialize their scientific discoveries before taking the leap.
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Market Discovery

A 4-week program for early-stage scientific entrepreneurs who want to commercialize their research but need support in finding the right research-market fit. Founders gain the knowledge, skills, and network to identify and evaluate potential market opportunities to build a viable business.

Our Coaches & Advisors

JD Bégin

District 3 High Tech Stream Lead

JD Bégin

District 3 High Tech Stream Lead

JD Bégin is a venture capitalist turned entrepreneur and angel investor. As High Tech Stream Lead at District 3, Bégin helps founders find product market-fit, grow their key metrics, and secure financing. Having previously worked as a growth advisor and mentor to firms such as VM6 Software Inc., Techstars and Traction Ventures, Bégin leverages more than 15 years experience to uniquely equip startups with the tools they need to grow into successful enterprises. Bégin holds an MBA from Concordia University, as well as a bachelors of Business Administration in accounting and finance from UQAM.

Xavier-Henri Hervé

Executive Director, District 3

Xavier-Henri Hervé

Executive Director, District 3

Guided by his passion for advancing emerging technology, his career is rooted in strategic partnerships and community building. Proud of the incubator that he founded, District 3, and the 1000+ tech startups that have come through our doors in now 10 years. Xavier is committed to growing the bioeconomy in Quebec–which at this very second, is revolutionizing the world. Equivalent to what happened in IT 50 years ago, the same is occurring in biological engineering-“it’s going to change everything”. The next bioeconomy ventures are led by scientific entrepreneurs with deep expertise in their respective domains — fields like AI in biological engineering, healthtech, clean tech, agri-foods — are all key innovation drivers.

Daniel Stoll

Coach, District 3

Daniel Stoll

Coach, District 3

Daniel Stoll has always strived to design and develop products that bring delightful customer experiences, to have products sell themselves. He has a track record of galvanizing innovation and creating go-to-market strategies based on a product-led growth approach, providing value to customers by shortening time to value. His work has been recognized for shortening the sales cycle significantly in complex sales. Daniel holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the École d’ingénieurs du numérique.

FAQ

Who is eligible to apply to District 3’s High Tech Stream?

Early-stage startups who are developing solutions harnessing emerging technologies.

Do the programs take place in person or virtually?

Currently, programs are taking place virtually.

Is there an application deadline?

We accept startups on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year. Note that it may take up to 2 weeks after you submitted an application for us to respond. We will notify you whether your application has been accepted or rejected.

How long is the program?

Programs vary from 3 months to 24 months.

Check out our latest events & workshops

Join our open events to learn more about emerging technologies, innovation best practices and insights from leaders around the globe.

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Work with a Startup

Check out the latest job opportunities and internships offered by District 3 startups to get involved in the innovation ecosystem.

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