International teams can apply only if they are planning to operate their startup out of Montreal. For teams located elsewhere in Canada, applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Our focus is on supporting entrepreneurs in Canada who are building and operating their startups in Montreal. While our programs are offered in person in Montreal and online, our global network can still provide valuable resources and connections to help advance your social innovations.

A social entrepreneur is someone who focuses on addressing societal challenges or problems through innovative business models, products or services that aim to generate both financial returns and measurable social or environmental impact.

Social impact refers to the positive influence that ventures have on society, the environment, and the economy. This can include job creation, carbon footprint reduction, social change, and economic growth.

Social innovation is a collaborative approach where groups of people or organizations work together to address complex systemic challenges. It often requires transformational change to reduce barriers and engage diverse stakeholders in developing solutions that create lasting impact.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015, aimed at addressing a wide range of social, environmental, and economic challenges by 2030.

As the Social Innovation stream at District 3 we ask our entrepreneurs to align with the SDG’s because they provide a framework for tackling pressing global issues. By aligning with these goals we can ensure innovations that are being developed are done so in a meaningful way with measurable impact, contributing to positive social and environmental change.

The time commitment expected from you and your team will vary based on which program you are in within the Social Innovation stream. If you are in the Explore stage, you can expect a 7-10 hour weekly time commitment in the 6-week Systems Mapping program. If you are doing the 12-week Social Innovation Validation program in the Build stage you can expect at least a 20 hour weekly time commitment. If you are in the Launch & Grow program you will be meeting 1:1 with a dedicated coach to do an hourly coaching call on a bi-weekly to monthly basis depending on the development stage of your venture.

Participation in our programs is free, and we do not take equity in your venture. Our goal is to provide support and resources to help you succeed.

To apply, please visit our application page and complete the required information. We will contact you to discuss the next steps.

If you reside within the province of Quebec and are working on a business idea that has a strong focus on creating social or environmental impact you are eligible to apply. If you are in a team, at least one of your co-founders must be a resident of Quebec. International teams can apply only if they are planning to operate their startup out of Montreal. Our focus is on supporting Quebec based entrepreneurs who are building and operating their startups in Montreal. We do not require you to have a team in order to be eligible for our Social Innovation programs and you must be at least 18 years of age or older.