It's time to get excited about work again.
From isolation to financial and emotional stress, the effects of the pandemic have taken a toll on entrepreneurs and career shifters in Ottawa.
If the last few years have left you feeling stuck, make your next move in the company of peers and experts who've been there, too.
Thank you for your interest in Better Together! We are no longer accepting applications for the fall 2022 cohort. If you submitted an application, you'll hear from us no later than August 19.
Why go it alone?
Better Together is a 3-month series of mutual learning sessions and wraparound supports that helps professionals make the next move in their entrepreneurial or career journey.
Skills, self-knowledge, & community to support your growth.
You tell us what you need, we bring the city's experts together to build a program that works for you - all with the support of a group of peers and a community that cares. Because we're better together.
What you'll get
A cohort of
people who've
been there, too
10-12 hours of facilitated
mutual learning sessions
to help you tackle your to-do list in
good company.
Personalized
Guidance
1:1 coaching with industry
experts to help you put dreams
into action.
Cringe-free networking
Meaningful connections to
community leaders, so you can
build real relationships
with the right people.
A community &
space to call home
3-month full-time coworking
membership to Impact Hub Ottawa,
the city’s most vibrant professional space.
Tailored to you
Better Together is delivered in two streams to benefit entrepreneurs and career shifters. Participants in either stream will meet virtually for a series of mutual learning sessions every two weeks in September and October.
Entrepreneurship Stream
Led by serial entrepreneur and business coach Karla Briones, this stream is perfect for you if you’ve registered a business and are looking for support in making your next move - whether it’s breaking into the market or scaling up.
Apply to the Entrepreneur Stream if you
- Have registered your business* and are unsure of next steps, or
- Want to build a network of entrepreneurs to support your business, or
- Need help scaling your business, or
- Need help with specific skills, from contracts and marketing to HR and people leadership.
*In order to apply to this stream, your business must be registered in Ontario.
Career Shifters Stream
Led by career coach and strategist Lissa Appiah, this is the stream for you if you’re looking to make a change in your career, whether you’re just getting started or have your sights set on a promotion.
Apply to the Career Shifter Stream if you
- Are underemployed and wish to secure employment that matches your skills, or
- Are looking to move into a new industry, career, or field, or
- Are hoping to progress in your current organization, or
- Are experiencing any career transition that you’d like peer and expert support in navigating.
Eligibility
We're looking for Ottawa-based entrepreneurs and career shifters from equity-deserving and underrepresented groups, as defined by the City of Ottawa.
If you self-identify as a member of an equity-deserving group, including one or more of the following groups, we warmly invite you to apply: Black, Indigenous, racialized, or a person of colour; a person living with a disability; a person living rurally; 2SLGBTQ+; a lower-income youth or older adult; or a newcomer to Canada.
Pricing
With a value of $2,500 per participant, the program includes:
- 10-12 hours of expert-facilitated mutual learning sessions in a group of no more than 10 peers;
- 4 hours of 1:1 coaching with industry leaders;
- Exclusive networking opportunities; and,
- A 3-month, full-time coworking membership to Impact Hub Ottawa.
To support the long-term sustainability of this initiative while better serving entrepreneurs and career shifters from equity-deserving groups, including people with low incomes, Better Together is offered at multiple price points.
Regular
$400
Select this option if cost is not a barrier to participating in this program.
Partially subsidized
$250
Select this option if you’d like to help offset program costs but are working with a tight budget.
Free
$0.00
Available for a limited number of participants, select this option if cost is a barrier to your participation.
Please note: Payment by 3 installments is available on request. Please indicate your preferred payment rate and method on your application form. First payments will be due in early September. The evaluation of your application will not be impacted by the payment option you select.
Please note that the application window is now closed.
If you submitted an application, you'll hear from us no later than August 19.
With support from
