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Founders Week YQG (beta) – a collaboration between WEtech Alliance, WindsorEssex Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre, EPICentre and Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre –  is a free, week-long celebration that brings together entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, changemakers, entrepreneurial support organizations, local leaders, and community to celebrate, educate, connect and build momentum and opportunity around our region’s startup community.

The inaugural Founders Week YQG featured 30+ events and 60+ speakers from November 8th – 13th, during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

WHY BETA?

Remember in-person events? Handshakes? Pants? Just like you, we’re also still trying to figure this “new normal” out.

We’d LOVE to see Founders Week turn into a big, annual, week-long in-person summer party one day. For now, we’re taking this opportunity to listen, engage, connect and beta test this brand new concept – all virtually, this year.

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FOUNDERS WEEK TOOLKIT

Founders Week YQG (beta) may be over, but that doesn’t mean that you missed out!

Whether you missed a session, didn’t quite catch that link/tool/book/resource a speaker mentioned, or just want to watch it again, we’ve got you covered. We’ve created a Founders Toolkit and filled it with tangible takeaways, tools, resources and video replays from all of this year’s Founders Week YQG (beta) sessions. Click the button below to check it out!

FOUNDERS TOOLKIT
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CLAUDIUS THOMAS

Founder,
Turaco Web

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SARAH HAEFLING

Founder,
Elevate Podcast Co.

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DHARMIK PARAMKUSHAM

Founder, Mental Resume

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SURRIA FADEL

Co-Founder,
Cedar Valley Selections

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TAYLOR LANOIE

Founder,
Taylor Lanoie Creative Co.

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SAAMER MANSOOR

Founder,
The First Prototype

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DELNA BUHARIWALLA

Co-Founder,
COOK-UP

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DEREK ANDERSON

Founder,
Ignite Health

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Unlike THE “f-word”, we don’t believe that “failure” is a dirty word.

In fact, we think that it should be celebrated. That’s why we’ve invited a group of founders to share their stories of failure in one of Founders Week YQG’s signature events – Failure Night | I Got Knocked Down But I Got Up Again on Friday, November 13th at 6PM.

Virtual attendees can grab a beer (or mocktail) and tune in from the comfort of their home or office to hear from regional Founders and Entrepreneurs as they get real about their mistakes, failures and success.

We’re also creating an animated GIF that can be shared on social media to encourage even more people to share their failures, and most importantly, what they learned from them.

Here’s how it works: Share your fail with us using the button below and we’ll e-mail you a special GIF during Founders Week YQG that you can share on social media platforms using #ShareYourFailYQG. All “fails” will be entered into a draw for your chance to win a cool, local prize!

SHARE YOUR FAIL!
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Do all attendees need a ticket to enter? Yes, everyone must have a ticket to participate in Founders Week 2021. You will receive a message when to RSVP for sessions via our online platform once you register through Eventbrite. (Schedule is coming soon!)

Do I have to be a founder or a part of the startup community to attend? Everyone is welcome, and we encourage attendees to have an interest in entrepreneurship or to be interested to become a part of the community. If you are thinking about becoming a founder or working for a startup this event you cannot miss!

Do I have to attend all 6 days of Founders Week? You are welcome to attend as many or as few events as you would like. We offer over 30 events, 50+ expert and founder speakers through the 6-day conference. Please feel free to attend the events that you find that add value to you and your startup. The conference will hosted virtual (free pass). If you would like to attend all events, we would love that as well!

Who attends Founders Week? There will be hundreds of attendees of #FoundersWeekYQG where the attendees range from founders, startups, community leaders, investors, and more. The founders and startups who attend are at various stages ranging from idea phase, early-stage, and growth stage. It does not matter what part of the startup lifecycle you’re in or if you are a part of the startup community, check out our schedule, content, and events, as you DON’T want to miss out.

How can I best leverage Founders Week YQG to network during the week? This year our event will be virtual event. W encourage attendees tp attend some of the “networking coffee chat” sessions throughout the week in addition to the Founders Week Town Hall.

If I have technical issues who should I contact? If you are having any technical issues the best way to contact us is via email at info@wetech-alliance.com.

When can I see the schedule? The schedule is coming in mid October. If you register now, you will receive an email when the schedule is live.

I bought a ticket, and did not receive the email confirmation? Please first check your spam folder if the email confirmation went to spam instead of your inbox. If you still cannot find it, the best way to contact us is via email at info@wetech-alliance.com.

Can I still be a speaker at Founders Week YQG? If you are interested in speaking at an upcoming Founders Week or one of our other events throughout the year, please subscribe to our newsletter so that you will be the first to know when the new speaker applications open.

Can I still be a sponsor at Founders Week YQG? Yes! We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available for businesses of every size. We would be happy to work with you to find a level that fits your business needs and goals.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions? The best way to contact us is via email: ssheth@wetech-alliance.com.

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BECOME A PARTNER

Founders Week YQG is made possible by our partners. Interested in joining us? Click the button below to check out our Partnership Package.

Questions? Contact our Manager of Programs & Events, Shriaa Sheth.

PARTNER PACKAGE