ONSIDE

What ONSIDE does

ONSIDE (legal name: Organization for Nova Scotia Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship) is a Canadian not-for-profit community accelerator founded in 2019 and headquartered at Volta in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The organization convenes, connects, and catalyzes inclusive innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE), with a primary mission of supporting women and non-binary entrepreneurs across Canada — including those with disabilities, Indigenous women, rural founders, recent immigrants, visible minorities, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Its flagship offering, the Start Now Incubator, has cumulatively supported more than 2,500 entrepreneurs since launch in 2022 and is delivered both virtually (national reach) and in-person in Halifax.

The product surface is program- and content-led rather than technology-led. Core offerings include the Start Now Incubator, the MIT REAP Nova Scotia initiative, the Nova Scotia Inclusive Innovation Monitor (a research dashboard tracking 30+ indicators), the ONSIDE Podcast hosted by Executive Director Alex McCann, the annual Radiant Voices Resilient Ventures conference, and a growing slate of workshops covering pricing, branding, sales (Jewel Business Sales School via Safi Media), planning (Planning for Growth via DLM Consulting), financials, and AI/automation literacy (Early AI Adoption Lab via Camp Tech, AI for Growth Series, Grow Your Business With Automation & AI). The underlying technology stack is standard web and SaaS — Squarespace-hosted website, Google Analytics, HighLevel CRM, WordPress training — with no proprietary models, patents, or APIs disclosed.

The business model is grant-funded philanthropy: ONSIDE receives core funding from the federal Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and partners with MIT REAP, Mashup Lab, YWCA Halifax, Brookfield Institute, and others. Programs are provided free of charge to participants; demographic data on participants is shared with funders in aggregated form as a condition of grant compliance. The organization has 11-50 employees, is governed by a board chaired by Chere Chapman, and operates with Alex McCann as Executive Director.

Name

ONSIDE

Legal name

Organization for Nova Scotia Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship

Website

https://onsidenow.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ONSIDE is a Canadian not-for-profit community accelerator, founded 2019 in Halifax, that runs the Start Now Incubator and related programs to support women and non-binary entrepreneurs across Canada, funded primarily by federal Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Community Accelerator Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), Live Audio Q&A, Coaching & Mentorship Platforms (MPACAEAI)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship support services
• Community accelerator programs
• Women entrepreneur mentorship
• Inclusive innovation ecosystem
• Startup incubator workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Halifax

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: ONSIDE receives funding from government agencies including the Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Funding conditions require collection of demographic data on project participants, shared with funding agencies in aggregated format.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ONSIDE is a not-for-profit community accelerator that delivers free programs, mentorship, peer learning, and events to women and non-binary entrepreneurs across Canada, with a focus on rural, Indigenous, newcomer, and underrepresented founders. Its flagship offering is the Start Now Incubator, supported by research (Nova Scotia Inclusive Innovation Monitor), the ONSIDE Podcast, an annual conference (Radiant Voices Resilient Ventures), and topic-specific workshops on pricing, sales, AI, branding, and financial literacy. Programs are delivered virtually nationally and through in-person convenings in Halifax, Nova Scotia, all funded via government grants and ecosystem partnerships.

Product overview

ONSIDE is a community accelerator that operates as a platform-plus-programs model, combining direct entrepreneurship support services with research insights and media content. The core offering is the Start Now Incubator, a nationwide accelerator supporting women and non-binary entrepreneurs with workshops, mentorship, and peer learning. Supporting programs include MIT REAP - Nova Scotia (regional innovation acceleration), the Nova Scotia Inclusive Innovation Monitor (research dashboard tracking inclusive innovation indicators), the ONSIDE Podcast (media content featuring entrepreneur interviews), and Radiant Voices, Resilient Ventures (flagship annual event). Specialized skills programs include the Early AI Adoption Lab, AI for Growth Series, Grow Your Business With Automation & AI, Jewel Business Sales School, Planning for Growth, Pricing Workshops, Brand Story workshops, WordPress Fundamentals, and Getting Started With Your Financials. The organization serves as an aggregator and convener of resources, partners, and learning opportunities rather than a standalone software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Start Now Incubator A nationwide launchpad program empowering diverse and underserved women across Canada to explore, start, and grow their businesses with community and flexible supports. Has supported over 2,500 women and non-binary entrepreneurs across Canada.
• MIT REAP - Nova Scotia Evidence-based regional innovation accelerator program applying MIT global best practices and collaborative learning to help Nova Scotia leaders shape locally driven strategies for inclusive economic growth.
• Nova Scotia Inclusive Innovation Monitor A research dashboard tracking over 30 indicators across three pillars (Opportunities, Activity, Outcomes) to measure inclusive innovation in Nova Scotia and identify gaps and opportunities.
• ONSIDE Podcast A podcast hosted by Alex McCann featuring conversations with Canadian innovators, entrepreneurs, and change makers, including diverse women entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
• Radiant Voices Resilient Ventures Conference ONSIDE's flagship annual event bringing together women entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders for inspiration, networking, and professional development.
• Early AI Adoption Lab A 6-part in-person program led by Camp Tech, equipping early-stage entrepreneurs with practical AI skills through clear, actionable strategies without tech jargon.
• Jewel Business Sales School A 2-part sales training cohort from Safi Media designed to equip women entrepreneurs with mindset, skills, and systems to lead sales confidently, followed by a 30-day sales sprint.
• Planning for Growth: Strategically Growing Your Business A 4-week virtual program guiding women entrepreneurs through strategic growth planning, aligning opportunities with business goals, with live sessions, coaching, and peer accountability groups.
• AI for Growth Series A practical AI workshop series for women entrepreneurs covering discovering new markets, preparing for trade shows and networking, and uncovering revenue opportunities.
• Grow Your Business With Automation & AI Hands-on course teaching HighLevel CRM features to supercharge marketing, sales, and day-to-day operations, alongside free and low-cost AI tools for business.
• Pricing Workshops (Price With Confidence and Positioned for Success) Interactive workshops including Price With Confidence and Positioned for Success, teaching pricing strategies and tools for women entrepreneurs to communicate value and grow revenue.
• Getting Started With Your Financials 90-minute crash-course webinar on financial modeling for founders without a finance background, covering cashflow management strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,500 women and non-binary entrepreneurs have been supported through the Start Now Incubator program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mashup LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Mashup Lab to provide the Virtual Business Incubator Project. Mashup Lab participates in the Start Now Incubator through programs like Mashup Lab that help entrepreneurs clarify goals and planning.
• MIT REAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP) Focus Nova Scotia equipped Nova Scotia to accelerate inclusive innovation-driven entrepreneurship using evidence-based frameworks and global best practices. ONSIDE participated in this program and subsequently deployed an IDE Community Acceleration Fund.
• YWCA HalifaxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting partnership for events including Business Show and Tell and Co-CreateHER networking events.
• Campus2MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the ONSIDE + Campus2Market Discover Program combining innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact skills.
• Safi MediacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSafi Media, founded by Eleanor Beaton, provides the Jewel Business Sales School program through ONSIDE's Start Now Incubator. This training helps women founders build sustainable sales systems and confidence.
• Camp TechminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCamp Tech leads the Early AI Adoption Lab, a 6-part program equipping early-stage entrepreneurs with practical AI skills. Part of AI Skills Lab Canada initiative.
• DLM ConsultingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaurissa Manning and Lauren Sears of DLM Consulting facilitate programs including Planning for Growth, Dare to be Different, and Fireside Chats. They guide entrepreneurs on business strategy and leadership.
• VoltaminorOthersONSIDE is headquartered at Volta, a startup hub in Halifax. Volta provides the physical office location for ONSIDE.
• Tribe NetworkminorOthersTribe Network serves as a venue partner for ONSIDE events like Cheerful Connections, providing space for women entrepreneur gatherings in Halifax.
• Brookfield InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerONSIDE's Inclusive Innovation Monitor draws on data from the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship national project. The Institute is now part of The Dias at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Haltech: Regional innovation centre supporting tech startups in the Halton/Halifax corridor, comparable to ONSIDE in its role as a community-driven accelerator and event host for early-stage founders.
• Innovacorp: Atlantic Canada's early-stage technology accelerator based in Nova Scotia, highly comparable to ONSIDE as a regional innovation ecosystem player operating in the same Halifax geography.

Direct peers

• Futurpreneur Canada: National non-profit providing financing, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs in Canada, highly comparable to ONSIDE in mission, target audience, and grant-funded program delivery.
• Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC): National umbrella for organizations supporting women entrepreneurs in Canada, directly comparable to ONSIDE as a coordinating body and ecosystem advocate for women-led business growth across regions.

Broad incumbents

• Startup Canada: National entrepreneurship advocacy and community organization running programs, awards, and resource hubs for Canadian founders, comparable to ONSIDE in its role as a national convener and ecosystem builder.
• BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada): Canada's business development bank with a dedicated Women Entrepreneur program offering financing and advisory services, comparable as a broader incumbent operating inclusive-entrepreneurship initiatives at national scale.
• YWCA Canada: National women-focused community organization delivering empowerment programs including entrepreneurship support, comparable to ONSIDE in its women-centered mission and co-hosted events such as Business Show and Tell.

Others

• Volta: Halifax startup hub and innovation centre that hosts ONSIDE's headquarters and provides venue support, adjacent as an infrastructure partner enabling ecosystem programming in the same geography.

Emerging players

• The51: Female-focused financial platform and venture fund providing capital, education, and community to women entrepreneurs across North America, comparable to ONSIDE in its women-entrepreneur focus and community-plus-program model.
• Springboard Enterprises: Global accelerator connecting women founders with capital, mentorship, and networks, comparable to ONSIDE in its targeted programming and outcome-focused support for high-growth women-led ventures.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/onsidenow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ONSIDE