OUT For Business 2020 Program Launch
CGLCC makes supporting young people in the LGBT+ community a priority and with over 3.4 million entrepreneurs in Canada alone, it is important to ensure that they have the support needed to succeed.
That is why the CGLCC is thrilled to launch the 2020 cohort of the OUT for Business Program. This program is designed to help uplift LGBT+ businesses and foster greater diversity and inclusion across Canada’s economic landscape. Each entrepreneur enters the program with the business idea that they would like to take to the next level. With the amazing and consistent support of their one-on-one mentor, these young entrepreneurs are guided through a 12-month program that identifies areas for improvement, forms competitive strategies and scales their ideas to help them thrive in a competitive market. Throughout the program, participants will refine their hypothesized business model based on feedback from peers and mentors and will leave with the tools and network required to launch or grow their business.
The OUT for Business program is run coast-to-coast-to-coast, with participants coming from various backgrounds and experiences. Of our young entrepreneurs over 30% are based outside of the Ontario region and 50% identify as trans. Also, this program would be non-existent without our generous mentors, who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the table. Not only have they spent years navigating the idiosyncrasies of the business world, but they also understand the challenges and rewards of creating an inclusive economy.
“For Canada to grow and for our communities to grow, we need to realize and understand the importance of diversity. We are all very different so we have to understand the importance that each of the different groups within the LGBT+ community can bring. Intersectionality is important to keep in mind, so we shape our programming to ensure we are speaking to everyone and providing value to everyone” said Darrell Shuurman, CEO of CGLCC.
We are excited to introduce to you the 2020 OUT for Business young entrepreneurs and their mentors below. Stay tuned for more information on each pair, we are confident this year is going to be nothing short of amazing!
| MENTEES | MENTORS |
| B Adair | Gregg Brown |
| Connor O’Remus | David Bradstock |
| Donna Hughes | Carmelo Millimaci |
| Alex Norris | Javier Santos |
| Charlie Hidalgo | James Connell |
| Dustin Blondin-Jeune | Robin Russell |
| Julian Mignott | Al Ramsay |
| Kenneth Wong | Marc-Andre Maheu |
| Toni Johnson | Sapna Mahboobani |
| Sophie Edwards | Rocco Fazzolari |
| Rafael Silva | Ben Gully |
| Tim Cambell | Heidi Ruggier |
| Scarlett McAllister | Paul King |
| Jordan Hipson | Zachary Pendley |
| Silvain Brisson | Nicholas Wegel |
| Karibu Ramos | Patti Ristich |
