Cohort 2025-2026
Attention Women Entrepreneurs!
Whether you’re just starting out, growing your business, or scaling to new heights, IWEP has you covered!
Thanks to the generous support of Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, our entrepreneurial skills training cohorts are back! From September 2025 to March 2026*, we’ll be offering three levels of training — beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Each cohort will give you the latest know-how on starting a business in B.C., plus practical skills and hands-on experience to build a strong brand image or refine and run effective marketing campaigns using technology.
You’ll also benefit from:
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Outcome-based entrepreneurial skills training cohort
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1-on-1 business advisory support
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Workshops and mentoring
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Networking opportunities
Click to learn more about our beginner, intermediate and advanced cohorts.
IWEP is everything you need to kick-start your business journey. Spots are limited, apply today!
*IWEP reserves the right to modify cohort dates and content as needed.
Beginner Cohort
September - October, 2025
Have a business idea but need the tools and confidence to bring it to life?
Our Beginner Cohort, running from September to October 2025, offers a 5-day intensive program, tentatively from September 22 to 26, that combines essential business theory with hands-on practical exercises.
During the program, participants will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of:
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Creating a solid business plan
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Conducting market research
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Building a strong brand foundation
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Understanding registration and licensing requirements
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Establishing a digital presence
By the end of the cohort, you’ll gain:
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A drafted business plan and starter budget
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Clarity on your niche and market positioning
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A basic set of branding materials
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Knowledge of the permits and licenses needed to start
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A strengthened brand and online presence
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Personalized 1-on-1 advisory support
The journey doesn’t end with the workshops! You’ll keep building momentum through personalized advisory support, interactive sessions, mentorship, and a vibrant community of fellow entrepreneurs.
Ready to move forward? Graduates of the Beginner Cohort may be eligible to join our Intermediate and Advanced Cohorts as their business develops.
Intermediate Cohort
November - December, 2025
Running a small business comes with its challenges, we understand, because we've been there. That’s why we know exactly what kind of support makes the biggest difference.
Join our Intermediate Cohort, running from November to December 2025, for an intensive 5-day entrepreneurial training program, tentatively from November 17 to 21, that blends practical experience with essential business theory.
Participants will build skills in:
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Business planning and refinement
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Service packaging and pricing
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Digital presence and branding
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Marketing strategy
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Financial management
By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with:
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A stronger business plan and brand identity
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Refined service offerings
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Improved online presence
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Improved financial management practices
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Personalized 1-on-1 advisory support
Your growth continues beyond the intensive workshops. Benefit from tailored 1-on-1 guidance, practical thematic sessions, expert mentoring, and meaningful connections with like-minded entrepreneurs.
Ready to go further? Graduates of the Intermediate Cohort may be eligible to join our Advanced Cohort, designed for businesses prepared to scale and grow.
Advanced Cohort
January - February, 2026
Starting a business isn’t easy, expanding one is a whole new challenge.
Our Advanced Cohort, running from January to February 2026, is designed for entrepreneurs ready to scale. This intensive 5-day training program, from January 19 to 23, that blends hands-on experience with strategic business development tools.
Participants will have the opportunity to develop skills in:
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Refining and strengthening their brand presence online
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Exploring strategies for entering new markets
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Developing approaches for securing contracts and funding
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Identifying opportunities to enhance or diversify products and services
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Learning how AI tools can support operations, marketing, and decision-making
By the end of the program, you'll gain:
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Practical tools, templates, and frameworks to guide your next steps in business growth
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Insights and strategies to elevate your brand and explore new markets
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A clearer plan for pursuing contracts, funding, or product/service expansion
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Exposure to AI tools for optimizing operations and marketing efforts
The learning doesn’t stop here! After the intensive workshops, you’ll continue growing with 1-on-1 advisory support, hands-on thematic sessions, mentoring, and connections with fellow entrepreneurs.
Ready to take your business to the next stage?