ecosystem
key concepts
main understands that it can be complex to navigate the business support ecosystem and understand certain terms.
For this reason, we have included definitions of terms frequently used in business language throughout the site.
here, main shares some useful concepts to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
accelerator
enables entrepreneurs to develop and implement their business ideas.accelerator start-ups access to a variety of resources, such as mentoring, workspaces, and investment opportunities.
IEA
abbreviation – business accelerator incubator.
Performance Measurement Framework (PMF)
The IEA CMR is an annual survey co-developed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and leading Canadian IEAs. This voluntary initiative allows organizations to benchmark their performance with a view to improving it.
Venture capital
form of financing provided by established investors in exchange for equity in a startup
startup ecosystem
geographically anchored network composed of individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders with the goal of supporting startups.
startup community
geographically anchored network composed of individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders with the goal of supporting startups.
industrial cluster
Geographic concentrations of companies and institutions that collaborate in the development of a specific industry sector, for example, the telecommunications, life sciences, or nanotechnology sectors.
incubator
An organization that helps entrepreneurs launch their businesses. Among other things, incubators offer training in entrepreneurship, financial management, and marketing.
saas
short for software as a service. A business model in which software is installed on remote servers rather than on the user's machine.
Startup
A company founded less than five years ago, whose digital technology and innovation are at the heart of a business model with strong growth potential.
Funding round
refers both to the process of financing a company and to each stage of that process, for example, fundraising and investment rounds with investors.
Pre-seed
The phase where a person has a startup idea. They then go to their family or an "angel" to ask for money in exchange for a share of what the company could become in the future. This initial sum, which can often reach between $50,000 and $200,000, is used to build a prototype.
Seed
The phase where a person has a startup idea. They then go to their family or an "angel" to ask for money in exchange for a share of what the company could become in the future. This initial sum, which can often reach between $50,000 and $200,000, is used to build a prototype.
Pre-series A
This is when the product or solution is actually built. The round will then be used to improve it. Often, companies try to raise between $450,000 and $1.5 or $2 million. Then come the other rounds, the number and amounts of which depend on the company's goals and the size of the target market.
Series A
This is when the product or solution is actually built. The round will then allow for improvements to be made. Often, the goal is to raise between $450,000 and $1.5 or $2 million. Next come the other rounds, the number and amounts of which depend on the company's goals and the size of the target market.
KPI
A KPI (short for Key Performance Indicator) is a measurable and quantifiable performance indicator used to track progress toward a specific goal or objective.