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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260331T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260331T203000
DTSTAMP:20260406T101709
CREATED:20260116T173447Z
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UID:92419-1774981800-1774989000@yesmontreal.ca
SUMMARY:NEW! The Secret of Being Chosen - How Emotional Connection Makes You The Obvious Choice
DESCRIPTION:Grow Your Brand Through Emotional Connection — Learn How to Create Real Impact\nGrow Your Brand Through Emotional Connection — Learn how to create real impact in a fast-moving digital world where authenticity is often lost. \nWhy Emotional Connection Matters\nIn a digital world crowded with content\, accelerated by AI\, and driven by speed\, brands are producing more than ever\, yet connecting less. As creation becomes faster\, authenticity is often lost\, and many brands confuse volume and performance with real impact. \nThe result is sameness\, visual fatigue\, and emotional numbness. People are no longer choosing what is technically “better.” They are craving human presence\, real intention\, and brands that make them feel something. \nWhat You Will Learn\nThe Psychology Behind Choice and Brand Memory\nThrough real examples\, interactive reflections\, and practical exercises\, participants will learn how emotional connection drives memory\, preference\, and choice\, and why comparison only happens when connection is missing. \n\nUnderstand why 95% of purchasing decisions happen subconsciously and how emotion influences choice before logic\nLearn how to create emotional associations that make their brand memorable\nWalk away with a practical framework to apply emotional connection to brand messaging\, content\, and visual presence\n\nWho This Talk Is For\nThis talk is designed to help entrepreneurs connect more deeply with their audience and become the brand people choose with confidence — not the one they compare. \nSpeaker\nSpeaker: Fernanda Ervilha\, Brand Designer specializing in Emotional Connection & Brand Essence. \nPre-registration is required. This workshop is presented in English and available online. \nSign Up Here\nAbout the speaker\nFernanda Ervilha is a brand strategist and designer with over 17 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and purpose-driven businesses build brands that connect emotionally and stand out authentically. \nAs the founder of FDesign Mindful Branding\, Fernanda specializes in uncovering a brand’s essence and translating it into meaningful stories\, messaging\, and visual identities that people remember and choose. \nHer work sits at the intersection of branding\, human behavior\, and emotional connection\, guiding business owners to move beyond features and competition and instead build brands rooted in values\, feeling\, and human presence. \nFernanda believes that strong brands are not built by being louder or faster\, but by being felt. \nOnce you register for the online workshop\, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in. If you haven’t received the email an hour before the workshop starts\, please check your Spam/Junk folder. \nTo learn more about our services for entrepreneurs\, click here. \n*This low registration fee is only possible thanks to our generous funders and partners.
URL:https://yesmontreal.ca/event/grow-your-brand-through-emotional-connection/
LOCATION:Online / Remote\, Canada
CATEGORIES:ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs,Entrepreneurship,Evening,Virtual
ORGANIZER;CN="YES Employment + Entrepreneurship":MAILTO:info@yesmontreal.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260407T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260407T203000
DTSTAMP:20260406T101709
CREATED:20260213T210720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T150200Z
UID:93446-1775586600-1775593800@yesmontreal.ca
SUMMARY:Startup Creation\, Rewritten: Building a Defensible AI Venture
DESCRIPTION:  \nBuilding a Defensible AI Venture: How to Create Long‑Term Competitive Advantage\nCheap prototypes are easy. Defensible startups are not. \nThis session goes beyond generic MVPs to explore how AI ventures create true data moats\, architectural trust\, and long-term defensibility. You’ll learn how leading founders think about risk\, bias\, hallucination\, and liability — and how these considerations shape product and business decisions from day one. \nYou’ll Learn How To:\n\nBuild data moats that can’t be easily replicated\nDesign trust and risk management into your AI architecture\nMove from “AI-powered” to truly defensible\n\nEvent Details\nSpeakers:\nFred Rouhani (Business Advisor\, YES)\nDr. Stefania Pecore (AI Expert\, UNESCO Women4Ethical AI Program; Executive Director\, Women Techmakers Montréal)\nDr. Elham Kheradmand (CEO\, Lucid Axion) \nDate & Time: Tuesday\, April 7\, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM \nFormat: Online. This workshop is presented in English. \nCost: $20.00* \nSign Up Here\nAbout Startup Creation\, Rewritten\nStartup Creation\, Rewritten is a three‑part speaker series revealing how the next generation of impactful startups is being built in an AI‑driven world. With smaller teams moving faster and traditional advantages disappearing\, this series breaks down what actually matters now — defensibility\, specialization\, and sharp execution. \nAcross three focused sessions\, you’ll learn practical frameworks\, explore real founder case studies\, and gain decision‑ready tools you can apply immediately. If you’re building or supporting a tech‑enabled venture and want to stay relevant\, competitive\, and fundable in 2026 and beyond\, this series is your roadmap. \nAbout the speakers:\nFred Rouhani (Business Advisor\, YES)\nFred helps organizations make the AI-native leap and equips entrepreneurs with an AI-native startup mindset. His work is built on one simple belief: Technology must serve as a force multiplier for human capability. \nHe sees a world reshaping in front of our eyes with humans and machines co-creating together. \n  \nDr. Stefania Pecore (AI Expert for UNESCO’s Women4Ethical AI Program\, Women Techmakers Montréal\, Executive Director)\nStefania is a recognized leader in inclusive communication and responsible AI.  Her career began by introducing the first AI and automatic translation subject at an Italian university. After earning her master’s and Ph.D. in Computer Science\, she applied her expertise in NLP and AI across diverse industries\, from education to video games. \nShe is a driving force behind implementing Data Governance frameworks and AI ethics principles in enterprise strategies\, often guided by UNESCO recommendations. She is passionate advocate for empowering women in tech. Stefania is an ambassador for Women Techmakers\, Women in AI\, and Women in Games. She currently serves as the Executive Director for Women Techmakers Montréal. Her commitment to ethical AI culminated in her appointment as an AI Expert for UNESCO’s Women4Ethical AI program\, and her subsequent election as an Ethical AI Expert Without Borders\, where she helps implement UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI worldwide. \nToday\, she supports several founders through Don’t Tech Stress with a precise mission in mind: to take care of the tech burden to let founders push their creativity to the next level. \nDr. Elham Kheradmand (Lucid Axion\, CEO)\nElham is a mathematician and AI researcher dedicated to advancing AI for social good\, with a focus on sustainable finance (ESG)\, climate change\, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics with a full GPA and has an excellent academic record\, earning numerous prestigious scholarships and awards. She has been recognized for her contributions with distinguished honors\, including ESG AI Leader of the Year 2022 and Women in AI Award winner (AI for social good) in North America in 2025.\n\nA thought leader in AI for sustainability\, Elham actively engages in discussions on the future of AI\, ESG\, and corporate accountability. She is shaping the intersection of technology and sustainable finance. Beyond her technical expertise\, she is passionate about empowering women in their personal and professional growth. She dedicates time to volunteer initiatives supporting this mission.\nOnce registered\, you will receive an email with login instructions a few hours before the workshop starts. If you don’t see the email one hour before the start time\, please check your Spam or Junk folder. \nTo learn more about our services for entrepreneurs\, click here. \n*This low registration fee is only possible thanks to our generous funders and partners.
URL:https://yesmontreal.ca/event/building-defensible-ai-venture/
LOCATION:Online / Remote\, Canada
CATEGORIES:ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs,Entrepreneurship,Evening,Virtual
ORGANIZER;CN="YES Employment + Entrepreneurship":MAILTO:info@yesmontreal.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260505T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260505T203000
DTSTAMP:20260406T101709
CREATED:20250217T154223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T230044Z
UID:82354-1778005800-1778013000@yesmontreal.ca
SUMMARY:Essential Financial Skills to Build Confidence
DESCRIPTION:Essential Financial Skills to Build Confidence\nGain Control Over Your Business Finances 💡\nNavigating your business finances with confidence is crucial to growing your business\, and developing essential financial skills to build confidence is the first step. Understanding key financial principles helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions\, avoid costly mistakes\, and set realistic goals for success. \nJoin this interactive workshop\, led by Ronika Khanna\, CPA\, CFA\, founder of Montreal Financial\, to strengthen your financial literacy and run your business with confidence. 🌟 \nWhy Financial Confidence Matters 💰\nMany entrepreneurs struggle with financial uncertainty\, which can lead to stress and hinder growth. By improving your financial skills\, you gain:✅ Clarity on managing cash flow effectively✅ The ability to set achievable financial goals✅ Strategies to avoid common financial pitfalls \nClaim Your Spot Now!\n  \nWhat You’ll Learn 📖\n1. Improve Cash Flow Management 💵\nDiscover why cash flow is the lifeblood of your business and how to keep it healthy. \n2. Set Realistic Financial Goals 🎯\nLearn how to create clear\, achievable financial targets that support long-term growth. \n3. Avoid Costly Financial Mistakes ⚠️\nIdentify common financial missteps and how to prevent them to keep your business thriving. \nTake Action Today! 🚀\nWalk away with actionable insights\, practical tools\, and the confidence to make smarter financial decisions. Secure your spot today and start building a solid foundation for success! 🌱 \nRegister Today!\n\n\nAbout the speaker:\nRonika Khanna CPA\, CFA\nFounder of Montreal Financial \nRonika Khanna is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)\, and the founder of Montreal Financial. With previous roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers and ING Risk Management Limited\, Ronika launched her firm to provide accounting\, tax\, and financial consulting services primarily for small businesses\, startups\, freelancers\, and the self-employed. Her approach is focused on simplifying financial complexities\, enhancing financial literacy\, and empowering business owners with the knowledge to manage their finances confidently. An author of several small business books\, Ronika also regularly contributes expert advice to various media outlets who are looking for guidance about small business and personal finance.  \n  \nLearn more about our ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs program! \nThis workshop is made accessible to you at no cost\, thanks to generous funding from the Government of Canada and Yspace: York University. \n*Please Note: Pre-registration is required. This workshop is presented in English (with French subtitles) and is available as an online\, live streaming webinar only. \nOnce you have registered\, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log on a few hours prior to the start time of the workshop. Please check your Spam/Junk folder if you have not received your email with instructions one hour prior to the start time of the workshop.
URL:https://yesmontreal.ca/event/essential-financial-skills-to-build-confidence/
LOCATION:Online / Remote\, Canada
CATEGORIES:ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs,Entrepreneurship,Evening,Virtual,Women Entrepreneurship
ORGANIZER;CN="YES Employment + Entrepreneurship":MAILTO:info@yesmontreal.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260512T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260512T203000
DTSTAMP:20260406T101709
CREATED:20260312T145640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T200940Z
UID:94258-1778610600-1778617800@yesmontreal.ca
SUMMARY:Securing Funds for Your Purpose-Driven Startup
DESCRIPTION:Learn How to Fund Your Purpose-Driven Startup and Scale Your Impact\nLearn how to fund your purpose-driven startup and scale your impact through practical insights and tools. Raising capital for a purpose-driven venture requires strategy\, clarity\, and understanding what funders look for. In this workshop\, participants will learn how to get funding for your purpose-driven startup and scale with impact through practical\, real-world examples and actionable strategies. \nLed by Faduma Gure\nLed by Faduma Gure\, Maternal Health Researcher and Founder of LISS Technologies\, the session shares the story behind securing $195\,000 from the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT) to pilot a breastfeeding initiative in Somalia. Participants will learn the steps\, mindset\, and strategies Faduma used to validate her innovation\, navigate impact-focused funders\, and refine her product using data-driven insights. \nPositioning Your Purpose-Driven Venture for Funding\nThe workshop teaches participants how to clearly articulate the impact of their innovation and present it in a way that attracts investors\, grants\, or pilot opportunities. By understanding funders’ priorities and expectations\, founders can position their venture to demonstrate measurable outcomes\, scalability\, and relevance in their sector. \nAttendees will explore strategies for approaching grants\, investors\, and pilot programs while keeping their mission at the center of all communications. These tools empower entrepreneurs to confidently approach funding opportunities without compromising their values or vision. \nValidate\, Test\, and Scale With Confidence\nA key takeaway of the session is learning how to validate innovations through real-world testing and data. Participants will gain insights into designing pilots\, collecting meaningful data\, and using it to strengthen their case for funding. \nBy the end of the workshop\, attendees will have:\n\nA clear understanding of how to position a purpose-driven product for funding\nPractical strategies for approaching grants\, pilots\, and impact-focused investors\nInsights into validating innovations through real-world testing and data\n\nWho Should Attend?\nThis session is ideal for entrepreneurs in health\, social impact\, or any purpose-driven sector who want to attract funding and scale their ventures successfully. \nSpeaker\nSpeaker: Faduma Gure\, Maternal Health Researcher and Founder of LISS Technologies \nRegister Today!\n\n\nAbout the speaker:\nFaduma Gure | Maternal Health Researcher and Founder of LISS Technologies\nFaduma Gure is a maternal health researcher and the founder of LISS Technologies\, a Canadian-based startup looking to support breastfeeding moms and newborns globally through innovative and accessible technological solutions.   \n After developing the world’s first solar-powered breast pump\, Faduma secured $195\,000 from FIT (the Fund for Innovation and Transformation) to test this innovation in Somalia. With this funding\, Faduma was able to pilot her innovation and provide breast pumps to mothers and ensure their newborns had access to breast milk. This FIT-supported initiative proved successful\, and Faduma has since gone on to revise the devices and integrate a data-driven component to ensure mothers and their newborns are better supported in their breastfeeding journeys.  \nLearn more about our ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs program! \nThis workshop is made accessible to you at no cost\, thanks to generous funding from the Government of Canada and Yspace: York University. \n*Please Note: Pre-registration is required. This workshop is presented in English (with French subtitles) and is available as an online\, live streaming webinar only. \nOnce you have registered\, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log on a few hours prior to the start time of the workshop. Please check your Spam/Junk folder if you have not received your email with instructions one hour prior to the start time of the workshop.
URL:https://yesmontreal.ca/event/fund-your-purpose-driven-startup-and-scale-your-impact/
LOCATION:Online / Remote\, Canada
CATEGORIES:ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs,Entrepreneurship,Evening,Virtual
ORGANIZER;CN="YES Employment + Entrepreneurship":MAILTO:info@yesmontreal.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260526T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260526T203000
DTSTAMP:20260406T101709
CREATED:20260312T190929Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T195321Z
UID:94270-1779820200-1779827400@yesmontreal.ca
SUMMARY:Navigating Hard Conversations in Early Stage Startups
DESCRIPTION:Learn How to Handle Tough Startup Conversations With Legal Confidence\nFounders often spend months perfecting their product but less time on the crucial conversations and agreements that sustain a healthy team. In this workshop\, participants will learn to handle tough startup conversations with confidence and legal clarity\, gaining practical strategies to discuss roles\, responsibilities\, compensation\, time commitments\, and equity with partners and investors. \nLed by Niousha Riahi\nLed by Niousha Riahi\, Business and Litigation Lawyer and Startup Governance Specialist in Montréal\, this session is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen communication and governance practices. Drawing from her extensive experience advising startups on contracts\, partnership structures\, and conflict prevention\, Niousha provides actionable tools to avoid misunderstandings\, define boundaries\, and protect ventures legally. \nSet Boundaries and Prevent Conflict Early\nThe workshop emphasizes proactive conversations to ensure clarity and alignment within the team. Participants will explore methods to establish clear roles\, document expectations\, and address sensitive topics before they escalate. Learning to handle tough startup conversations with confidence and legal clarity helps founders prevent costly disputes and build a foundation of trust among co-founders and contributors. \nYou’ll learn what needs to be discussed\, what should be documented\, and how to approach sensitive topics while preserving relationships and ownership rights. \nCompensation\, Equity\, and Legal Guidance\nA major focus of the session is understanding compensation\, equity distribution\, and legal formalization. Attendees will receive guidance on structuring agreements that protect both the founders and early contributors while aligning incentives for growth. Practical tools include frameworks for initiating difficult conversations\, legal best practices\, and innovative solutions to maintain business ownership and attract committed partners. \nBy the end of the workshop\, participants will walk away with:\n\nA law-informed framework for initiating hard conversations with co-founders and investors\nPractical tools for setting boundaries\, documenting expectations\, and preventing conflict\nGuidance on compensation\, equity\, and roles with legal insights to protect ownership\n\nThis session equips early-stage founders to communicate effectively\, formalize agreements appropriately\, and foster a healthy startup culture. \nSpeaker\nSpeaker: Niousha Rahi\, Business and Litigation Lawyer & Startup Governance Specialist \nRegister Today!\n\n\nAbout the speaker:\nNiousha Rahi\, Business and Litigation Lawyer & Startup Governance Specialist\nNiousha Riahi is a business and litigation lawyer in Montréal specializing in startup governance\, commercial agreements\, and conflict prevention. She supports founders in building strong legal foundations that foster trust\, protect relationships\, and safeguard long-term growth. Niousha has a decade of experience spanning government roles and private-sector practice. She has represented both emerging startups and multinational corporations in national and multijurisdictional matters.  \nAs the founder of Riahi Legal\, Niousha leads a boutique law firm recognized for excellence in civil and commercial litigation. Since 2024\, the firm has been named by ThreeBestRated.ca as one of Montréal’s top three civil litigation law firms. It has been ranked among TrustAnalytica’s Top 10 Reliable Small Business Lawyers. More recently\, Riahi Legal has also been listed among Montréal’s top five family law firms.  \nBeyond her practice\, Niousha contributes regularly to legal workshops and public-facing publications aimed at entrepreneurs and the wider community. She also serves on the board of non-profit organizations\, reflecting her deep commitment to community engagement and accessible legal education.  \nLearn more about our ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs program! \nThis workshop is made accessible to you at no cost\, thanks to generous funding from the Government of Canada and Yspace: York University. \n*Please Note: Pre-registration is required. This workshop is presented in English (with French subtitles) and is available as an online\, live streaming webinar only. \nOnce you have registered\, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log on a few hours prior to the start time of the workshop. Please check your Spam/Junk folder if you have not received your email with instructions one hour prior to the start time of the workshop.
URL:https://yesmontreal.ca/event/learn-how-to-handle-tough-startup-conversations-with-legal-confidence/
LOCATION:Online / Remote\, Canada
CATEGORIES:ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs,Entrepreneurship,Evening,Virtual
ORGANIZER;CN="YES Employment + Entrepreneurship":MAILTO:info@yesmontreal.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260602T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260602T203000
DTSTAMP:20260406T101709
CREATED:20260204T215149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T221200Z
UID:93018-1780425000-1780432200@yesmontreal.ca
SUMMARY:From Lead to Close: Real Sales Skills That Deliver
DESCRIPTION:Unlock the sales skills that drive real business growth\nSales don’t have to feel pushy or intimidating. In this online workshop\, you’ll discover practical\, step-by-step techniques to confidently move from generating leads to closing deals. Whether you’re just starting out or want to strengthen your approach\, you’ll gain the tools you need to sell with authenticity and ease. Plus\, you’ll learn how to build trust at every stage of the process.  \nWhat you’ll learn\n\nHow to turn leads into loyal clients\nProven strategies to build trust and credibility\nClosing techniques that feel natural and effective\n\nWhy join this workshop?\nAs an entrepreneur\, having strong sales skills can unlock new growth and opportunities. Additionally\, this workshop will boost your confidence\, refine your pitch\, and help you approach sales in a way that works for you. By participating\, you will see how small changes can create big results.  \nReserve your spot today!\nDon’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your sales skills and take your business to the next level. Register now to secure your place! By the end of the session\, you will walk away ready to turn conversations into clients. \nSecure Your Spot!\n\n🔗 Register now and take your business to the next level! 🚀 \nAbout the speaker:\nChris Ramoutar\, Regional Lead – The Americas\, Alphanumeric Systems \nChris brings 20 years of work experience\, the majority in sales and people management. Holder of an MBA from Concordia University\, he has experience working in a range of industries thanks to years in the Contact Centre world. During his workshop\, expect to hear examples from Travel and Hospitality\, Telecommunications\, Start-ups\, Technology and now Pharmaceuticals as he draws from his most recent move into this space with Alphanumeric Systems. \n*Please Note: Pre-registration is required. This workshop is presented in English and is available as an online\, live streaming webinar only. \nOnce you have registered\, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log on a few hours prior to the start time of the workshop. Please check your Spam/Junk folder if you have not received your email with instructions one hour prior to the start time of the workshop.
URL:https://yesmontreal.ca/event/turn-leads-into-clients/
LOCATION:Online / Remote\, Canada
CATEGORIES:ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs,Entrepreneurship,Evening,Virtual
ORGANIZER;CN="YES Employment + Entrepreneurship":MAILTO:info@yesmontreal.ca
END:VEVENT
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