Startup Cofounder | Industry Expert

About the job

What if your next career move was to cofound a startup?

You've spent years building expertise in your industry, leading teams, developing products or solving complex business challenges. Now, imagine putting that experience toward building a company of your own.

La CoFonderie is a 12-week entrepreneurial program by V1 Studio, starting in March 2027, that brings together 28 individuals with complementary expertise to form founding teams, develop innovative technology startups and pitch to investors.

Each team pairs scientists and engineers, who bring the technology, with professionals like you, who bring the market knowledge, customer insight and business judgment needed to turn it into a company.

This is not a traditional job or salaried position. You're applying to join an entrepreneurial program designed to help you become a startup cofounder, where you receive up to $2,500 per month for three months. No startup experience or business idea is required.

About you

We're looking for experienced professionals with strong industry knowledge, business expertise, and the ambition to build something of their own.

You might be:

• An industry expert who understands the challenges, customers, and opportunities within a particular sector.
• A business leader or manager with experience leading teams, projects, operations, or strategic initiatives.
• A business development or commercial professional skilled at identifying market opportunities, understanding customers, and driving growth.
• A product, technology, or innovation leader who has developed solutions, launched products, or led transformation initiatives.
• An experienced professional ready for a career change who wants to turn years of expertise into an entrepreneurial venture.

You don't need to fit every profile. What matters is your ability to take initiative, solve problems, execute, collaborate with complementary talent and commit to building a startup.

** A scientific background, or a genuine curiosity for emerging technologies (AI, cleantech, health tech, advanced materials, etc.), is an asset.

Never worked at a startup? That's not a barrier. Your industry expertise and business experience could be exactly what a founding team needs.

About the opportunity

La CoFonderie gives experienced professionals the opportunity to turn their industry expertise into an entrepreneurial venture by joining forces with complementary scientific, technological, and business talent.

As a participant, you will:

• Meet researchers and technical talent from Quebec universities whose innovations need someone who understands markets and customers.
• Meet potential cofounders whose skills and expertise complement your own;
• Leverage your knowledge of customers, markets, and industry challenges to develop relevant solutions;
• Build a founding team around a shared vision and complementary capabilities;
• Explore and validate business opportunities, test solutions, and develop a business model;
• Benefit from mentorship and guidance from entrepreneurs and ecosystem experts;
• Pitch your startup to investors at the end of the program.

Program details

• Commitment: 12 weeks, starting the week of March 1, 2027, at about 25 hours a week.
• Format and location: Includes in-person activities at Ax-C in Montréal, a collaborative workspace in the heart of Quebec’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Language: Program activities are primarily in English, though the coaches and program team can support in French as needed

What V1 Studio offers

• Potential cofounders, a structured entrepreneurial journey, hands-on support and access to the startup ecosystem
• Financial support: Up to CAD $2,500 per month for three months, subject to program conditions
• No equity taken by V1 Studio

How to apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and spots are limited to 28. Apply before the end of November to be considered for the first round of interviews in December. Applications close January 13, 2027.

Questions? Contact us at cofonderie@v1.studio.

Learn more and apply here : https://www.cofonderie.ca/en/home

V1 Studio believes the strongest founding teams bring together different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and newcomers to Canada.

La CoFonderie is an entrepreneurship program, not a salaried employment opportunity with V1 Studio. Participation does not guarantee company formation, investment, or a cofounder match.