Cooperathon Info Session and Mixer (In Person)
Driving positive impact through bold entrepreneurship, powered by Desjardins
Join us at DMZ on April 3 for the Cooperathon Info Session and Mixer Event – where entrepreneurs, students and changemakers come together to create solutions that matter.
This event kicks off your journey into the Cooperathon Innovation Challenge – a nationwide program from Desjardins that gives innovators the tools, mentorship and resources they need to solve real-world problems.
Connect with other passionate innovators, build your team, and develop ventures for this year's challenge themes. The best part? The program is open to all and completely free. All participants will get access to expert coaching, training workshops and networking opportunities. Selected teams will even get the chance to pitch for a national competition and earn monetary prizes.
The Opportunity
Connect with fellow innovators, potential co-founders, team members and industry experts
Form a team and develop solutions aligned with pressing societal challenges
Access to exclusive training workshops led by experts in AI, business strategy and pitching
Selected teams compete in a final pitch competition in July for potential funding and prizes
Potential acceptance into DMZ’s Basecamp Program to continue scaling your startup
Cooperathon 2025 Themes
Teams formed at this event will explore solutions for one or more of Cooperathon’s 2025 challenge areas:
Thriving Cities: Innovating for Sustainable Urban Living
How can science, data, AI and related technologies help Canadian municipalities tackle urban challenges like resource management, equitable service access, and climate resilience?
Healthy Futures: Data-Driven Innovations in Healthcare
How can AI and emerging technologies improve healthcare access, efficiency and outcomes—especially in areas like mental health and preventative care?
Smart Food Systems: AI for a Sustainable Agri-Food Sector
How can AI and data analytics transform Canada’s food supply chain, reducing waste, strengthening local sourcing and ensuring access to nutritious food?
Manufacturing the Future: Industry 4.0 in Canada
How can AI, IoT, and automation drive productivity, sustainability and workforce development in Canada’s industrial and manufacturing sectors?
Tech/AI Solutions
How can emerging technologies address local and global challenges while ensuring accessibility, transparency and positive societal impact?
Impact-Driven Solutions
How can startups embed social and environmental impact at the core of their business models while remaining financially viable?
Low-Tech Innovations
How can we design sustainable, accessible solutions using Low-Tech principles to address social and environmental challenges?
What Comes Next?
This event is your gateway to the Cooperathon Innovation Challenge. Whether you are looking to join a team or add members to your created team, this event is a great opportunity for you to meet potential teammates.
What to Expect If You Register for Cooperathon?
🎓 Expert Training Workshops (May – June):
AI & Tech Workshop – Explore cutting-edge AI tools and emerging tech.
Prototyping & MVP Workshop – Transform concepts into testable market solutions
Go-to-Market Strategies Workshop – Acquire a roadmap for sustainable market growth
Financial Planning for Startups Workshop – Structure your startup for investment success
Storytelling & Pitch Practice Workshop – Develop an irresistible investor narrative
Pitching for Challenge Winners Workshop – Prepare for high-stakes pitching
🎤 Final Pitch Competition (July): Selected teams will compete for recognition, funding, and startup support.
🚀 Potential Entry into DMZ’s Basecamp: Top teams may be considered for DMZ’s renowned summer program, offering mentorship, resources and investor connections.