TORONTO (May 23, 2025) – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) and Victory Ventures are proud to announce the renewal of their community partnership. The partnership supports Victory Ventures’ 12-week accelerator program, helping to turn athletes into owners.
The collaboration between CSIO and Victory Ventures leverages the expertise of both organizations to foster and support a successful athlete cohort, as well as leverage the promotion of the program to the high performance athlete community.
The 12-week accelerator program gives athletes the launchpad, tools, dedicated coaching, and the community needed to turn their ambitions into an impactful venture. The program features the expertise of faculty members from Movement 51 and Sklar Wilton & Associates, as well as guest speakers from across various industries. The accelerator program culminates in a Pitch Competition where athletes can win a $10,000 prize toward funding their venture.
The community partnership renewal follows the extremely successful inaugural cohort of Victory Ventures’ accelerator program, which supported 5 athlete-founders in growing their ideas and businesses into sustainable initiatives.
Registration is open until June 1st, 2025 for the second cohort of the accelerator program, which will kick-off in the Fall of 2025.
To learn more about Victory Ventures and the Accelerator Program, as well as the application process, please visit: https://www.victoryventures.io/
QUOTES
“CSIO is excited to continue working with Victory Ventures as they launch the second cohort of their Accelerator Program. We have seen firsthand the invaluable impact and positive outcomes of the program’s modules, leading to the development, growth, and success of the first cohort’s ventures. We know the importance a program such as this plays in supporting athlete-led business ventures and helping to build athletes and their ideas into champions on and off the field of play,” explained Laura Albright, Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing
“We’re thrilled to continue partnering with CSIO. Their dedication to the high-performance sport community and commitment to athlete development makes them an ideal partner for Victory Ventures – together, we aim to help athletes envision new possibilities beyond sport. By equipping athletes with the tools, mentorship, and ecosystem they need, the Victory Ventures Accelerator sets up athletes for a winning shot at building impactful ventures in Canada. The success of the first cohort of Victory Ventures is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what this next group of athlete-founders will achieve,” shared Delphine Gilbert, Founder & President, Victory Ventures
About Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to elevating people and performances in the pursuit of building champions. CSIO strives to provide best-in-class sport science, sport medicine, and pathway support to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations. CSIO is part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada. CSIO is further supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Sport and Sport Canada. www.csiontario.ca
About Victory Ventures
Victory Ventures is a social enterprise committed to making a difference for athletes who want to take their career beyond athletics. We believe in the power of elite athletes, not just on the field of competition, but as catalysts for positive change. We are on a mission to empower athlete-founders create meaningful ventures that contribute to societal and environmental well-being on topics such as promoting health, gender equality, and climate action. To us, true victory lies in balancing business success with a positive impact on the society we live in and the planet we inhabit. If you dream of a world where sports serve as a catalyst for impact & innovation and want to champion positive change, join us. Victoryventures.io/apply
– 30 –
Media Contact:
Laura Albright, Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Tel: 647.395.7536
Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca
Delphine Gilbert, Founder & President
Victory Ventures
info@victoryventures.io