TORONTO (April 23, 2024) – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO), is proud to announce a new community partnership with Victory Ventures which is piloting a 12-week accelerator program helping to turn athletes into owners.

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 faculty members from Movement 51 and Sklar Wilton & Associates, and guest speakers and panelists including Diana Matheson, Nathalie Cook, and Debbie Muir.

Through this partnership CSIO affiliated athletes will have access to apply to be part of the first cohort of the program, beginning in October 2024. There are also opportunities for athletes to apply for funding assistance to be part of the program. The application deadline is May 20, 2024.

“We are excited to work with Victory Ventures as they launch the first cohort of their Accelerator Program. They have a wonderful program curriculum with expert facilitators and coaches to support the athletes as they turn their ideas into business ventures. Athletes have so many transferable skills from their athletic careers to the business world, and the program Victory Ventures is offering will help them to maximize their skill set while turning their entrepreneurial dream into a business,” shared Laura Albright, Sr. Advisor, Communications & Marketing for the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario.

“We are thrilled and grateful to be partnering with CSIO to bring to life the inaugural cohort of the Victory Ventures Accelerator. At Victory Ventures, we believe in harnessing the unique skills and mindset of athletes – their firsthand expertise, resilience, commitment to excellence, and capacity to inspire change – to drive entrepreneurial success and create impactful ventures for good. Our 12-week accelerator program is tailored to empower athletes to turn their ideas into responsible ventures, providing a supportive community where they can explore, learn from industry leaders, and transform their dreams into a lasting legacy,” shared Delphine Gilbert, Founder & President of Victory Ventures.

To learn more about Victory Ventures and the Accelerator Program and application process, please visit: https://www.victoryventures.io/

About Canadian Sport Institute Ontario

Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing best-in-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations to enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances. Our team of expert staff deliver sport science, sport medicine, life services, and coaching and technical leadership support to help Canada win medals and strengthen the sport system in Ontario and Canada. 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 funding partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and 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 to 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, reach out to us: info@victoryventures.io/

– 30 –

Media Contact:

Laura Albright, Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Tel: 647.395.7536
Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca
www.csiontario.ca