In the world of startups, the odds are stacked against you. Most startups don’t even make it to their 5th birthday before they fail.

Less than one out of 10 early-stage companies go on to scale significantly. Fewer than 5% ever raise a Series B or beyond. 

It’s a different story for companies that have participated in  C100’s startup development programs. A story not only of surviving, but thriving.

Our Results: 5–10x Better Than Industry Norms

Since launching our Fellows and Growth programs, over 500 C100-supported companies have dramatically outperformed industry success benchmarks:

• Nearly 90% of Fellows alumni are thriving or have successfully exited, compared to ~10% industry survival.
• 99% of Growth alumni are still operating or have exited successfully — almost 10x the industry average for scale-stage companies.
• Over 40% of Growth companies have raised Series B, C, D, and beyond, a level fewer than 5% of startups typically reach.
• Fellows companies are 5x more likely to raise venture capital and 3x more likely to be acquired than the average startup in Canada.
• Fellows and Growth alumni have raised over $13.2B in venture funding and created over 23,000 jobs.

These aren’t just numbers. They’re proof that with the right support at the right time, Canadian tech companies can compete—and win—globally.

What Sets C100 Programming Apart

Success at scale isn't an accident, and at C100, it's never left to chance. Our Fellows and Growth programs are built on an unmatched combination of high-touch expertise, world-class mentorship, and peer connections that founders and leadership teams can’t find anywhere else.

Here’s what makes the difference:

World-Class In-Person Workshops

Every session is designed to tackle the real-world challenges of scaling a company, whether it’s navigating a Series fundraise, evolving your go-to-market strategy, or scaling your executive team. Founders and leaders walk away with frameworks, strategies, and actionable insights they can apply immediately.

Expert “Been There Done That” Mentorship

At the heart of C100’s success is our exceptional network of mentors: seasoned builders and operators who have scaled companies to $10M+, $100M+, $1B+ and beyond.

Our mentors bring deep experience from the world’s most influential companies, including Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Shopify, and more. They aren’t consultants or theorists—they are the people who have been in the trenches, built category leaders, and know what it takes to win on the global stage.

This level of mentorship is rare, and it’s what changes the trajectory for C100-supported companies.

Exclusive Peer Networks

In addition to mentorship, Fellows and Growth participants connect through curated, role-specific forums. These groups serve as trusted advisory boards, providing founders, CEOs, and executives with invaluable real-time support, experience-sharing, and candid guidance from peers on the same path.

Strategic Access to the C100 Network

Participants also tap into a curated global network of top-tier investors, senior executives, and strategic partners. Whether securing a key customer, finding the right late-stage funding partner, or recruiting executive talent, C100 opens doors that accelerate momentum and open up new possibilities for scale. 

The Companies Proving It’s Possible

C100’s impact isn’t theoretical. It’s visible in the real companies reshaping industries and scaling beyond Canada's borders:

• Ada (Fellows 2017) has become a global leader in AI-powered customer experience, achieving unicorn status with a $1.2 billion valuation. (as of 2021)
• ApplyBoard (Fellows 2017) has grown into one of Canada's largest edtech success stories, helping thousands of international students access education opportunities globally.
• Jane App (Fellows 2020 and ScaleUp 2018) has scaled sustainably to surpass $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), building a profitable, resilient business with minimal outside funding. 
• StackAdapt (ScaleUp 2016) is a global leader in programmatic advertising, having grown from a startup to a global powerhouse with a $2 billion+ valuation (as of 2025).
• Wealthsimple (Fellows 2015) disrupted the financial services sector and has become one of North America's most recognized fintech brands, reaching a peak valuation of $5 billion (as of 2024).

These companies—and dozens more—represent a new generation of Canadian-led, globally competitive businesses. They show that with bold ambition, strategic support, and the right network, Canadian tech leaders can not only survive—they can define the future.

Why It Matters Now

The Canadian tech ecosystem has no shortage of talent or great ideas. What it needs is more success at scale—more companies that don’t just start strong but build enduring, global businesses.

That's what C100 was built to do.

Through the Fellows and Growth programs, C100 is helping Canada’s top entrepreneurs and leadership teams overcome scaling bottlenecks, access critical capital and talent, and build globally dominant companies.

The numbers tell the story. The companies prove the impact. And this is just the beginning.

Applications for C100’s 2025 Fellows and Growth programs are now open. If you're ready to change your odds—and your company’s trajectory—apply here.