CASE STUDY 10: The Rhyze Project

The Rhyze Project was born of Innovation Guelph’s Women’s Economic Advancement Project. Rhyze continues to be an entrepreneurship program supporting business women in Guelph and Wellington County.

The Rhyze Project cultivates women’s entrepreneurial spirit in Guelph and Wellington County. It is led by Innovation Guelph and draws on strong partnerships from several local organizations that support women and women’s issues.

Doran worked with Kristel Manes to develop the original program concept and conduct several community consultations that informed Rhyze’s program model.

The Rhyze Project received funding through the Federal Governments, Ministry for the Status of Women; and from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The program was designed to provide business education and mentorship to cohorts of women leading businesses or starting new businesses.

The Rhyze Award was the first seeding funding program that invested in high potential women entrepreneurs.

The Rhyze Program has been running for four years and has supported hundreds of women-led businesses.