La Piscine is a non-profit entrepreneurial support organization and incubator based in Montréal, Québec, Canada focused on accelerating creative, cultural, and digital businesses through tailored coaching, ecosystem development, and growth programs — not a traditional venture capital firm that makes cash investments for equity ownership. 

Specific Funding Stage
Pre-Seed / Seed Support: Provides business development support, coaching, and market strategy guidance for early-stage creative and cultural companies.
Growth / Scaling Support: Offers programs aimed at structuring growth, financing pathways, governance, and scaling business models rather than direct investment. 

Investment Amount and Percentage Equity (Company-Level)
• Direct Equity Taken: La Piscine does not invest capital in startups in exchange for equity as part of its core support programs. It operates as a community incubator and service provider, focusing on mentoring and ecosystem access rather than purchasing ownership stakes.
• Equity Structure: There is no standard “$X for Y%” equity policy tied to participation. If a company associated with La Piscine later raises venture capital from external investors, that equity is negotiated directly with those investors, independent of La Piscine’s programs. (Typical for nonprofit incubators.) 

Application / Submission Method
Submission Method: Entrepreneurs apply via La Piscine’s online application forms for specific programs (e.g., Deep Dive, SURF, Creative Cabinet) depending on their development stage and goals. 
Selection: After application, teams are reviewed and may be invited for meetings to determine fit with program offerings. 

Sector Focus: Creative and cultural industries — including digital arts, media, cultural production, digital innovation, and creative enterprises.
Geography: Primarily Quebec-based companies (Montréal, Québec), though programs may support projects with broader reach. 
Stage: Early to early-growth stage companies working on market validation, structure, or scaling.
Team: Founders committed to developing business fundamentals and growth strategy.

Initial Intake & Screening: Entrepreneurs pitch their business and goals to La Piscine. 
 Program Matching: La Piscine matches companies with appropriate support tracks (e.g., growth focus, internationalization). 
 Coaching & Support: Selected ventures receive structured coaching, workshops, and network connections.

Strategic Support: Personalized business coaching and structured mentoring to improve governance, market strategy, financing approaches, and revenue models.
Network & Ecosystem: Connection to a network of industry experts, creative professionals, and potential partners.
Workspace & Events: Access to incubator spaces and community programming to strengthen ecosystem engagement.
Program Variety: Multiple support pathways like Deep Dive (growth acceleration) or SURF (structuring & business model refinement).