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## Our approach

## We don't just accelerate ventures. We build better founders.

Most accelerators bet on the idea. LOI bets on the person. We treat founders like elite athletes — developing the mindset, skills, and resilience needed to stay in the game through every pivot, setback, and breakthrough.

The idea you start with is rarely the one you succeed with. But a resilient, supported founder? They always find their way. That’s the bet we’ve been making since 2016.

## Our History

LOI was founded on the belief that entrepreneurship shouldn't be left to chance. What started as a question inside Hootsuite's offices grew into Canada's largest free accelerator for young founders.

“Together, let’s shape the next generation of entrepreneurial giants.

Ryan Holmes

CEO, Hootsuite · Founder, League of Innovators

## From a 10-person pilot to a national movement.

### 2016
#### The Next Big Thing
Ryan Holmes launches a 10-person pilot inside Hootsuite’s Vancouver offices. The question is simple: what if young founders didn’t have to figure all of this out alone?

Vancouver, BC

### 2018
#### Becoming LOI
The initiative outgrows Hootsuite’s walls and rebrands as League of Innovators — a national charity built to make world-class founder support free, accessible, and available to any young Canadian willing to do the work.

National Launch

### 2020 - 2024
#### Scaling Nationally
LOI goes fully virtual — what started as a local initiative reaches founders in every province. The community grows to 2,000+ entrepreneurs and $1.8B+ in alumni enterprise value created.

2,000+ Founders

### 2025 - Present
#### LOI 4.0
A long-term founder development platform with deeper programming, stronger networks, and a bigger stage for the next generation of Canadian builders.

## What’s Next

### Testimonials
#### Jared Leary
LampPost Social
We wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are today, as a business or as founders, without LOI. Hands down the best (free) investment we ever made in ourselves & our growth.

#### Anastasia Kiku
reusables
I noticed LOI’s community-first vibe right away. Not only did I do the accelerator but the team invested in Jason and I which has made all the difference

#### Vanessa De Waal
Flöka
LOI taught me something huge: a founder’s biggest strength isn’t the idea, it’s knowing when to ask for help.

#### Lily Harper
World of LLA
I discovered that sharing your story and being open and vulnerable isn’t a weakness, it’s a superpower. And I learned about Tara Bosch and many other inspiring alumni.

#### Jen Orr
Popoff
I found that LOI’s peer network was my most powerful accelerant, hearing “we’ve been there too”—from people just like me, changed everything.

#### Daniel Dubois
2x Exited Founder | Investor | GP @ $100M Fund
I walked in ambitious and walked out laser-focused. LOI’s frameworks helped me break lofty goals into step-by-step action plans.

#### Adam Chu
Arnii Fitness
I reframed failure from 'I messed up' to 'I just gathered actionable data', and that mindset shift came from LOI’s relentless focus on learning, not perfecting.

#### Jason Yee
admission prep
I learned that speed and iteration outpace perfection. LOI’s rapid-fire feedback loops pushed me to move fast, pivot faster, and love every step forward. And I love the coworking space they launched in Vancouver. Come by and say hi.

## Let's build what's next - together.

**Whether you're a founder, mentor, or partner, there's a place for you at LOI.** Join our community, apply for a program, or collaborate with us to grow the future of entrepreneurship in Canada.