The annual RBC EPIC Founders program helps first-time entrepreneurs build their business from the ground up in a 12-week program.

One of their entrepreneurs is Jesse Thompson, the founder of HaggleFree. Thompson’s first software product will be showcased Aug. 1 alongside the other eight entrepreneurial ventures.

“I first heard about the RBC EPIC Founders Program from the Small Business Centre across the street,” says Thomson. “I was at a workshop there and they mentioned that there were some mentorship opportunities and a bit of funding available for people like me who are just starting new companies.”

Thompson hopes the program will help build his business and provide validation for what he is working on.

“By the end of the program, I hope to really have some expertise in idea validation and being able to validate the business model and being able to pivot or justify moving forward with certain business models.” Thompson says.

This is the sixth in a series of articles introducing this summer’s participants leading up to a showcase of their prototypes Aug. 1 at the EPICentre. Learn more on the centre’s website.

—Dana Roe