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The Discovery Foundation

BitSavers Program

About the Program

Is your startup in-market, but facing stalled revenues and growth?

The Discovery Foundation BitSavers Program is a customized business strategy program that supports founders in identifying the root causes of their growth issues. Successful applicants will get new insights into their business, receive direct and relevant advice, and actionable reports that will help provide a path towards exponential growth.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Limited spots remaining.

Program Structure

Over 4-6 weeks, your senior leadership team will engage in lively discussions with the program advisors, who will work with you to develop an assessment of growth challenges to date. Based on information gathered, clients receive two reports:

  1. Initial Assessment Report: Identifies potential market opportunities that have been missed, and targets a new path towards success.
  2. Capital Recapture Plan: A plan to position the company for new growth or acquisition. The Plan focuses on how to build market, increase profitability, improve internal systems/processes and set you up for increased revenues or new partnerships.

The program closes with a 30-minute session with both program advisors to provide additional direction, and answer any final questions. In total, participants will receive over $2500 in value of analysis from the advisory team.

Eligibility & Program Fees

Applications will be reviewed against the following criteria:

  • BC-based tech or tech-enabled companies
  • In-market with traction, ideally earning $400K to $1M ARR
  • Have raised some dilutive investment
  • Growth rates are not at the pace that was originally planned and founders are open to a fresh look at the operation and some new opportunities for growth.
  • Commitment from at least two senior level team members to attend two to three review sessions during the program, and complete 3-5 hours of preparation and consultation. Recommended: founder(s), C-Suite or senior leadership level
  • $200 program fee per company ($2500 value) – a subsidized rate thanks to the Discovery Foundation

Note: priority registration will be given to companies in the HealthTech, Green Tech, and CleanTech sectors.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Selected applications will be invited to a short, 15 minute intake call. Limited spots available.

Program Advisors

As a team, Richard and Floyd gain great personal satisfaction from digging deep and coming up with solutions that not only make economic sense, but also further the personal goals of the individuals engaged in the process.

Richard Mardon

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Floyd Sijmons

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Richard Mardon

Richard Mardon is an experienced entrepreneur, software developer, and expert project manager with a diverse background in building and scaling businesses across a wide range of industries. His expertise spans software development, product innovation, and leadership, with a strong track record in guiding companies from inception to growth.

Throughout his career, Richard has been lucky enough to work with great entrepreneurial talent, developing and contributing to startups in fields such as 3D animation, AR/VR development, mobile applications, health data sciences, aviation, and corporate media, among others.

Previous exits include ICON computer Graphics – Vancouver’s first 3D Animation Company | Intelliscape Interactive – Games developer for Disney, Sega, Nintendo, Fox Interactive | Channel Productions – Corporate Film and Television Production. His current focus is the launch of two BC-based startups in the event discovery and project management verticals.

Richard holds a BA in Communications Studies from Simon Fraser University and remains actively involved in developing startups and mentoring and advising entrepreneurs across different sectors.

Floyd Sijmons

Floyd Sijmons is a seasoned CEO, Founder, and Business Mentor with a successful history of building and scaling tech startups. Beginning with Groupon’s explosive growth and subsequent IPO, Floyd’s career journey includes leadership roles in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he ran a financial comparison platform, and in the Netherlands, where he spearheaded the development of the multi-sided marketplace, Helpling.

With expertise in all facets of founding, building, and scaling digital businesses, Floyd has navigated diverse sectors, undertaking interim management roles and engaging extensively in fundraising activities. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Floyd has emerged as a prominent mentor, contributing to the growth and success of over 65 startups across various accelerators and educational institutions. Floyd also serves as the Mentor/Jury “Wrangler” for the New Ventures BC Competition.

Floyd holds a Master of Science in Strategic Management from RSM Erasmus University, Rotterdam.

In partnership with the Discovery Foundation:
A registered charity, the Discovery Foundation has been a committed champion and enabler of the science and technology sector in BC since its formation in 1979. Its principal activity is the delivery of the Technology Education Program via agents that provide education and guidance to entrepreneurs in BC.

New Ventures BC acknowledges that we gather and work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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