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BMO and 1871 Call for Applications for Sixth Annual WMNfintech Program

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Applications are open until April 10, 2025

CHICAGO, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – BMO and 1871 today announced a call for applications for WMNfintech, an annual, award-winning program that empowers startup founders as they create and scale innovative services and solutions that support the financial sector. In its sixth year, WMNfintech has become North America’s largest alumni network of women-founded and women-led startups as well as those who support women in fintech, providing entrepreneurs access to a robust support network to help them to grow their businesses and bring new technologies and products to market.

“BMO is committed to driving innovation to help our customers, clients, and the communities we serve make real financial progress,” said Andrew Harrison, Head of Emerging Partnerships and the Digital Innovation Fund at BMO. “We are excited to welcome our 2025 cohort into WMNfintech’s incredibly powerful business ecosystem and to helping them accelerate time to market for new technologies and products. Supporting the success of businesses, small, medium or large is central to BMO’s purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.”

The five startups selected to participate will gain access to tailored resources and programming, including:

One-on-one guidance and insights from top BMO industry expertsSpecialized curriculum focused on enterprise sales cycles, vendor management, information security, and risk and regulatory requirementsSix-month membership to 1871, including its resources and a roadmap for supportOpportunities to attend industry events with various stakeholders, banking partners, regulators and trade groupsPitching feedback, mentorship, and strategic connectionsExclusive alumni networking opportunities

This year’s program runs from May to August, including four immersive weeks of curriculum where founders gather in-person and/or virtually. The 2025 WMNfintech cohort will also have the opportunity to attend exclusive events across the U.S., including locations in New York City, Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas and San Francisco. 

The WMNfintech Impact
Since launching in 2020, participating fintech startups from across the globe have created over 200 jobs and raised over $45 million in capital.

“Empowering fintech startups isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart investment in the future of financial innovation. WMNfintech has built an incredible community of founders who are redefining what’s possible in this industry,” said Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871. “At 1871, we’re committed to providing them with the resources, mentorship, and connections they need to scale. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with BMO to foster bold ideas and support the next generation of fintech leaders.”

To apply for the WMNfintech program by April 10, 2025, and learn more about the program, visit https://1871.com/membership/wmnfintech/.

About BMO:
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2025. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. 

About 1871:
1871, a nonprofit global innovation hub, exists to inspire, equip, and support early-stage, growth-stage, late-stage, and corporate innovators in building extraordinary businesses. 1871 is home to ~500 early-stage startups, ~250 growth and late-stage companies, and ~60 corporates, and is supported by an entire community focused on accelerating their growth and creating jobs in the Chicagoland area. The member experience includes virtual and in-person access to workshops, events, mentorship, and more. The nonprofit organization has 350 mentors available to its members, alongside access to more than 200 partner corporations, universities, education programs, accelerators, venture funds, and others. Since its inception in 2012, more than 1,050+ alum companies are still active, have created over 14,700 jobs, and have raised more than $3.7 billion in follow-on capital.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmo-and-1871-call-for-applications-for-sixth-annual-wmnfintech-program-302401226.html

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PS Hogan highlights investments from Spring Economic Update 2026: Canada Strong for All to support Canada’s sport system

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CALGARY, AB, May 2, 2026 /CNW/ – In Budget 2025, we outlined our plan to build Canada Strong. Since then, we have moved fast to build the major infrastructure, homes and industries that grow Canada’s economy and create lasting prosperity; empower Canadians with better careers and a more affordable life; and protect our communities, our borders and our way of life.

We delivered concrete savings for Canadians while supporting key national priorities and keeping investments focused on results. We are maintaining a strong fiscal position, with the Spring Economic Update 2026 showing that projected deficits are lower over the fiscal horizon and that we are on track to meet our fiscal anchors.

The Spring Economic Update 2026 is the next step in our plan to build Canada Strong for All. It provides a clear update on the strength of Canada’s economy, giving Canadians confidence in our plan. It delivers targeted relief to make life more affordable, support workers and accelerate the construction of homes and major infrastructure. It also strengthens Canada’s competitiveness and economic growth while investing in strong, safe communities across the country.

Today, Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation, met with athletes at Foothills Athletic Park to highlight key investments in sport from the Spring Economic Update to build stronger and safer communities.

The Government of Canada is investing $755 million to support and expand Canada’s sport system, which will help athletes safely train and perform at the highest levels. This will increase sport participation across the country by strengthening national sport organizations, infrastructure and local sport communities.

Canada’s new government is transforming our economy from reliance to resilience. The Spring Economic Update 2026 ensures all Canadians can participate in building Canada strong and share in its success. Other key measures include:

The Canada Strong Fund — Canada’s first national sovereign wealth fund. This will invest in key, strategic Canadian projects and companies. While Canadians will benefit from these nation building projects through jobs, economic growth and greater security, the government is determined to ensure that Canadians also have a stake in the projects themselves. That’s why a unique and important feature of the Canada Strong Fund will be its new retail investment product. This allows Canadians to receive financial returns as we build Canada strong together.Team Canada Strong — a new nationwide effort to recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new skilled trade workers by 2030–31. This initiative creates new opportunities for Canadians and attracts the workers needed to build more homes and major projects at speed and at scale.Building Stronger Communities — by making communities safer, more connected and more resilient. We are building more homes, getting tougher on crime and fraud and funding essential infrastructure, including small craft harbours that sustain coastal communities and local jobs. We are also investing to build healthier, safer and stronger Indigenous communities.

Our new government is building a Canada that is not just strong, but good; not just prosperous, but fair. A Canada that is not just for some, most of the time, but for all, at all times. We’re building Canada strong, for all.

Quote

“The Spring Economic Update 2026 builds on the momentum of our budget, combining strategic investments with sustained fiscal discipline to keep building Canada Strong for All — delivering prosperity today and strengthening our economy for tomorrow. At this pivotal moment in Canada’s history, we’re charting a course through the fog of uncertainty and global headwinds with strength, determination and ambition — and building one strong Canadian economy, by Canadians, for Canadians.”
— The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue 

“The Government of Canada is building Canada Strong by investing in what brings us together — our people, our communities and our athletes. By strengthening the foundation of Calgary and  Canada’s sport system, we are building a resilient economy and strong communities for all.”
— Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation

Quick Facts

The Spring Economic Update 2026 proposes to provide $755 million over five years, starting in 2026–27, and $118 million ongoing to Canadian Heritage to support Canada’s sport system to: Host and compete with the best: $50 million over five years to bring more world-class sporting events to Canada. Funding will be tied to legacy-building projects that deliver lasting benefits well beyond the events themselves. Facilities built or upgraded for major events will continue to serve communities, support grassroots participation and strengthen local sport systems for years to come. Support our athletes in performing at the highest levels: $45 million over five years and $8 million ongoing to help our athletes train, compete and perform, including support for better mental health and funding that will be linked to robust safe sport measures and frameworks. These actions will strengthen the sport system and respond to some of the findings of the Final Report of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission while the government continues to consider all of its Calls to Action. Get more Canadians involved in sport: $660 million over five years and $110 million ongoing for National Sport Organisations, increasing funding that has remained largely unchanged since 2005, so that they can invest in a strong and safe sport system and grow participation among children and youth nationwide.

Related products

Spring Economic Update 2026: Canada Strong for AllSpring Economic Update 2026: Key MeasuresSpring Economic Update 2026: Address by the Minister of Finance and National Revenue  

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POVADDO AND PROLEGIS ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND ACCESS TO PUBLIC POLICY PROFESSIONALS FOR OPINION RESEARCH

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Partnership connects policy professionals using Prolegis’ modernized Congressional platform with Povaddo’s exclusive paid research panel, combining forces to serve the policymaking community

ST. LOUIS and WASHINGTON, May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Povaddo, a leading provider of public opinion and policy elite research, has announced a strategic partnership with Prolegis, a nonpartisan technology platform serving thousands of policy professionals in Congress and the advocacy community. The partnership will expand the reach of the Povaddo Panel—an exclusive network of nearly 5,000 public policy professionals worldwide—while providing Prolegis users new opportunities to contribute their expertise to policy research.

Prolegis provides nonpartisan technology solutions designed to modernize Congress. Built specifically for the policymaking community, the platform serves as a natural intersection where policy professionals and issue advocacy campaigns meet, making it an ideal environment for connecting researchers with the experts shaping public policy.

Beginning this month, users of the Prolegis platform will be invited to join the Povaddo Panel and become eligible to participate in research studies tailored specifically for public policy professionals.

“There is no shortage of so-called ‘expert network’ firms, but Povaddo is setting the standard when it comes to building the most rigorous and credible network of public policy professionals in the U.S. and beyond,” said William Stewart, President of Povaddo. “What makes Prolegis the right partner is the quality and relevance of their community—these are precisely the professionals our clients most want to hear from. Prolegis users are actively engaged in policy work daily, making them ideal participants for our research studies. This partnership will meaningfully accelerate our efforts.”

“Prolegis exists to serve the policy community with tools that make their work more effective,” said Jim Gianiny, CEO of Prolegis. “Partnering with Povaddo allows our users to contribute their expertise in a new way and take part in rigorous research that helps organizations better understand the policy landscape. It’s a natural extension of what our platform already does: connecting policy professionals with the resources and opportunities that matter to their work.”

Launched in 2018, the Povaddo Panel was built to meet growing demand for research insights from individuals who shape, influence, and analyze public policy as part of their daily work. Over the past eight years, the panel has grown to nearly 5,000 public policy professionals worldwide, including over 2,000 in the United States. Many panelists are former elected officials, including former Members of Congress.

This partnership is part of a broader period of momentum for Povaddo. The company recently announced it is launching a quarterly omnibus survey among public policy professionals in the United States and Europe.

“Companies and other organizations that want to understand what public policy professionals think—whether about their brand or an issue they are facing—now have a new way of doing that. Our new omnibus survey among public policy professionals fills an important need in the research services marketplace,” said Brooke Hayes, Executive Vice President of Povaddo, who oversees the Povaddo Panel and the firm’s new omnibus research service among public policy professionals.

Additionally, Povaddo recently released select findings from its survey of public policy professionals in the U.S. and Europe regarding their attitudes towards AI. In an era when political consensus is elusive, this study finds widespread agreement within policy communities on both sides of the Atlantic that government regulation of AI should be increased.

About Povaddo: Povaddo specializes in public opinion and policy elite research. Founded in 2009, Povaddo is recognized as a trusted advisor to top-tier organizations seeking to navigate complex issues management, strategic communications, corporate reputation, and business transformation challenges. Most of the firm’s clients sit within external affairs, corporate affairs, public affairs, government affairs, regulatory affairs, scientific affairs, corporate communications, business planning and strategy. For more information, please visit www.povaddo.com.

About Prolegis: Prolegis provides nonpartisan technology solutions designed to modernize Congress. Built specifically for the policymaking community, Prolegis delivers innovative solutions, efficient tools, and engaging content, all on one easy-to-use platform. The platform serves Congressional staff, think tank scholars, and public affairs professionals, creating a unique intersection where policy expertise and advocacy meet. For more information, please visit www.prolegis.com.

Media Inquiries: William Stewart, +1 (855) 768-2336, stewart@povaddo.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/povaddo-and-prolegis-announce-strategic-partnership-to-expand-access-to-public-policy-professionals-for-opinion-research-302760432.html

SOURCE POVADDO LLC

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POVADDO AND PROLEGIS ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND ACCESS TO PUBLIC POLICY PROFESSIONALS FOR OPINION RESEARCH

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Partnership connects policy professionals using Prolegis’ modernized Congressional platform with Povaddo’s exclusive paid research panel, combining forces to serve the policymaking community

ST. LOUIS and WASHINGTON, May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Povaddo, a leading provider of public opinion and policy elite research, has announced a strategic partnership with Prolegis, a nonpartisan technology platform serving thousands of policy professionals in Congress and the advocacy community. The partnership will expand the reach of the Povaddo Panel—an exclusive network of nearly 5,000 public policy professionals worldwide—while providing Prolegis users new opportunities to contribute their expertise to policy research.

Prolegis provides nonpartisan technology solutions designed to modernize Congress. Built specifically for the policymaking community, the platform serves as a natural intersection where policy professionals and issue advocacy campaigns meet, making it an ideal environment for connecting researchers with the experts shaping public policy.

Beginning this month, users of the Prolegis platform will be invited to join the Povaddo Panel and become eligible to participate in research studies tailored specifically for public policy professionals.

“There is no shortage of so-called ‘expert network’ firms, but Povaddo is setting the standard when it comes to building the most rigorous and credible network of public policy professionals in the U.S. and beyond,” said William Stewart, President of Povaddo. “What makes Prolegis the right partner is the quality and relevance of their community—these are precisely the professionals our clients most want to hear from. Prolegis users are actively engaged in policy work daily, making them ideal participants for our research studies. This partnership will meaningfully accelerate our efforts.”

“Prolegis exists to serve the policy community with tools that make their work more effective,” said Jim Gianiny, CEO of Prolegis. “Partnering with Povaddo allows our users to contribute their expertise in a new way and take part in rigorous research that helps organizations better understand the policy landscape. It’s a natural extension of what our platform already does: connecting policy professionals with the resources and opportunities that matter to their work.”

Launched in 2018, the Povaddo Panel was built to meet growing demand for research insights from individuals who shape, influence, and analyze public policy as part of their daily work. Over the past eight years, the panel has grown to nearly 5,000 public policy professionals worldwide, including over 2,000 in the United States. Many panelists are former elected officials, including former Members of Congress.

This partnership is part of a broader period of momentum for Povaddo. The company recently announced it is launching a quarterly omnibus survey among public policy professionals in the United States and Europe.

“Companies and other organizations that want to understand what public policy professionals think—whether about their brand or an issue they are facing—now have a new way of doing that. Our new omnibus survey among public policy professionals fills an important need in the research services marketplace,” said Brooke Hayes, Executive Vice President of Povaddo, who oversees the Povaddo Panel and the firm’s new omnibus research service among public policy professionals.

Additionally, Povaddo recently released select findings from its survey of public policy professionals in the U.S. and Europe regarding their attitudes towards AI. In an era when political consensus is elusive, this study finds widespread agreement within policy communities on both sides of the Atlantic that government regulation of AI should be increased.

About Povaddo: Povaddo specializes in public opinion and policy elite research. Founded in 2009, Povaddo is recognized as a trusted advisor to top-tier organizations seeking to navigate complex issues management, strategic communications, corporate reputation, and business transformation challenges. Most of the firm’s clients sit within external affairs, corporate affairs, public affairs, government affairs, regulatory affairs, scientific affairs, corporate communications, business planning and strategy. For more information, please visit www.povaddo.com.

About Prolegis: Prolegis provides nonpartisan technology solutions designed to modernize Congress. Built specifically for the policymaking community, Prolegis delivers innovative solutions, efficient tools, and engaging content, all on one easy-to-use platform. The platform serves Congressional staff, think tank scholars, and public affairs professionals, creating a unique intersection where policy expertise and advocacy meet. For more information, please visit www.prolegis.com.

Media Inquiries: William Stewart, +1 (855) 768-2336, stewart@povaddo.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/povaddo-and-prolegis-announce-strategic-partnership-to-expand-access-to-public-policy-professionals-for-opinion-research-302760432.html

SOURCE POVADDO LLC

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