Save for Accelerators
Inside Medicine Hat College’s newest space, Omahksipiitaa “Big Eagle Launch”, APEX Alberta, Alberta Innovates, Medicine Hat College, and Community Futures Entre-Corp hosted Save for Accelerators.
The event featured five world-class accelerator programs that are available to all local and small business owners in Southeast Alberta looking to strengthen their expertise and expand their customer base to further grow their business.
Tracy Stroud, Regional Innovation Manager, APEX Alberta, opened the event and invited businesses to see themselves in these quality accelerator programs. She said if a business owner has something unique and novel, they most likely qualify for these programs, and APEX Alberta can help them find the available support, “Tech is software, but it’s also new processes and new products.”
Lan Tan, Accelerators Director, Alberta Innovates, says business owners can expect intense programs where the owners solely work on and build their business. There are high calibre mentors and coaches to give industry insight, and networking opportunities to connect with potential investors.
“The goal is to nurture and prosper the growth of the companies. It doesn’t matter where your business is located geographically; it is possible to grow your company globally,” says Tan.
These world-class accelerators, who’ve supported Canva, Paypal and other well-known companies, are free to local and small businesses in the Southeast Alberta region.
“I saw the whole cross pollination between startups and the globe and it was very impactful,” says Tan.
Alberta Catalyzer
Justin Massar, Program Manager, Alberta Catalyzer, says the accelerator offers business support, resources and mentorship to entrepreneurs in the early stages of building a business, and the program is open to all business owners who are launching or growing a tech-driven product.
“We are here to help build new exciting things and provide support for wherever business owners need to go with their product. The start is the idea, and then Alberta Catalyzer will give direction to flush it out to get the most valuable product. We may change the concept to make the business stronger. Either way, when the owner works on the business in this accelerator, they will really set up their business to increase the customer base,” says Massar.
SVG Ventures - THRIVE
Stephanie Horner, Accelerator Operations Manager, SVG Ventures - THRIVE, says Thrive Academy’s focus is in the agrifood industry and works with over 8,000 startups in over 100 countries — it’s the leading agrifood investment and innovation platform. Horner says the accelerator brings everyone in agriculture technology into one room and makes introductions.
“There is time to learn and take guidance to further gain knowledge about how to create relationships and communicate with customers, investors, and partners. Thrive Academy is connected to SMART Technology at Old’ College, which brings business owners and industry together into one room and helps them overcome challenges,” says Horner.
TELUS Community Safety and Wellness Accelerator
Ryan Cuilleri, Program Director, TELUS Community Safety and Wellness Accelerator, says innovation and entrepreneurship is very alive everywhere, and the idea with this accelerator is to take a transformative approach towards social impacts. The accelerator welcomes business owners from around the world while also showing what’s in Southeast Alberta.
“We help give our companies real context as to what Alberta has to offer in the entrepreneurial and social impact sector. We support them in being in the top of their league and accomplish what they set out to do — you have ideas, they are good, now here is how we can make them work. What we’re all doing and connected to is impactful and important,” says Cuilleri.
Plug and Play Tech Center
Kristyn Coons, Program Manager, Plug and Play Alberta, recently launched an Alberta location in 2022. Since then, the tech center has accelerated 29 startups to date and will be close to 100 by the end of the year, 2022, in the province. Plug and Play works with over 20 industries, and supported Canva and Paypal in their journey, along with many other tech-based businesses.
“We talk to tech companies to see what their problems are, and then find startups that bring solutions to those problems. We try to facilitate business development to generate more learning and concepts that introduce corporations to new technology — what corporations are looking for and what technology fits in. The accelerator is very customizable and flexible to business owners schedules,” says Coons.
500 Global
Simon Grigenos, Program Manager and Rosa Cai, Program Coordinator presented 500 Global. In the 12 week program, business owners will receive community, advice, curriculum, hands-on support, and funding. Business owners will have the opportunity to network and learn from over 1,000 founders, 200 mentors, and the team at 500 Global.
“The accelerator is based on playbooks that work, with the product in market, and the customer base foundations of growth, finance, and fundraising. We have experts — you name it, we have it in this global network,” says Grigenos.
“This accelerator is for startups with a market item looking to scale and grow. We are trying to bring all of Alberta together on the innovation path,” says Cai.
Michael Kerr, Regional Innovation Director, Alberta Innovates, says it’s nice to see everyone engaged in the tech-ecosystem. Alberta Innovates never wants business owners to be lost in the journey, and in these accelerators, they learn to build relationships, receive mentor advice, and find funding, “utilizing these local resources to maximize their benefit.”