Startup accelerator platform HIGHLINE and the Ontario Centres of Excellence have announced a new partnership that will see the two parties join forces to offer Ontario-based start ups seed funding and entrepreneurship skills training.
HIGHLINE, the end product of the August merger between Vancouver-based GrowLab Ventures and Toronto’s Extreme Startups, will be responsible for accepting and reviewing applications for the new program. The two organizations will offer up to $30,000 each to the successful applicants along with training to help entrepreneurs obtain the skills necessary for business growth.
OCE president and CEO Tom Corr says the partnership is built on a foundation of shared objectives and hopes it will help take Ontatio’s brightest and most promising tech startups to the next level. OCE plans to use Ontario’s $9 million SmartStart Seed Fund for its contributions to the program.
“We’re thrilled to be an OCE SmartStart Seed Fund partner based on our past 23 co-investments, says Marcus Daniels, co-founder & CEO at HIGHLINE. “SmartStart has made a huge impact on both our portfolio companies and the Ontario startup ecosystem where our co-investments secured more than $10 million dollars in follow-on capital within the last two years.”
Applications will be reviewed by HIGHLINE and shortlisted candidates will be reviewed by a panel comprised of both HIGHLINE and OCE staff. The top applicants will be accepted to the program and receive funding and training, though there is no indication of the capacity of the program.