Arlene Dickinson’s District Ventures Accelerator, an early-stage accelerator for entrepreneurs in the food and health sectors, has announced the 17 companies that will participate in its fourth cohort — the accelerator’s largest cohort to date.
Launched in October 2015, District Ventures Accelerator is a six-month program that aims to help founders with businesses in the food and health spaces, with a specific focus on helping companies increase product-market fit and valuation. Entrepreneurs are connected with peers, business support, capital, and other resources needed to help them grow their business.
“We continue to garner overwhelming support along with significant numbers of applications,” said Dickinson, Venture Communications’ CEO and former Dragons’ Den star. “This cohort received our largest number of applications to date and we are very pleased to welcome an extraordinary group of entrepreneurs who hail from across Canada.”
“The goal of District Ventures Accelerator is to help lead growing Canadian companies to national and international success.”
– Arlene Dickinson
In addition to accessing crucial resources, entrepreneurs are also connected to District Ventures’ network of mentors, key service, sponsors, and alumni.
Some companies joining District Ventures’ fourth cohort include Medicine Hat Meat Traders, a family owned meat business; Prairie Fava, which is dedicated to selling fava bean ingredients; and Suzie’s Good Fats, which offers healthy snack bars that have good fats and a low amount of sugar.
“I’m excited to help these companies get their products on physical and digital shelves, increase their sales, and reach new markets,” said Dickinson. “The goal of District Ventures Accelerator is to help lead growing Canadian companies to national and international success.”
At the end of the program, District Ventures’ fourth cohort will pitch their companies to Canadian investors, retailers, and distributors at a Demo Day.
Dickinson recently raised $26 million for her first venture fund, District Ventures CPG-1 LP, which will focus on backing startups with products with distribution and a few million dollars in annual sales looking to raise up to $4 million in growth capital.