SaaS accelerator L-SPARK is launching a new accelerator with BlackBerry that will give companies access to QNX technology.
The BlackBerry/L-SPARK accelerator program is looking for startups with business models and technologies that align with its BlackBerry QNX suite of products (QNX Neutrino OS, QNX Platform for ADAS, QNX OS for Safety, QNX CAR Platform for Infotainment, QNX Hypervisor 2.0 and QNX acoustics middleware). BlackBerry will help companies research and develop product prototypes in robotics, device security, sensor fusion (e.g. LiDAR, radar, cameras and GPS), functional safety, analytics, medical devices, and autonomous vehicles.
L-SPARK will help businesses develop proof of concepts, minimum viable products, and scaling strategies.
“BlackBerry is proud to play an integral role in the growth of Canada’s innovation economy,” said Grant Courville, vice president of QNX engineering, BlackBerry. “The new accelerator program is a great opportunity for us to better interact and collaborate with Canadian software companies and help bring to market innovative products that will shape the way we’ll live, work and play in the future.”
At the same time, L-SPARK will help businesses develop proof of concepts, minimum viable products, and scaling strategies.
“Partnering with BlackBerry to accelerate the growth of high-potential Canadian SMEs is the most effective way to grow the next great, global, technology company,” said Leo Lax, executive managing director of L-SPARK. “But more importantly, it is a great way to elevate the entire Canadian technology community to reach and thrive within the global marketplace.”
L-SPARK will work with the National Research Council-Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), and its network of Industrial Technology Advisors, to find companies with business models and technologies that could benefit from working with the BlackBerry QNX product group.
Six companies will be selected to join the accelerator program.
Applications for the program are due by October 5 here.