The Kitchener-Waterloo-based Accelerator Centre (AC) has opened applications for the inaugural cohort of its Aerospace Accelerator.
The program will culminate in a demo day featuring an international network of investors, airport operators, and corporate partners.
Ten companies in the aerospace sector will be selected to join the program, which intends to provide a combination of remote and in-person access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and potential investors. The program will also provide the potential use of test facilities, including the Region of Waterloo International Airport.
The program was created in collaboration with the municipal government of the Waterloo Region and Airbus subsidiary Navblue, which develops flight operations software. AC said in a statement that the program aims to grow aerospace technologies and the economy of the region, adding that participants will benefit from access to Navblue’s industry expertise.
“Bringing new technologies to market in the aviation industry is complex. Working with AC allows us to combine Navblue’s flight operations expertise and Airbus’ design and manufacturing knowledge to provide mentorship and support the development of new technologies,” Navblue CEO Marc Lemeilleur said in a statement.
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Founded in Waterloo in 2006, AC has been a large component of growing Kitchener-Waterloo’s tech ecosystem having supported more than 750 startups, and attracted $1.8 billion in investments for its companies, according to its 2023 report.
AC has supported notable Canadian tech companies during its history, such as Axonify, Clearpath Robotics, and Miovision.
Companies selected for the Aerospace Accelerator will participate in nine months of programming beginning in March. AC says the cohort can leverage up to $500,000 of in-kind perks and discounts from partners including AWS, Google for Startups, and HubSpot.
The program will culminate in a demo day featuring an international network of investors, airport operators, and corporate partners.
AC says it is looking for “industry-disrupting technologies” from across Canada, but preference will be given to founders whose startups are in or have a strong connection to the Waterloo Region.
The application portal can be found on AC’s website and will close on Feb. 22, 2024.
Feature image courtesy Eric Masur on Unsplash.