As AC JumpStart launches latest cohorts, Minister Chagger speaks on building Canada’s startup ecosystem

Kicking off the announcement for the Accelerator Centre‘s latest cohort, Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and MP for Waterloo, delivered a keynote address to the newest companies to join the Centre at the AC Spark event.

“I’m excited that the AC JumpStart program continues to support entrepreneurs as they build innovative businesses and products. The government of Canada is proud to support the Accelerator Centre in Waterloo and the startup and scale-up of small and medium-sized companies,” said Chagger. “Through the government of Canada’s innovation agenda, our government will do more to help high-potential companies bring great ideas to market faster, and create quality middle-class jobs in Ontario and across Canada.”

Since 2013, FedDev Ontario has provided more than $8.9 million to the AC JumpStart program, which provides $30,000 in seed funding and mentorship to its companies. Spark is meant to showcase promising entrepreneurial prospects in the Waterloo Region.

In conjunction with the AC Jumpstart’s efforts in aiding the success for businesses, Chagger also announced two other initiatives: Canada’s Innovation Agenda, an in-depth plan meant to expand effective support for incubators, accelerators, and Canada’s emerging national network for business innovation and cluster support; and the Accelerated Growth service, a national project that will have all levels of government re-evaluating the best ways to support Canadian businesses. Bodies of government participating in the Accelerated Growth Service include Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and The Business Development Bank of Canada.

“We want Canada to be a world leader in turning ideas into solutions. In growing startup companies into global successes,” said Chagger.

The third and fourth cohorts include:

    Cohort 3

    Find Bob, Financial services platform
    Streetcast, Social media coordination platform
    Dimples, Custom jewelry
    My Pro Hero, Hockey coaching platform
    Eleven-X, Wireless connectivity for IoT
    Fishbuoy, sport fishing, open data company
    Massuni, Customized furniture
    Horizon Solutions, Innovative engineering solutions
    VIV, Social platform
    English Never Stops, Language learning platform
    CoinValue
    Zpharm, Innovative medicines
    Digital Governance Group, Targeted engagement platform
    Kineris, Medical device design firm
    Thalo, Low-power, full colour screen technology
    HealthIM, Proactive mental health technology for law enforcement
    HH Development Limited, Motorsport industry
    Palette, Percision, customizable hardware for software applications
    UCIC, Social platform
    Blueline Equipment
    Vidhub, Video review and collaboration platform
    Local Line Ltd.
    InkSmith, 3-D Printing filament
    Fidget Toys Ltd, Innovative devices to facilitate intuitive movements
    Pressa, Innovative water bottle technology
    TaaCam

    Cohort 4

    11 Kick Corporation
    Penta Medical, Infrared technology on wearable fabric
    Acorn Cryotech, Cryopreservation technology
    Emmetros, Accessible software
    Expeflow, Medical Technology
    Finovertech, Financial innovation technology
    Folktale
    FunnelCake, Analytical marketing platform
    MIKA Audio, Audio hardware
    NFC Authority, NFC technology
    Phototechnica
    Preemptive
    Scintilla Design, Design-lead solutions
    Smith Mellon Solutions
    The Mod Market, B2B software service for automotive
    TuneVu, Mobile broadcasting platform
    Vitruvian Sport Systems, Sports technology
    What’s Life?, Social platform
    Arc Home Automation, Smart vent and thermostat solution
    Greenlight Essentials, Entertainment industry
    Hedgehog Products, Innovative umbrella technology
    Lani, 3D printing technology
    Okey Labs, Password technology
    Plex.ai, Insurance industry technology
    BridesMade, Made2Flatter dress technology
    Sage Labs, Health services platform

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Jose Domingo

Jose (also known as Jofo) is a contributing writer for BetaKit. Student, mentor, digital marketer, or growth hacker. Basically a Jack of all trades. In his pastime, Jofo loves to cook and even ran a Snapchat cooking show.

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