Startup Zone, a business incubator based in Charlottetown, is launching an early-stage accelerator program for startups that need assistance with product development, branding, and sales.
“There’s a space here for any entrepreneur who’s super competitive and wants to grow really fast.”
The PEI-based incubator is launching the new program so entrepreneurs can access in-person mentoring, and benefit from a sense of community. Startup Zone is looking for entrepreneurs who will endeavour to develop their product and get them to the market quickly. The organization is expecting to house 20 teams in its program.
“The Startup Zone is a great space for new and experienced entrepreneurs to learn, build, and grow,” Startup Zone’s CEO Patrick Farrar told Entrevestor. “We’ve seen strong success from entrepreneurs over the past three years and we’ve listened to islanders to identify the gaps and barriers in the ecosystem. The community wants to learn, build, and grow faster which is why we’ve created the Startup Zone Accelerator. This accelerator program equips entrepreneurs with the knowledge and connections in product development, branding, and sales.”
Startup Zone was founded in 2016 to offer business model development, access to information sessions, and office-hour support in legal, accounting, marketing, and sales to high-growth businesses. Its goal is to connect entrepreneurs with the tools they need to scale.
The in-person program will operate for 12 weeks, and will incorporate all of the programs and services of Startup Zone’s Resident Company Program in addition to workshops, accountability classes, and additional curricula. Farrar told Entrevestor that participants will receive weekly conferences with Startup Zone growth coach Pat Sebastien, who previously served as director of organization support at 7 Cups, a California-based health and wellness startup.
Propel, which runs virtual accelerator Incite for startups in Atlantic Canada, will also help with the new accelerator by allowing participants to access LeanStack, a program developed by one of the creators of the lean canvas. Leanstack combines the lean canvas and traction model, aiming to make accurate projections of a company’s success rate over three years.
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“This is what the community has asked for,” said Startup Zone CEO Patrick Farrar to Entrevestor. “I think there’s a space here for any entrepreneur who’s super competitive and wants to grow really fast. We’re creating that program for the entrepreneur who wants to have an MVP, branding and sales by the end of the year.”
Interested startups can apply here. The deadline for applications is August 25.
Image courtesy Startup Zone
