Accelerators and incubators are very popular and vital in today’s startup ecosystem. They play a major role in startup communities through out the world. With mentoring, which is one of the most important services they provide, accelerators and incubators are really necessary for startups to grow up. And Canada is a country in where there are plenty of them. Research on key accelerators and incubators in shows these are the top 10.
TOP 10
Techstars
Techstars is one of the leading accelerators in the world. It began about 10 years ago in Boulder, Colorado. It is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. They have $3.8B total funding and $9.9B market cap. Some examples of Techstars ventures are Uber, Twilio and Data Robot.
Founder Institute
Aspiring entrepreneurs have used Founder Institute to form and improve their business ideas, develop their marketing strategy, improve their pitch, launch a product, prepare to raise capital, generate revenue, and more. The survival rate of the companies that Founder Institute worked with, is approximately 72%. Udemy is one of the graduates of Founder Institute.
MaRS
It is one of the leading seed stage investor in Ontario, investing in IT, health and cleantech companies. It has 115 investments and its total funding is $733M. Client Outlook, Encycle and One Local are 3 of the companies MaRS has invested.
Velocity
From idea to product development to commercialization, Velocity provides the knowledge, tools, space and network that startups and entrepreneurs need for success.
The Velocity program includes a student dorm, workspaces in Waterloo region, events, mentor programs and more. More than 215 companies started in the Velocity ecosystem and $550 million invested in Velocity companies to date.
DMZ Ryerson
DMZ helps startups since 2010. DMZ startups operate in an environment that cultivates success. From access to investors, target customers, industry-leading experts and community events, its startups have what they need to scale and succeed as global companies. Form Hero and Life Tales are 2 of the DMZ’s startups.
Utest
The UTEST Program is part of U of T’s growing ecosystem of incubators and commercialization support services. In partnership with MaRS Innovation and with the financial support of the Connaught Fund, it provides companies with start-up funding, mentoring, business strategy and office space at the Banting Building at the University of Toronto St. George Campus.
eSAX
eSAX events are large entrepreneur networking extravaganzas. Held every 3 months, they promote small business and collaboration among regional Chambers of Commerce in Ottawa.
Invest Ottawa
Invest Ottawa delivers economic development programs and initiatives that increase entrepreneurial momentum, wealth and jobs in the Cİty of Ottawa and its surrounding region. Its goal is to make Ottawa the most innovative city in Canada.
Invest Ottawa services include startup incubation and mentorship, acceleration for existing companies, global business attraction and local business retention and more.
Startup Edmonton
Startup Edmonton is an entrepreneurial community hub. It connects entrepreneurs and product builders with skills, community and workspace to support them as they take ideas to reality. Since 2009, it has brought together entrepreneurs, developers, students, founders, mentors, & investors to transform ideas into some of Canada’s most exciting and successful startup & scaling companies.
FounderFuel
FounderFuel pushes companies to refine their vision, expand their network and rapidly accelerate their output. Groove, Playerize and OpenEra are some of the companies that FounderFuel works with.
