*Disclaimer: The following content was released using our former organization name Innovate Edmonton and/or program division Startup Edmonton, prior to the transition to our new brand and name, Edmonton Unlimited.
Propel is our new 12-week pre-accelerator program, powered by a grant from Alberta Innovates, designed to support tech entrepreneurs as they solidify their business foundations and prepare to apply for accelerators, secure investment, and increase revenue.
We are happy to announce the first cohort for Propel is
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Prototype Hubs (Mitchell Eaton)
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Resume Free (Allie Knull)
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Quote to Me Inc. (John Chabluk)
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Stoak (Noah Hammer)
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Xkey AiEstimation (Rob Swynar)
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EZOPS (Brandon Ambrose)
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RxDelivry (Hasnain Raza)
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CommerceOwl (Gezim Hoxha)
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What’s the Deal? (Kate Popiel)
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UeventPRO (Angela Contardi)
The companies were selected by way of competitive application decided upon by community panel made up of Chad Langager with AltaML, Kristina Milke with Valhalla Private Capital, Startup Edmonton Operations Manager Lauren Briske, and Startup Edmonton Program Manager Jessica Doody.
Prior involvement in Startup Edmonton programs was not a requirement for acceptance: The cohort was picked from early-stage companies from a variety of industries that had a scalable tech-enabled product being used in market, launched within the past 18 months, an understanding of product space and why their product is a solution, and proof of customers/users.
“Building on the success of our foundational programs Business Model 101 and Preflight, Propel is a fantastic opportunity to support early-stage tech startups as they continue to push towards revenue growth and investment opportunities. Experts in product management, investment, team culture, artificial intelligence, and sales from trusted partners are on-hand to provide insight and advice when founders need it the most,” says Jessica Doody.
Running from March 9 – May 29, 2020, Propel is a customized series of mentorship opportunities and ecosystem activities that provides participants with connections with experts, advisors, founders and funders from across Canada including CDMN advisors, Valhalla Private Capital, 321 Growth Academy, A100, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute and more.
Additionally, the program will train key skills training required for startup success through structured programming with a structured forum for weekly peer-to-peer mentoring.
The participants will receive accountability coaching with weekly progress check-ins with the Propel Program Manager and access to Market Intelligence provided by MaRS with access to growth opportunities such as Collision and Microsoft for Startups.
As part of the program each participant will also be offered full-time workspace at Startup Edmonton.
Propel is worth an estimated $7,000 to participants, but is currently being offered free of charge to qualifying founders.
“There is immense potential in Edmonton’s innovation sector and with Propel Innovate Edmonton is working to help facilitating turning that that potential into prosperity,” says Cheryll Watson, Vice President Innovate Edmonton.
Startup Edmonton is committed to aligning programs with the needs of our city’s founders and startup community. The recently compiled YEG Innovation Compass Action Plan is the guiding document we turn to as we develop new offerings, such as Propel. The Propel program aligns with the areas of Investment, Talent, and Customers in the plan, with a major focus on startup company founder development.