23 Startups Join the New UN Sustainable Development Cohort at AC:Studio

The Accelerator Centre (AC) has announced the commencement of Cohort 2 of its AC:Studio program, which has selected 23 innovative startups to participate in this initiative aimed at promoting sustainable technologies. The program is backed by a significant investment of $3.9 million from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). This support aims to help early-stage startups develop solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while boosting regional economic growth.

Ruth Casselman, the CEO of the Accelerator Centre, expressed enthusiasm about the diverse group of entrepreneurs chosen for the program. She emphasized the importance of their innovative approaches to addressing global challenges and the commitment of the AC to assist these startups in scaling their businesses quickly, thereby stimulating economic growth not just in southern Ontario but on a global scale. Each selected startup will receive up to $100,000 in seed funding along with essential resources such as tactical product development support, marketing assistance, user interface and user experience (UI/UX) guidance, personalized mentorship, and access to a network of freelance experts.

Evan Solomon, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, also praised the chosen founders, acknowledging their efforts to confront significant global issues such as climate change and global equity. He affirmed the government's commitment to support these entrepreneurs in transforming their innovative ideas into impactful real-world applications.

The AC:Studio program highlights a mission-driven focus on the UN SDGs, fostering collaboration among a diverse array of startups across various innovation hubs in southern Ontario. This collaborative ecosystem includes partnerships with organizations like Altitude Accelerator, Boundless Accelerator, and Communitech, which together contribute to a wide-ranging representation of sectors and impact areas.

Yvonne Pilon, President and CEO of WEtechAlliance, expressed excitement about participating in the program, indicating plans to connect selected founders with mentorship opportunities and pathways to commercialization. This partnership addresses key sectors in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, including mobility, advanced manufacturing, and agri-tech, further emphasizing the program's aim to support purpose-driven innovations that can thrive both regionally and globally.

Among the selected startups, notable trends include advancements in clean technology and renewable energy, innovations in health and patient care, the integration of AI and robotics for inclusivity, as well as solutions promoting a circular economy and sustainable infrastructure. The cohort also focuses on smart city initiatives, enhanced mobility, and climate resilience.

The startups chosen for Cohort 2 include:

- ArcticEdge Technologies
- Asima Health Inc.
- Cyberworks Robotics
- elerGreen
- Faradix
- Flutter Care Inc.
- FractalEV
- Gibbly
- GrownStone
- HyC Light
- Innovate-Ops Inc.
- Innovia GEO Corp.
- Jitto
- LandLogic
- Material Futures
- PatientCompanion
- REPWR
- Steadiwear Inc.
- Swish Solar
- Telica
- Upliv Global Inc.
- Wygo
- Xatoms

For those interested in learning more about the AC:Studio or inquiring about the next application phase for Cohort 3, the program's Manager of Programs and Client Experience, Susy Kusta, is available for contact.