Alberta Scaleup and Growth Accelerators Program
Leading global accelerators are coming to Alberta to build our entrepreneurial ecosystem with the support of a funding consortium led by Alberta Innovates. The Ministry of Jobs Economy and Innovation, PrairiesCan, and Innovate Edmonton and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund are all providing funding for this groundbreaking initiative.
The Alberta Scaleup and Growth Accelerator Program (Scaleup GAP) will accelerate Alberta’s companies to scale and grow and to propel digital transformation.
The program objectives are to:
- Increase entrepreneurial scaleup capacity and knowledge in Alberta.
- Establish a critical mass of new ventures in specialized tech sectors.
- Increase the number of Alberta new junior tech scaleups.
- Create Alberta jobs.
- Increase new Alberta tech company revenue.
- Increase follow-on investment (investment attraction).
This program will contribute to the goals outlined by the Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation:
- 900 new junior technology firms.
- 20,000 jobs.
- $5 billion in technology firm revenue by 2030.
Scaleup GAP is intended to attract Alberta and eligible global companies to strengthen the Alberta ecosystem with a global mindset and provide them access to international collaborations and capital.
Interested in applying?
- These programs are open to companies from Alberta, Canada and around the world.
- Visit the accelerators, below, to learn more about each program and how to apply.
The Accelerators:
Alberta Accelerator by 500
500 Global will nurture seed-stage tech companies in Alberta through the Alberta Accelerator by 500 program.
500 Global is a venture capital firm that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. It focuses on markets where technology, innovation and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth. 500 Global works closely with key stakeholders and advises governments and corporations on how best to support entrepreneurial ecosystems so startups can thrive.
500 Global has backed over 6,000 founders representing more than 2,500 companies operating in 77 countries. Its portfolio has delivered outsized performance including 33 companies valued at over $1 billion and 120 companies valued at over $100 million. 500 Global has 140+ plus team members located in more than 15 countries who bring experience as entrepreneurs, investors and operators from some of the world’s leading technology companies.
By participating in one of the 500 Global accelerator programs, you will receive dedicated mentorship and coaching throughout the program, prepare to scale your business leveraging our tried-and-true growth playbook, and gain access to our global network of founders and partners. Beyond the program, all founders will remain in our network and receive ongoing access to founder perks, mentorship, office hours and events.
Alberta Pre-Accelerator
The Alberta pre-accelerator is a pan-provincial collaboration between Platform Calgary and Innovate Edmonton with support from organizations within all eight regional innovation networks across the Alberta Innovation Network. This province-wide initiative will deliver business support and advice to qualified founders, entrepreneurs, and startups in the early stages of their company’s development.
Startups will be evaluated against objective criteria during each phase and will be advised to pause, pivot, or persevere. Those that meet criteria (persevere) will advance to the next program phase, preparing them to advance to the scaleup/acceleration stage. Startups not yet ready will pause or pivot to refocus and may reapply to the program.
Special attention will be given to recruiting coaches and mentors that reflect the diversity of Alberta’s population. Governance of Alberta’s pre-accelerator will include member organizations that advocate for underserved tech founder communities.
Later this fall, Platform Calgary and Innovate Edmonton will hold a contest with the innovation community to select a permanent name for the new pre-accelerator to replace its current placeholder name.
Community Safety and Wellness Accelerator powered by Alchemist
Community Safety and Wellness Accelerator powered by Alchemist (CSW) is a first-of-a-kind global accelerator to grow ventures in the community safety and wellness space, powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
These groundbreaking programs delivered by Alchemist Accelerator will offer business development, mentorship, data, funding, pilot customers and other opportunities to selected applicants.
Participating companies will be validating their business and technology in Edmonton and surrounding regions by accessing local community service organizations, with the goal of commercializing their solutions around the world.
Plug and Play Alberta
Plug and Play connects the world’s best startups with international corporations to bring technology to market faster.
Participating Alberta startups will have access to a network of more than 40,000 startups, 500+ official corporate partners and 200+ venture capitalists. They will work with top global mentors and investors, access corporate customers, and develop strategies needed to grow and scale their businesses.
Plug and Play Alberta will offer accelerators in these three streams:
Sustainability
Alberta Innovates tackles innovation challenges in natural resource industries that power, feed and provide shelter for the world. By investing in sustainable clean technology innovation, we can improve environmental sustainability and economic diversification.
Plug and Play Alberta is bringing together game-changing ideas from different industries and countries onto one platform to solve the world’s greatest energy and natural resource challenges.
Participating companies will leverage artificial intelligence, IoT and other combinations of technologies to solve real-world problems with commercially viable solutions.
Health
This program connects the best startups in the world to corporations who want to disrupt the health-care industry. It will focus on digital health technologies that challenge clinical practices, improve data analytics, and enhance the patient journey across the continuum of care.
Participating companies will leverage artificial intelligence, sensors, data and new clinical techniques to building a digital health economy for Alberta for the benefit of Albertans’ health.
- System transformation
- Renewed models of care
- Enabling platforms and infrastructure
Agnostic stream:
GOAL (Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning)
Plug and Play’s International Accelerator Program bridges the gap between countries around the world and the most important world markets. This accelerator works with international government agencies, technology incubators and universities, to source, identify and accelerate the most promising startups from various global ecosystems.
- Attraction
Attract the best and brightest startups from around the world. - Adaptation
Provide a soft landing for international entrepreneurs in Alberta and the unique Silicon Valley ecosystem. - Acceleration
Provide the tools and environment that startups need to get to the next level.
Participating companies will provide global solutions in any sector, enabled by artificial intelligence.