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Waterloo Accelerator Centre

Waterloo, OntarioFinesseMember

Where the real business of entrepreneurship gets done, every day

The Accelerator Centre is a world renowned, award winning startup incubator. Our customized curriculum and mentorship model accelerates growth and helps our clients build and scale sustainable companies. We exist to help you actualize your venture, acc...

Founded

2006

Affiliation

Award-winning accelerator with high-touch, founder-first approach. Offers work-from-space facilities and 1-on-1 mentorship from experienced founders and industry leaders. Partners with institutions like University of Waterloo and Communitech. Supported by government programs like FedDev Ontario. Hosts regular events, workshops, and community gatherings.

Industries

General/industry agnostic

Focus Areas

Healthcare/HealthtechAerospaceAutomotive/Electric VehiclesAI/Technology ServicesRoboticsNeurodiversity in TechGender DiversitySocial InnovationDual-use Technology

Sourced from website

Stages supported

IdeaDiscoveryValidationEfficiencyScaleMature
Finessemedium confidence

Refining and expanding venture growth and entrepreneurial competencies and create the connections across innovation ecosystem

Sector-agnostic (broad industry focus). Higher accountability signals (equity/paid programs, later-stage focus).

Learn more about the four BAI types

AC:Incubate

incubator

Core incubation program providing structured programming, mentorship, and community support

AC:Incubate+

incubator

Incubation program with focus on underrepresented founders

AC:Studio

accelerator

Program for early-stage innovative startups

AC:RevLab

accelerator

Program helping high-potential startups transform early traction into scalable and repeatable revenue, delivered in partnership with Communitech

Global Impact Creator Program

accelerator

Collaborative initiative with University of Waterloo designed to help entrepreneurs explore and advance social innovation

Aerospace Accelerator

accelerator

Specialized program for aerospace startups

Sourced from website

  • Ellyn Winters-Robinson

    Mentor, Marketing and Communications

Sourced from website

HC

Humber Centre for Entrepreneurship

Toronto, Ontario

Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves 31,000 full-time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide-range of career-focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path, including 180 full-time programs across more than 40 fields of study, 200 part-time and 60 online programs or courses. More than four out of five of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies.

General/industry agnostic
Foundations & Ecosystem-Building
KR

KITE Research Institute

Toronto, Ontario

KITE is a world leader in complex rehabilitation with 100 scientists dedicated to improving the lives of people living with the effects of disability, illness, and aging. KITE is one of the principal research enterprises at the University Health Network (UHN), Canada's top medical research hospital with more than $539 million in total annual research expenditures and 1,194 principal investigators (2023).

General/industry agnostic
University
Finesse
M

MaRS

Toronto, Ontario

We help innovators build a better world

MaRS supports Canada’s most promising startups — helping them grow, create jobs and solve society’s greatest challenges. From advisory services to connections to talent, capital, customers and more, MaRS offers a range of high-value services that help high-growth companies succeed. We also provide access to the MaRS ecosystem, a curated community of entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, academics and government partners. MaRS Discovery District is a not-for-profit corporation founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2000.

General/industry agnostic
Finesse
NB

NorthStar Business Studio

Toronto, Ontario

**NorthStar Business Studio** is a premier business accelerator and consultancy based in Canada, dedicated to guiding startups and entrepreneurs toward success. We provide strategic business advisory, startup incubation, and comprehensive support services, including business planning, funding assistance, mentorship, and market expansion strategies. With a strong network of partners, including investors, accelerators, and legal advisors, NorthStar Business Studio empowers innovators with the tools, expertise, and connections needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you are launching a startup or scaling your business, we are your trusted partner for growth and innovation.

General/industry agnostic
Finesse