Vancouver-based startup incubator GrowLab has announced the five companies that will take part in its four-month, mentor-driven accelerator program.
Competition to participate in GrowLab’s inaugural class was intense, with more than 300 startups from around the world applying for consideration.
GrowLab co-founder Jason Bailey said “We were overwhelmed by the response to our call for applicants. We received applications ranging from gaming and social commerce to education, and we’re very excited by the group of founders we’ve chosen.”
Two Vancouver-based startups made the cut.
Matygo is a cloud-based learning management system with a global network of educators, learners and resources across multiple campuses.
Placeling is a web-based platform that allows people to share the places they love and explore the world based on the trusted experience of others.
The other three startups are Shape Collage, from Toronto, SunnyTrail, from Bucharest, Romania and Ecquire, a Philadelphia-based tech company.
On Monday, the companies’ co-founders started taking part in an intensive program, designed to hone not only the new companies’ products but also their stories, aiming toward an invitation-only investor day at the conclusion of the program.
At this event, the founders will then pitch their companies to a select group of angel and venture capital investors, to secure their next round of funding.
GrowLab co-founder Debbie Landa said “The combination of this kind of world-class talent and the kind of connections and mentorship GrowLab offers is critical to growing a resilient, competitive startup ecosystem in Canada. And the Vancouver startup community is finally coming of age. The energy, talent and buzz about the scene here is amazing.”
Jennifer Harrison
Twitter: JHarrisonBIV