Atlantic Canada’s Virtual Accelerator, Propel, has revealed the list of seven startups that graduated from its most recent Traction and Growth cohort. The Tech Factor finds out details about each of the companies.
Propel, the Atlantic Canada-based virtual startup accelerator, has announced seven startups that recently graduated from its Traction and Growth program. This program works with entrepreneurs who have a proven product, generating over thousand dollars in monthly revenue, and are also full-time. Propel calls it the second-stage of journey; it’s other program ‘Vision and Validation’ is for startups that are at an earlier stage.
Propel provides pre-revenue and revenue-generating startups with customized programming and mentoring through a series of cohorts held throughout the year. Last year, it commemorated its 20th anniversary of supporting tech entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada. The Tech Factor recently interviewed Kathryn Lockhart, Propel’s CEO, on her journey, the challenges & opportunities in Atlantic Canada, the region’s recent VC activity, as well as Propel’s impact. She had mentioned then that Propel “now serves over 115 companies a year, with over 175 founders across Atlantic Canada”.
The Nova Scotian government granted Propel CA$1.05 million in funding last year. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) gave it a further CA$2.9 million grant later in the year. These government grants fund 50% of Propel’s operations, which has a team of 10 people with 5-6 coaches, Lockhart had shared earlier. Some of its earlier successful graduates include frenter, QuickFacts, PayTic, and Tranquity Online. The team said that till date it has helped over a thousand startups validate product-market fit, find repeatable customers and raise funding.
Propel CEO, Kathryn Lockhart, said in a statement:
“We value the role that we play in getting these founders on a clear path to building and scaling their companies. We look forward to seeing where they go next.”
List of seven latest graduates from Propel cohort
Propel revealed that the seven startups to graduate from its Traction and Growth cohort were as follows:
- Three Hippies: The company is based in Price Edward Island and its team is led by Gordie Noye (CEO) and Cleve Myers (CFO). The company is building a SaaS solution called Locarius to solve social or ethical issues, beginning with ticket fraud.
- Seathru Technologies: This startup is based in Holyrood, Newfoundland and Labrador. By combining cutting-edge technologies for remote, real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of vital equipment on board maritime vessels, it aims to lead the way in the global digitalization of the oceans.
- Air Clarity Solutions: This startup is based in New Brunswick and is founded by Mike Rushton. Air Clarity Solutions builds innovative air filtration systems to reduce workplace industrial air pollution for employees, improving productivity and reducing costs.
- dependbuild: dependbuild is also based in New Brunswick and is founded by Conor O’Brien and Tom Cooper. The startup is building an AI powered co-pilot for project delivery. It’s product is a cloud-based risk and knowledge management platform for municipalities and infrastructure developers.
- AIR Institutes: Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the startup is founded by Dr. Jackie Kinley. AIR’s provides coaching, education, as well as training programs to businesses to help build mental resilience in employees.
- iNav4U: Based on Oxford, Nova Scotia, iNav4U is led by Olivier Hendrikx (CEO) and Brenda Robinson (COO). It is a sophisticated yacht operating system designed for captains, improving situational awareness using intelligent analysis of sensor data.
- Remotecon: This is the third startup in the cohort from Nova Scotia. Remotecon specializes in cutting-edge sensors and communication solutions for ocean-tech to further enhance deep-sea exploration.
