Common to each accelerator program:
Dedicated Mentor
You’ll work with a dedicated mentor, one-day per week, who brings years of experience to the table. Each company in our program works with the L-SPARK team and their dedicated mentor to create and execute on a customized plan.
Get Pitch Ready
Our pitch experts are on-hand to give you actionable advice on ways to improve your pitch. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your pitch practice to the test during our demo and pitch days, ultimately preparing you for the opportunity to pitch at our marquee events.
Broaden Your Network
Throughout the program, you’ll pitch to venture capital firms, angel investors and corporate partners as appropriate. These meetings will broaden your network and will help you start a dialogue about potential investment or partnership.
Deep Tech. Enterprise. SMB. : SaaS Accelerator
The SaaS accelerator will challenge you to think about how to perfect product-market-fit, identify early adopter prospects, define your sales channels, grow your revenue, build your team, navigate government funding and help you get you “pitch ready” – introducing you to potential angels and VC’s as you raise funding.
We achieve this through an intensive program, tactical and strategic support, relevant workshops and advice from a dedicated mentor who will join your team one day per week. We run weekly Ops Meetings with members from L-SPARK to test your assumptions, brainstorm options, and prepare you for customer and investor meetings.
Women in Tech : Compass North Accelerator
Created in partnership with Queen’s University, Compass North is a five-month accelerator program for women-led companies in the greater Kingston region. Through hands-on mentoring and tactical workshops with industry experts, this program is designed to help you accelerate the growth of your company.
Connected Car : Autonomous Vehicle Accelerator
Founded in partnership with BlackBerry QNX, our Blackberry/L-SPARK Accelerator works with startups who are developing next-generation applications focused on vehicle connected services and cloud connectivity to the vehicle.
Medtech : TELUS L-SPARK Medtech Accelerator
The TELUS L-SPARK Medtech Accelerator supports companies in developing innovative connected medical devices and services aligned with emerging global IoT security standards. This program targeting the medical technology vertical is an offshoot of our Secure IoT Accelerator launched in 2019.
Connected medical devices are part of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), a segment that was already growing at 25% annually pre-COVID-19. It was predicted that by 2030, 40% of hospitals, practices, and health care organizations will have implemented IoMT into their processes – a rate that is likely to increase with the wider implementation of telehealth catalyzed by the pandemic.
As Canadian leaders in information, communication and cybersecurity technologies, TELUS, BlackBerry, Solace, and CIRA have come together to create a technology platform designed for medtech innovators to accelerate the creation, integration, and commercialization of connected medical devices. Participating companies will have pre-commercial access to this Platform, which follows the GSMA IoT Security Guidelines, including implementation of IoT SAFE.
What does L-SPARK look for when selecting startups for their accelerator programs?
We’re always on the hunt for companies that excel in three categories: people, product and market. We work with founders who:
- Are ready to scale up with the help of investment
- Have deep domain expertise but lack experience in scaling a software company
- Are passionate about building a software product that will change the way our world operates
Typically, we look for the following attributes: strong and versatile founding team members, a market-ready and viable product with proven market need, traction, a strong reason for seeking entry into the Accelerator, IP ownership, and a determined drive to meet aggressive goals.
Why should a startup founder choose L-SPARK?
Companies want to participate in our accelerator programs because each program is positioned to address the unique challenges of scaling and growing a startup in niche sectors.
Our SaaS accelerator focuses on revenue generation and becoming investor ready. Our focus helps founders reach important metrics and measure growth accurately by outlining accurate KPIs.
Our TELUS L-SPARK MedTech Accelerator program offers founders pre-commercial access to technology platforms designed to accelerate the creation, integration, and commercialization of connected medical devices.
Through the Blackberry/L-SPARK Accelerator, BlackBerry QNX will provide support for participating companies startups by providing them with free access, training and support to use BlackBerry QNX software applicable to their connected cars project.
For each of our programs we have pulled together a strong group of experienced mentors and advisors who have thrived as CEOs, sales experts and marketing advisors. They also help founders validate momentum so they can attract institutional investment in order to build globally competitive companies.
Do I get to choose my mentor?
The L-SPARK team will work with you to pair a mentor to your company based on the needs of the startup and the mentor’s skills and experience.
Does L-SPARK provide funding to startups?
Today, L-SPARK does not have a fund so we do not invest in the company. In exchange for the six months of intensive services, L-SPARK takes an equity stake in your company upon selection and your agreement to participate. The % equity varies per program.
What is expected of me if I’m chosen to participate in the L-SPARK Accelerator?
We expect startups to be fully dedicated and engaged in operations meetings, workshops, and pitch sessions. The program is intensive, so consistent participation is key to keep track of and meet milestones.
Now that I’ve applied, what happens next?
Once your application is received, a member of the L-SPARK business development team will be in touch to learn more about your company and team.
If your startup is shortlisted, you will be invited to participate in the L-SPARK bootcamp. During the bootcamp, a mentor will be assigned to work with your company to help refine the content of your slide deck and your pitch.
The bootcamp culminates in a Pitchfest, where founders present to a selection committee made up of members from leading Canadian Venture Capital groups and Corporate Partners. The committee is responsible for recommending the companies that will be invited to participate in the program.
What happens after graduating from L-SPARK?
Upon graduation, all of our startups become a member of our alumni community. Our team will check in to learn about developments with each company – we are always a phone call or email away!
You will continue to have access to many of the support systems, events, and initiatives that you had when you were in the program.