Moncton Startup Incubator Brings Two New Entrepreneurs Onboard
MONCTON –Venn’s Garage incubator program has welcomed two fledgling Moncton startups into the fold.
The startup incubator arm of the Moncton-based tech-industry economic development agency has brought on startups Oz Health and DYOFOX (Viclys System). Both were selected after an open-pitch event.
Venn says the companies are joining twenty other startups already participating in the non-cohort incubator program for tech-enabled startups.
Frances LeBlanc, founder of Oz Health, said she’s looking forward to using Venn’s many online resources and working with its staff to build her online platform.
She noted she’s already benefitted from mentorship, having consulted entrepreneur-in-residence Norbert Demps.
“His early insights have been helpful to structure the platform and on how to proceed,” said LeBlanc.
“The community is supportive and generous with their time and ability to support and has a generous amount of resources available for startup founders.”
Oz Health, LeBlanc’s burgeoning startup, is building a database of information for patients with chronic health conditions to better manage their health and make informed decisions.
This includes an e-learning platform with decision-making tools, so patients can share information with healthcare providers and caregivers.
“Oz Health helps patients who are diagnosed with chronic illness or conditions, who need extra time, resources, and tools to help them understand their health so they can help themselves, in terms of improving their quality of life and longevity,” she said.
LeBlanc, a Moncton native, said the idea that became Oz Health had been “percolating” in her mind for a while, thinking of opportunities to enhance how patients manage chronic conditions and give them more sophisticated resources outside of Google searches to help them manage their symptoms.
Viclys System, founded by Anthony Illunga, wants to create software products for small and medium-sized enterprises. DYOFOX refers to a face-recognition and object detection software that could potentially be used by law enforcement, public safety, or for workplace safety.
Illunga told Huddle joining the Garage program will allow him to get information on how to fund his idea and bring it to market.
“Venn’s help is good because they can help us build trust around our technology,” said Illunga. “They can help build a commitment to help customers and people get to know more about our business.”
Garage’s self-paced program helps tech-based startups in New Brunswick prove their tech strategies. It also provides early adopted customers to grow and scale businesses.
By joining Venn Garage, both startups will have access to mentorship, coaching, and support with tech validation and setup.
Alicia Grayeb, program manager for startup services with Venn, said both startups will have access to in-kind services that include resources like workshops, a pool of mentors, and guidance in the non-cohort startup program.
Venn notes that Grayeb and entrepreneur-in-residence Norbert Demps will share their tech expertise and business know-how as part of the program.
They will help startups find a balance between costs, effectiveness, quality, talent, and resource-related challenges.
Participating entrepreneurs will also have access to an archive of previous workshops and access to Venn’s private cloud, with its network and resources, through which they’ll be able to host meetings and securely save documents and links.
“They either come here with an idea or they’ve been working on an idea but haven’t validated their market or their idea. Or, they’re very early stage, where they started beta-testing a minimum viable product, or started early adopter sales, but don’t have significant investment or sales,” she said.
Grayeb said startups are considered “graduated” once they reach a certain sales or investment threshold.
One thing that impressed Grayeb during the most recent open pitch was the increase in newcomer entrepreneurs participating in the incubator.
“I know with the pandemic things were slowed down a bit, but we’re happy to see more newcomer participants. What stood out in this virtual pitch event is the increase in newcomer entrepreneurs,” said Grayeb.
“New Brunswick is becoming a place where highly skilled and innovative newcomers feel comfortable to take the big leap into entrepreneurship, and we are committed to supporting them,” said Grayeb.
Venn and the Garage program have helped hundreds of New Brunswick startups. Venn, funded by tech economy entrepreneurs and stakeholders, supports innovation-based economic development by bringing tech companies to market and helping them grow.
Venn and its Garage are subsidized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the City of Moncton, and the province.
Sam Macdonald is a Huddle reporter in Moncton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].