UNB Startup Accelerator Receives $650,000 In Funding
FREDERICTON – The Government of Canada has given the University of New Brunswick $655,500 to support the Energia Ventures program.
The funding was given to Energia Ventures through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
Energia Ventures is run through UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship (TME). The accelerator program aims to support startups in the energy, cleantech, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence sectors.
“This investment builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment to support growing, innovative businesses with global reach, help strengthen regional economies, and create good jobs for all Canadians,” said Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin in a release.
Atwin will appear at Energia Ventures’ Virtual Demo Day on Tuesday morning, July 13, to congratulate the entrepreneurs who completed the latest 12-week program.
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“Thanks to ACOA for seeing the importance of the work, which gives us the chance to help develop and support the growth of amazing technologies,” said Joe Allen, Managing Director of Accelerator Programs at TME. “We love what we do and can’t wait to see the successes of all cohorts in the future.”
Energia Ventures is a free accelerator for those who take it and is offered to entrepreneurs from across the world, although preference is given to Atlantic Canadian companies. Startups in the program are given funding, networking opportunities, and programming to aid their business’s development.
“We’re fortunate enough to work along some great people, who happen to be entrepreneurs working on cutting-edge companies. It is so exciting to be a part of it all,” said Allen. “You have to be brave in order to embark on the path of entrepreneurship, but to watch these business owners step up and excel is very impressive.”