Business Accelerator for Indigenous Entrepreneurs Starts New Cohort
The Joint Economic Development Initiative is starting the new cohort of its accelerator for indigenous entrepreneurs, with a special focus on scaling and exporting.
JEDI, a non-profit that aims to foster Indigenous economic growth, said the 10-week program will accommodate seven companies, ranging in specialties from software development to 3D printing.
Unlike previous iterations of its accelerator, this program took in companies that are already well positioned for high growth with strong, validated business plans.
“This accelerator will take people from the point of market validation to full-blown go-to-market activates,” Mark Taylor, the Shipbuilding Strategy Manager at JEDI, said in an interview.
JEDI, which has partnered with organizations like BDO Canada, Lockheed Martin and BMO, will help companies create pitch decks, protect their IP, and learn hiring procedures. Taylor said the cohort will focus on exporting, global reach and investment.
“This particular cohort with have a huge emphasis on raising investment,” said Taylor. He added: “Throughout the whole process, they have to be knocking on doors, raising funds, whether it’s with angels, government funding, what have you.”
Read more about this year’s group in Entrevestor.