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GrowLab Announces Five Startups Chosen for First Accelerator Program
Monday, August 15, 2011Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, August 15, 2011--(T-Net)--Vancouver-based accelerator GrowLab has announced the five startups that will take part in GrowLab's four month, mentor-driven accelerator program for Fall 2011.
Competition to participate in GrowLab's inaugural class was intense, as over 300 startups from around the world applied for consideration. “We were overwhelmed by the response to our call for applicants,” said Jason Bailey, one of the GrowLab co-founders. “We received applications ranging from gaming and social commerce to education, and we're very excited by the group of founders we've chosen.”
The following companies will take part in the Fall Program:
More details are available on the GrowLab website.
Beginning August 15, 2011 the co-founders for these five companies will take part in an intensive program, designed to hone not only the new companies' products but also their stories, aiming toward an invitation-only Investor Day at the conclusion of the program. At this event, the founders will then pitch their companies to a select group of angel and venture investors, to secure their next round of funding.
GrowLab will be based in the Gastown district in Vancouver as well as Rocketspace in San Francisco. On August 16th, GrowLab will be hosting an Open House to introduce and welcome their new entrepreneurs into the community. The GrowLab event also coincides with the popular Grow Conference, an entrepreneur and innovation conference that brings some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley to Vancouver over three days.
The Grow Conference is the brainchild of Debbie Landa, CEO of Dealmaker Media and co-founder of GrowLab. The link between the Conference and GrowLab is extremely valuable for the new cohort as they compete internationally for attention in Silicon Valley and the world.
Landa says, “The combination of this kind of world class talent and the kind of connections and mentorship GrowLab offers is critical to growing a resilient, competitive startup ecosystem in Canada. And the Vancouver startup community is finally coming of age. The energy, talent and buzz about the scene here is amazing.”
Investors agree. Kevin Swan, a Principal at iNovia Capital says, “We've been impressed with the early traction GrowLab has shown and are excited to see what happens with the first five companies during the four months of intensive mentorship. You can bet we'll be at Demo Day in November.”
GrowLab will continue to play a central role in bringing talent, investment and mentorship together for the wider community. Regular events will be held in their Gastown facilities and across the city. For information on upcoming events or to learn more about The Spring Program visit the GrowLab website at GrowLab.ca.
About GrowLab
GrowLab is an early-stage, startup accelerator. It provides entrepreneurs with seed funding, office space and four months of intensive mentorship through a global network of successful startup veterans. For more information, please visit http://www.growlab.ca
Press Contact
Michael Tippett
Executive Director
GrowLab
Photo credit: GrowLab
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