November 2023

Alberta Accelerator by 500


A rotating program between batches in Edmonton and Calgary, designed with the shared vision of strengthening Alberta as a global hub for tech innovation.

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  • Accelerator Program

  • Mentor Training Program

  • Partners

  • Alumni Startups

Scale in the heart of Alberta’s tech innovation hub

We designed this unique program in the region for local and global entrepreneurs to land and expand in the tech innovation ecosystem of the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor. The Alberta Accelerator program focuses on growth and scaling, and is a non-investment program.

Batch 5 of the program will welcome up to 20 startups, in Edmonton, to get the opportunity to leverage our startup playbook, run rapid experiments to test the market, and learn funding best practices to scale in Alberta and beyond.

Why the Alberta Accelerator?

Bespoke programming

Discover a tailored curriculum sensitive to growing sectors in the region, including clean energy, digital health innovation, artificial intelligence, and more.

Coaching and mentorship

Work directly with resident mentors dedicated to program participants, along with visiting mentors with local and global industry expertise to run rapid experiments, hold customer discovery interviews, and test product-market-fit.

500’s global network

Join this unique program while gaining access to a global network of partners, mentors, startups, and more.

Program Overview

Here's what you can expect

This 12-week hybrid program rotates between batches in Edmonton and Calgary, with 6 weeks of in-person delivery and 6 weeks of virtual delivery.

The Alberta Accelerator by 500 program was designed with the shared vision of strengthening the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor as a global hub for tech innovation

We encourage you to submit an application if you:

  • Are a  pre-seed or seed stage startup
  • Have a tech-enabled solution that is already commercialized and in market
  • Are based in Alberta or looking to land and expand in Alberta

  • Pre-Program

    Application Process

    Applications open on October 9, 2023. The deadline to apply is November 17, 2023. The Alberta Accelerator by 500 team will review all applications carefully. We will reach out to schedule an interview if there is a potential fit.

    We will respond with a decision prior to launching in January 2024.

  • Phase 1

    Foundations of Growth

    Foundational programming to cover growth marketing hacks, developing ideal customer profiles, and creating an effective one-liner.  Founders participate in daily stand-ups that enable peer and resident mentor mentorship and guidance.

  • Phase 2

    Customer Discovery

    Growth experiments, customer interviews, and weekly 1:1 meetings with mentors from 500 Global’s extensive network across industries.

  • Phase 3

    Fundraising

    Startups will learn how to develop an effective presentation and elevator pitch to use with investors.

  • Demo Day

    The program culminates in a Demo Day where founders will present to Canadian and international partners and industry players.

Igor Prykhodko

Batch 3
I am grateful to the Resident Mentors, Shaheel and Tash, for their unwavering support, care, and involvement in Almexoft. Their guidance has helped me define strategic goals and gain a better understanding of the VC economy. The program's framework is brilliant, focusing on running experiments, tracking results, and making data-driven decisions. It gave me a lot of insights and tips on our business, we have significantly rethought our approach in sales and marketing, as well as found new ways for global expansion.”
CEO at Almexoft

Gloria Oppong & Derrick Agyiri

Batch 4
We joined the Alberta Accelerator by 500 with a clear objective – to nurture and convert leads. With clients in our pipeline, we needed a game plan, and the program delivered just that. With guidance from the mentors and through tools such as A/B testing, we’ve cracked the code on our ICP, allowing us to target the right kind of customer. Also, being in Calgary for the program while launching Cleanster in the Alberta market was a game-changer for us. We soaked up wisdom from the mentors and immediately put it into action.”
Cleanster.com Team

Jose Inclan

Batch 4
We were having trouble connecting with new clients. As founders, it’s very easy to have tunnel vision, but the mentors helped me break free from that. The Alberta Accelerator by 500 program has helped us refine our messaging, our ICP, and our sales funnel. Our experience with the accelerator has shaped the company, and I would even say that there’s an 'Uplift' before this and an 'Uplift' after joining the 500 Global program.”
CEO at Uplift

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Contact us at albertaaccelerator@500.co .

 

Are there any fees for participating in this program?

No, there are no fees for participating.

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