Following the successful pilot cohort of the program, cohorts 2 and 3 will provide startups up to $100,000 in seed funding grants to launch, grow, and scale Ontario-made solutions that drive the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The Accelerator Centre (AC) is pleased to announce the launch of the UN Sustainable Development Cohorts of the AC:Studio program, supported by $3.9M in funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). This new initiative will support 46 early-stage startups focused on sustainable technologies that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing key global challenges while contributing to regional economic growth.
At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a global blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable future. “By aligning our program with the SDGs, we are not only nurturing innovative technologies, but also ensuring that our startups contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges in areas like clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive economic growth,” said Ruth Casselman, CEO of the AC. “This focus is essential as we drive progress that benefits both our local communities and the global ecosystem.”
Working in close collaboration with WEtech Alliance, SnapPea Design, and Conestoga College’s Gig Lab, the program offers a dynamic suite of resources, including:
- Up to $100,000 in non-repayable contributions
- One-to-one mentorship from our team of in-house and specialist advisors
- Tactical support in product development, marketing, UI/UX, and more from industry experts and experienced startup builders
Additionally, the AC will partner with CarbonGraph, an alumnus of cohort 1 of the program, to help founders develop frameworks to measure the impact of their ventures on the planet.
Building on the success of our inaugural program—which supported 100 startups and generated over 400 jobs—the new cohort is designed to accelerate the growth of ventures that are not only economically promising but also aligned with global sustainability priorities. This integrated approach ensures that southern Ontario remains at the forefront of innovation, building a robust pipeline of businesses that can make a lasting impact both regionally and globally.
Applications for the program will open on April 30, 2025.
For more information and to sign up for notifications when applications open, please visit www.ac-studio.ca.
Quotes
“To protect our local economies and increase the capacity of local supply chains, we need to support homegrown solutions that drive innovation, create good-paying jobs for Canadians, and tackle climate change. Today’s investments highlight the Government of Canada’s continued commitment to driving innovation and sustainable growth across key sectors, ensuring that Canadian solutions lead the way.”
– The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Our commitment to reinvigorating Ontario’s entrepreneurial spirit has never been more critical. A recent report by the Business Development Bank of Canada highlights a concerning trend: there are fewer entrepreneurs today than there were a decade ago. This decline threatens not only our local economic growth but also our ability to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The continuation of the AC:Studio program represents a critical pathway for startups to build innovative, impactful businesses right here in Ontario. Through this program, we are empowering entrepreneurs to develop solutions in cleantech, electric vehicles, agri-tech, and sustainability, ensuring that our region remains a global leader in solving some of the biggest challenges of our time.”
– Ruth Casselman, CEO, Accelerator Centre
“The Accelerator Centre continues to set the standard for high-impact programming that propels early-stage startups toward success. With this renewed partnership, we are eager to build on the momentum of the first AC:Studio cohort, extending world-class support, funding, and networks to even more bold and innovative founders. This next phase offers an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs across southern Ontario, including Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, to develop transformative solutions that drive clean economic growth, advance global sustainability goals, and strengthen Canada’s innovation economy.”
– Yvonne Pilon, President & CEO, WEtech Alliance
“At Conestoga, we believe that empowering entrepreneurial talent is key to building a more sustainable and innovative future. Our continued collaboration with the AC:Studio program will equip early-stage startups with the resources and support needed to develop transformative solutions for both local and global challenges. Through the Gig Lab and Gig Marketplace platform, Conestoga freelancers deliver industry-level services in areas such as marketing, web design and software development, helping startups accelerate their journey to market.”
– Rose Mastnak, Director of the Conestoga
“At SnapPea Design, we know that finding product-market fit is one of the biggest challenges early-stage founders face. That’s why we’re excited to collaborate with the Accelerator Centre on AC:Studio—bringing together funding, mentorship, and hands-on tactical support to help startups move from idea to scalable business faster. The AC’s commitment to doubling down on high-potential companies aligns perfectly with our approach to building world-class ventures, and we’re thrilled to support founders in turning their innovations into market-ready solutions.”
— Steve Fyke, CEO, SnapPea Design
“Understanding and measuring environmental impact towards meeting reduction roadmap goals is becoming a critical factor in building a successful, scalable business. Through our partnership with the AC and AC:Studio, we’re excited to help founders integrate sustainability into their business models from day one. By aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we’re ensuring that startups in the program not only achieve product-market fit but do so in a way that drives positive environmental and social impact.”
— Ty Shattuck, CEO, CarbonGraph
