AC JumpStart – University of Waterloo

Program:

AC JumpStart – University of Waterloo

Program deadline:

Research focus areas:

Building on the success of the Scientists and Engineers in Business program, the University of Waterloo is helping recent graduates and new alumni commercialize an innovation and start a business by awarding 65 AC JumpStart recipients with seed financing.

Funded by FedDev Ontario and delivered through the Accelerator Centre in partnership with University of Waterloo, AC JumpStart provides early stage technology startups with the seed capital, mentorship, and market-readiness tools needed to build a business in today’s knowledge economy.

Eligibility:

AC JumpStart funding is available to graduates who earned their last Waterloo degree (in any discipline) within five years. Graduates and alumni entrepreneurs (applicants must have graduated or be eligible to graduate) who are passionate about creating new businesses that will turn their ideas and innovations into commercial reality, and are based in Southern Ontario, are encouraged to apply. Faculty members who are interested in startup funding should contact Gary Brock for more information.

Successful AC JumpStart companies gain substantial entrepreneurial advantage through:

• $60,000 in seed capital
• $10,000 in mentorship from experts in finance, sales, marketing, human resources, technology, and product development
• Access to market research
• Connections to prospective inventors

Program submission and application instructions:

AC JumpStart – University of Waterloo will be awarded in five rounds during 2019 and 2020. Deadlines for the FINAL round are:

Applications open: June 29, 2020

Applications due: Sunday, August 9, 2020

Pitches: August 26, 2020

Applicants not successful in a first attempt are permitted to apply a second time to a maximum of two applications.

Contacts:

For questions regarding the program/application, please contact Leanne Armstrong, programs and client experience manager, Accelerator Centre.

For specific University of Waterloo questions, please contact Gary Brock, director of strategic initiatives, Office of Research.

Program information and application:

Please visit AC JumpStart for more information and the application which requires setting up an account.