Launch your business into the real world
Collide Launch is a 12-week summer accelerator that brings together members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem from across Canada to turn ideas into viable businesses.
Who’s It For? Undergraduates, graduates, certificate students, and faculty members eager to launch a business, and have conducted a minimum of 30 initial customer discovery interviews.
About the program
The Collide Launch program is a summer accelerator for students who are committed to growing their ventures. Collide Launch is a 12-week immersive program that brings together members of the Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem to turn ideas into viable products. Past teams have gone on to further their ventures at top accelerators around the world.
Our goal is to develop innovators and entrepreneurs. We do this through a process of accountability by helping participants to achieve the milestones they set for themselves.
How it works
June – September | 10 teams | Receive up to $10,000 stipend per participant, and up to $3,000 in milestone payments per team
Accelerate and refine your venture through workshops on Customer Problem, Product Value, and Business Model. Get insights and support from a range of successful entrepreneurs and industry experts to guide you through your idea development and testing stages.
September Onwards
Onwards and upwards! Use your newfound connections and momentum to push your venture to new heights. The Launch ecosystem will always stay behind you, cheering you on.
Why join the Collide Launch program?
Mentorship and Coaching: Industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs provide feedback and advice. Meet the founder council members for the 2023 cohortsÂ
Simulated “Board of Directors”: Accountability and real-world exposure through monthly simulated Board of Director meetingsÂ
Networking: Opportunities to develop connections with fellow entrepreneurs, funders, investors, start-up thought leaders, ecosystem players, and industry expertsÂ
Opportunity to win cash prizes: On Pitch Day, teams will have the chance to compete for a prize pool of $9,000.
Mental Resilience: Mental resilience coaching to handle stress and anxiety, along with one year subscription to headspace appÂ
Perks and benefits: Access to course materials, workspace, personalized feedback, media mentions, and othersÂ
The Collide Launch 2024 cohort begins on May 21, 2024, with some pre-training sessions leading up to the core program. The core program will run virtually from June 3 to August 30, with a week-long break from July 15 to July 19. The program will conclude with a Pitch Day at Dalhousie University, Halifax, in September.
Applications open – February 15, 2024
Applications close – March 17, 2024
Acceptance confirmed by – early April
Pre-training & kick off – May 21, 2024 to May 30, 2024Â
Program – June 3, 2024 to August 30, 2024Â
Pitch day – scheduled for the week of September 16, 2024, with the final date to be decidedÂ
Please note that there will be no programming during the week of July 15.Â
To apply simply fill out the online application form and outline the following details:Â
- Your teamÂ
- Your ideaÂ
- The problem you are trying to solve, and what inspired you to solve this problemÂ
- Your proposed solution, and why you believe this solution might support a sustainable, stand-alone business.Â
Applications are reviewed by a team of evaluators. Shortlisted teams will be invited to interview with us during the review phase and will be confirmed by early April. Â
Please note: Applications should be written in a manner that does not reveal any proprietary information or disclose information that is not yet publicly disclosed or covered by a patent/provisional patent. Consider any information that you disclose to be non-confidential.Â
- Minimum of 2 founder-level team members who plan to participate in the program (no more than three co-founders)Â
- At least one participating team member must be a current student or a recent graduate (i.e. graduated within the past two years as of March 2024), from an Atlantic Canadian academic instituteÂ
- Founders are expected to commit a minimum of 20 hours each per week to their start up throughout this program in addition to up to 3-5 hours a week of programming time and must present at the Pitch Day event in September.
- The program is funded in part through the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program. As a result, each applicant must be eligible for Mitacs funding and participate full-time to qualify for the stipend.
Teams must have some understanding of the entrepreneurial process and must demonstrate familiarity with common frameworks (Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, etc.)Â - Teams should have completed at least 30 initial customer discovery interviews and be able to provide evidence to support their claims.
Info Session for 2024
What participants are saying
“It was a pleasure to sit on a board for the [Launch] program. Watching teams use the feedback the board provided to them to improve month by month was rewarding. It was incredible to see how the teams grew and learned as they brought their ideas to life”
– Catherine Love, board member @ Launch
“[Launch] is the ideal program for a start-up looking to test the waters with their exciting new idea. They set you up for future success by teaching you the strategies to discover more about your customers and your market. The team also helps you develop a strong business plan so by the time the program is over, you will be ready to the next stage of your start-up’s journey”
– Jared Hudson, Co-founder @ MyPAQ
Upcoming cohort
Applications for Collide Launch 2024 are now closed!
For any technical problems or queries regarding your application or eligibility, please reach out to George Wu – Program Manager at george.wu[at]dal.ca
The Launch accelerators are made possible with the support of the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Mitacs, Springboard Atlantic, and with private sectors partners.
