Scale AI’s Acceleration program spreads its wings: projects of around 60 start-ups validated and at least as many under evaluation

“The Scale AI supercluster is taking action to create a fertile ecosystem by supporting accelerators and linking key players,” says the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

“By working with our top AI incubators and accelerators, Scale AI’s program is promoting the growth of startups and small businesses, while also supporting the development of emerging global AI leaders here in Canada.” 

— Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“It’s highly encouraging to see the energy and vitality of the AI ecosystem in action,” adds Julien Billot, Scale AI’s CEO. “The entire network of incubators and accelerators is committed to creating and developing links between AI start-ups and the business community. By activating this chain of innovation, at all stages of the company development, we fully realize our mission of economic leverage, the benefits of which will  be measured over the years and decades to come.” 

Hélène Desmarais, Co-Chair of the Scale AI Board of Directors, points out: “Canada was a pioneer in AI start-ups, but now other countries offer their own programs. To stay ahead and keep the pipeline strong, we must run faster. Our main competition is the Californian Bay Area, where the ecosystem is efficient at making startups move faster by providing growth and scale-up support services to smaller companies. The goal of Scale AI’s Acceleration program is to encourage our startups to get the right mentorship. It will support a wide number of high-potential startups in accelerating their growth and, by doing so, support the emergence of the future AI giants, rising from Canada’s strong AI ecosystem.” 

“The goal of Scale AI’s Acceleration program is to encourage our startups to get the right mentorship. It will support a wide number of high-potential startups in accelerating their growth and, by doing so, support the emergence of the future AI giants, rising from Canada’s strong AI ecosystem.” 

— Hélène Desmarais, Co-Chair of the Scale AI Board of Directors

This partnership between Scale AI and incubators and accelerators throughout Canada makes it possible to leverage each one’s strengths for the benefit of start-ups. 

In this regard, the head of several incubators and accelerators that are partners in the program mention:

• Richard Chénier, general manager of Centech (Montreal): “We are at the forefront of supporting the growth of innovation projects, and Scale AI’s commitment allows us to go even further to support start-ups specifically in the AI sector.” 
• Yung Wu, CEO, MaRS (Ontario): ”Supporting start-ups is about much more than just funding. It is an approach to stage-based mentoring and connection with the  business community that transforms ideas and technologies in high growth scale stage companies and that, ultimately, enables the emergence of new leaders in  the global innovation economy.” 
• Cam Linke, CEO Amii (Edmonton): “ Across Canada, there is talent emerging that speaks to our ability to innovate and stand out in an increasingly competitive environment. Proactive partnerships such as the one developed with Scale AI  contribute to giving us the means to achieve our ambitions. ” 

The Scale AI Acceleration program is aimed at the emergence and growth of start-ups and SMEs specializing in artificial intelligence for supply chains in Canada, by expanding the reach and scope of the incubators and accelerators that are the key to their success.  

Program details and lists of certified incubators and accelerators can be found here.

See press release