FALL 2025
Alberta Innovates Accelerator powered by 500 Global
An accelerator program designed with the shared vision of strengthening Alberta as a global hub for tech innovation.
Empowering founders with the tools, mentorship, and network needed to scale their startups and drive economic growth in the region.
Program dates will be announced soon, join our interest form below.
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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 Alberta. The Alberta Accelerator program focuses on growth and scaling, and is a non-investment program.
Batch 7 of the program will welcome up to 20 startups, in Calgary, 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.
This cohort will also feature the launch of our Immersion Week, offering founders an exclusive opportunity to connect with a new tech ecosystem, build global networks, and drive their startups toward international growth.
Date
Location
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
- Have a strong, coachable team
- Are based in Alberta or looking to land and expand in Alberta
The program offers founders
Bespoke programming
Coaching and mentorship
500 Community
Here's what you can expect
This program runs for 12 weeks, with 4 weeks of in-person delivery and 8 weeks online.
Please note that program dates will be shared soon.
Pre-Program
Application Process
The program 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.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Phase 0 [Online]
Intro to the Program
Week 1
Designed to set the stage for success, including goal setting, meeting the mentors, and diving into Thinkific courses tailored for foundational learning. Founders engage in practice pitches to refine their delivery and complete essential pre-work to prepare for the weeks ahead.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Phase 1 [In-Person]
Foundations of Growth
Week 2-3
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.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Phase 2 [Virtual]
Customer Discovery
Week 4 - 9
Growth experiments, customer interviews, and weekly 1:1 meetings with mentors from 500 Global’s extensive network across industries.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Phase 3: [In-Person]
Investor Readiness & Graduation
Week 10 - 12
Startups will learn to craft effective pitches, prepare investor readiness materials like data rooms, and develop fundraising strategies. The program culminates in graduation events, where founders will showcase their progress and network with key partners, ecosystem stakeholders and venture community members.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
FALL/WINTER 2025
Alberta Innovates Accelerator Immersion Week
As part of the program, participants will visit one of 500 Global's international offices to explore a new market and connect with key players such as venture community members, industry partners, and local startups.
Attendance is mandatory and a key step toward graduation. This week is designed to enhance your accelerator experience and support your startup’s growth and global impact through curated connections.
Please note: There are costs associated with the Immersion Week trip, please check the FAQ section.
Program statistics
As of November 15, 2024
98
88
2,157
advisory sessions (1:1 office hours)
This program is conducted in English.
The mentors are drawn from 500 Global's network of industry experts and corporate industry leaders.
Applications for Batch 7 of the program don't currently have a deadline.
The program will last 12 weeks.
Early-stage startups looking to scale in Alberta. Both local and international startups are encouraged to apply. Startups should have tech-enabled solutions that may span across different industries and sectors.
In addition to the founders, two additional team members per company will be allowed to participate at any given time. The CEO and founders are expected to participate in all of the program activities and sessions.
Two members per startup are permitted to participate in the Immersion Week. Please note that the two participating members will be sharing one room for accommodations.
Applications will be reviewed by a dedicated team from 500 Global. Unfortunately, we may not be able to provide feedback to every team that applies.
No, this is not an investment program.
Yes absolutely! We always recommend founders to apply even if they haven’t been successful in the past.
This program is amazing. This is the first time that I have been in a training program where I have not been hesitant to ask questions - it has been encouraged. The mentors are so incredibly skilled at nudging you towards the right direction without ever making you feel stupid. I am so grateful to be able to learn from all the mentors and I’m amazed at how they are all willing to so freely share their knowledge with us and genuinely want to help our businesses.
Marcie Hawranik (Batch 5)
Founder at Equality 360
Disclaimer
THIS PROGRAM IS OPERATED BY 500 ECOSYSTEMS CANADA, INC. (TOGETHER WITH ITS AFFILIATES, “500 GLOBAL”) AND THE FUNDS ADVISED BY 500 STARTUPS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.L.C. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY REVENUE GENERATED BY THESE ACTIVITIES. SUCH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY CONTENT PROVIDED AS PART OF ANY SUCH PROGRAMS, SERVICES OR EVENTS BE CONSTRUED AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL, TAX OR ACCOUNTING ADVICE BY 500 GLOBAL OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES (INCLUDING INVESTMENT ADVICE AS DEFINED IN THE U.S. INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940). THIS WEBSITE IS INTENDED SOLELY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING 500 GLOBAL AND THE STATED PROGRAM. ALL CONTENT PROVIDED IN THIS WEBSITE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. 500 GLOBAL MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE ACCURACY OR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE AND WHILE 500 GLOBAL HAS TAKEN REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE IS ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE, NO LIABILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERROR OR OMISSIONS. THIS WEBSITE IS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 2024. THIS IS A NON-INVESTMENT PROGRAM, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE OR GUARANTEE AN INVESTMENT FROM 500 GLOBAL, ALBERTA INNOVATES, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. HOWEVER, PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM DOES NOT PRECLUDE 500 GLOBAL AND ITS AFFILIATES FROM CONSIDERING FUTURE INVESTMENTS IN A PARTICIPATING COMPANY.
