Propel ICT, Atlantic Canada’s IT startup accelerator, has announced the first round of companies selected to its Growth program,  which aims to help established innovation companies grow more quickly.

Veteran technology executive Stephen Palmer, who was formerly the Co-CEO at Fredericton-based Remsoft, has customized the six-month program to meet the specific needs of its participants.

The eight entrants include companies that have graduated from accelerators in in the U.S. For example, Moncton-based Alongside is a graduate of the 500 Startups accelerator in Silicon Valley, and Eosense of Dartmouth went through the Surge Ventures accelerator in Houston.  

The selected companies are:

• Alongside, Moncton – a maker of digital recruitment tools.

• BASE Engineering, Saint John – a developer of radio remote control technology for the petroleum industry.

• Eosense, Dartmouth – a maker of instruments to detect gases escaping from the ground.

• Ironflow Technologies, Dieppe, N.B. – a maker of web-based human resources software.

• Lixar, Halifax and Ottawa – mobile transportation technology in air, auto, telco and emerging new technology markets.

• Luminultra, Fredericton -- microbiological testing in any industry concerned with water.

• PLATO Testing, Fredericton -- building a network of Aboriginal software testers.

• RtTech, Moncton – a provider of IIoT apps for downtime tracking, asset management, and energy management software solutions.

The Growth program offers intensive workshops, monthly online meetings, one-on-one mentoring sessions with technology leaders, and access to Propel ICT’s speaker series and bootcamps. The participants will also be offered the opportunity to take part in showcase events in Canadian and international markets.

12 Teams in Breakthru Semi-Finals

“The Growth program is focused on helping already successful businesses reach the next level,” said Propel CEO Anita Punamiya in a statement. “Participants will learn from each other and from business leaders in Atlantic Canada and who have faced similar business challenges and found innovative ways to succeed.”

Propel ICT also offers two other programs: Launch for new technology businesses; and Build for established but early-stage companies. Applications for these programs will be open until Jan. 31 and can be found here.