The MERGE Program at Fredericton startup hub Planet Hatch has received $294,250 in support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

MERGE has been set up by the Fredericton area economic development agency IGNITE and Planet Hatch to connect startups with municipalities within the Capital Region of New Brunswick to identify opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration. The aim is to create a business ecosystem that supports both community and business growth.

Startups that participate will receive mentorship, business support, and project funding of up to $25,000.  MERGE will accommodate a cohort of five participants for one year. Startups and municipalities will work together to address the identified issues, with ongoing support from the program. 

“By merging municipal insight with entrepreneurial expertise, MERGE aims to generate meaningful, sustainable outcomes that benefit the community as a whole, enhancing economic growth and providing opportunity for our startups,” said Andrew Lockhart, Director of Entrepreneurial & Economic Growth at Ignite in a press release.

The first phase of the program is already implemented. Municipalities have submitted Expressions of Interest outlining key issues in their communities that they wish to address.

Five projects have been selected and Ignite will soon issue a Request for Proposals to startups. Over the next few months, the municipalities will be matched with startups to initiate their projects.

Throughout the cohort period, municipalities will have access to Planet Hatch’s full range of programming and support services.