LaunchDal has accepted a diverse range of early-stage companies into this summer's LaunchPad Accelerator. The 10-week program provides each team with $10,000 and the resources to launch and grow their ventures.
Offered by the Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship at Dalhousie University, the program is now in its fifth year.
“Being accepted into the Launch Pad Accelerator means validation,” said Michael Boyd the Founder of Podcast Atlantic. “It means that this idea has merit and that there is keen interest, and I look forward to working with other entrepreneurs and to being mentored by the business persons I will meet over the next 10 weeks.”
Past graduates of the LaunchPad accelerator include Graphene Innovations & Technologies, Axem Neurotech, and TripNinja.
The program has helped launch over 100 ventures which have produced nearly 800 jobs and have raised $20 million over the past five years.
The 2018 companies are:
A Software-as-a-Service mental health solution that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on a platform that is affordable, timely, stigma-free, personal and accessible. Users will be able to schedule sessions with coaches trained in CBT. Tranquility Online was also a pitching company at the Volta Cohort.
Automation experts at IObIO Inc have partnered with clinical research to build a medical data capturing platform (called the BioBox), for a wide range of applications. One specific focus is the disruption of the clinical auditory diagnosis space.IObIO hopes to make an impact in bio-electrical diagnosis and assessment sectors. Read our previous coverage on IObIO.
ColourSmith Labs is creating the world’s first contact lenses that saturate colours, allowing users to unlock a new level of beauty and utility in vision. ColourSmith Labs will implement the technology of sunglasses already on the market into their contact lenses to conceal the fact that individuals are treating a vision condition. The contact lenses will be available to customers via a monthly subscription at an affordable price point. ColourSmith won $25,000 at the Volta Cohort last month.
Neuro-Amel
This company is making an automated brace that uses electrical stimulation to help retrain muscles for individuals who have experienced a stroke. The goal is to create a slim and elegant brace to help restore confidence, independence and mobility to stroke survivors. The sleeve will contain built in sensors to sense muscle activity that can then stimulate the muscles using safe levels of electric current. This method is highly researched and found to be very effective in stroke rehabilitation and pain management.
Kavi
Inspired by deficiencies in the mining industry and offshore drilling processes, Kavi Technology works to improve the accuracy of detecting materials brought to the surface using visual recognition and machine learning technology. Kavi Technology will provide efficiencies and cost savings for the mining industry that result in improved prediction of incidence of minerals, oil, and gas concentration.
A growing online convenience store serving a large portion of HRM. Room Service will offer quick delivery of products you would find at a traditional convenience store such as ice cream, snacks, frozen meals and milk, as well as supplies for coffee shops and small businesses.
iLokol
An Internet company working on making it possible for customers to shop locally online in a faster and cheaper way. iLokol will provide services to Chinese newcomers to help them adapt to life in Halifax better and faster, and work with service providers in the city by allowing them to open their virtual stores on the iLokol app for free.
Aurea is creating a wind turbine system designed for the natural wind tunnels around high rises. The system can be retrofitted onto existing structures or installed during construction and, when paired with an energy storage system, has the potential to run a building entirely off-grid. Read about our previous coverage of Aurea.
(Disclosure: Cat Adalay, the CEO of Aurea, is the daughter of Entrevestor's owners.)
Speakr
Speakr is a digital platform that uses face recognition and machine learning technologies to help people communicate more effectively. The platform analyzes an individual’s voice and provides feedback based on data to help improve speaking skills.
Podcast Atlantic
A directory of Atlantic Canadian produced podcasts and a production company for those looking for a simple solution to creating their own podcast. Podcast Atlantic will act as a tool for collaboration in connecting podcasts across the region, an avenue for sponsorship, and a one stop shop for anyone looking to launch, produce or promote a podcast in Atlantic Canada.
Disclosure: Dalhousie University is a client of Entrevestor.
