Fredericton-based accelerator Energia Ventures is seeking applications for its third cohort from companies in the smart-grid, energy, cleantech, and cybersecurity sectors.

The program will run from Sept. 14 to Dec. 9, culminating in the demo day in which participants will pitch their businesses and display their products. As well as mentoring, programming and business support, participants will receive funding to help develop their startups.

“Energia offers companies in their early-adopter stage mentorship, training, support and access to investors to accelerate their business,” Joe Allen, the Managing Director for Accelerators at the University of New Brunswick’s J. Herbert Smith Centre, said in a statement.

“We realize that COVID-19 has made a challenging new environment, but we anticipate that life will be back to a semblance of normal by September.  The end goal is to create stable, high-growth potential companies worthy of venture capital investments on a compressed timeline.”

The program, which grew out of UNB’s Technology Management and Entrepreneurship program, is provided at no cost. Successful applicants are instead provided seed funding in exchange for an equity position in their startups.

The program will operate in Fredericton, so participants need to be based in the city during that time. Energia can help locate accommodations, and assist with visas for any international applicants. The program in the past has accepted applicants from as far away as Israel and California. 

Anyone interested in applying can do so here by May 15.