Planet Hatch, Fredericton’s entrepreneurship centre, has accepted four companies into the latest cohort of its Export Igniter program, which helps participants to scale in foreign markets.

The fourth cohort of the program, which has already graduated 15 Fredericton-area companies, began Jan. 21 with an official kick-off at Planet Hatch.

"We are very excited about the companies participating in this year's program," said Planet Hatch Program Coordinator Hannahbelle Weaver in a statement. "Each offers unique products or services with significant growth potential in identified export markets."

The participating companies in the latest cohort are:

Upfront Cosmetics – This company is creating eco-friendly, plastic-free alternatives to traditional hair-care products. Its solid shampoo and conditioner bars are pH balanced and free from sulphates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Each bar can replace two to three bottles of traditional products.

Scottage Cheeze – This company produces a variety of vegan dips, spreads and cheeses that are completely free of dairy products, gluten, and peanuts.

TailWind – Tailwind has developed a secure, all-in-one tokenization platform that allows startups to easily raise investment for their ideas. It is a blockchain-enabled artificial intelligence platform. The company’s founders aim to democratize access to capital using the power of blockchain.

Parrill & Co. – Parrill is a licensed performance-improvement firm that works with executives and organizations to realize more of their potential. The firm’s leadership development programs aim to enhance individual performance, increase leadership awareness, and produce measurable business results.

Three of these companies recently went through University of New Brunswick accelerators. Upfront Cosmetics and Scottage Cheeze attended last year’s Summer Institute, while Tailwind went through Energia Ventures.

Export Igniter aims to help growth-stage companies navigate the complexities of international business and break into new markets. Over 12 weeks, participants engage in workshops, mentorship, and resources.

They are also paired with a team of undergraduate students from the UNB’s Faculty of Management who undertake market research and develop an export strategy. Planet Hatch said the program graduates leave ready to tackle new markets with a comprehensive export and sales strategy.

"Export Igniter is a unique and impactful program for pre-export companies in Atlantic Canada," said Planet Hatch Director Adam Peabody. "Eighty-five percent of our graduates from the first three cohorts are now exporting with growing sales, creating over twenty new jobs in the process. We aim to help this year's cohort achieve similar levels of success."