Propel ICT, Atlantic Canada’s regional startup accelerator, has named veteran entrepreneurs Richard Jones and Charlotte Rydlund to its team as entrepreneurs-in-residence.

These entrepreneurs have experience in business-to-business enterprises and will strengthen the mentorship in the field at a time when the startup world appears to be focusing more to industrial applications than consumer products. Between the two of them, they have more than 40 years of experience in the business world.

The move comes days after the accelerator held its latest Demo Day in Halifax, and opened applications for its next cohort. The applications, which can be found here, will be open until Jan. 13.

“With more than 200 people in attendance and 11 companies pitching, there is strong evidence of the vibrancy of the Atlantic Canadian startup ecosystem,” Propel CEO Anita Punamiya said in a statement, referring to Demo Day. 

Based in Fredericton, Jones will bring extensive experience in the Industrial Internet of Things to the Propel organization. He has served as CEO of both Eigen Innovations and Shift Energy, two of the most promising IIoT outfits in the region.

Rydlund, who lives in Halifax, is the CEO of PACTA, which automates the management of contract for big companies. In May, it was one of 11 Canadian companies invited to pitch at the Google Demo Day at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

“We couldn't be happier to bring their experience and talent to the team,” said Punamiya.