Virtual startup accelerator Propel has announced the companies participating in its Vision and Validation program for very early-stage founders.

Nova Scotia companies have made a particularly strong showing, comprising eight of the 14 participants, with four hailing from New Brunswick and two from Prince Edward Island.

The program focuses on teaching new entrepreneurs how to validate their business ideas and follow “lean startup” methodology — a business strategy that emphasizes flexibility and low overhead costs — in preparation for Propel’s other, more advanced programming.

“This is a pivotal and exciting time for these companies as they embark on the process of determining the viability and future prospects for their technology,” said Propel CEO Kathryn Lockhart in a statement.

“It’s an important and absolutely fundamental stage in the startup trajectory – and we take great pride in getting these founders on a path to success.”

Here’s a look at the participating companies:

M.U.L.E.
Nova Scotia
Mike MacDonald and Bruno Ruffinengo
M.U.L.E. makes innovative ladder and roofing equipment, particularly for the solar panel industry.

Piixel Media Corporation
Nova Scotia
Odum Idika
Piixel sells technology for building websites using content management system Webflow.

XO Technology
Nova Scotia
John Wang
XO is developing a wearable device to monitor neurological and orthopedic health in seniors.

PathVisor
P.E.I.
Nooshin Abedi
PathVisor is an EdTech platform focused on offering personalized guidance and encouraging collaboration between students.

World Buddy Travel
P.E.I.
Christopher Marlow and Jake Marlow
WorldBuddy is an app that curates travel recommendations personalized for the user.

DCOACH
New Brunswick
Amanjot Singh, Dishant Kumar, Kenneth Kent and Simarjot Singh
DCOACH is developing artifical intelligence tools for client management, with a focus on the gym and fitness coaching market.

Move-In Housing
New Brunswick
Kevin Abraham, Abhilash Sharma and Garrett Travis
Move-In is a software-as-a-service platform that helps users, particularly students, find roommates in a vetted marketplace.

Atrio Sports
Nova Scotia
Josh Branchflower
Atrio Sports is an online platform for coaches, sports facilities, parents and athletes to network and make bookings.

CraveMe
New Brunswick
Vimal kumar Parthasarathy
CraveMe is developing a platform to help restaurants streamline their processes and gain data-driven insights about their business.

Amayla Biotechnology
Nova Scotia
Nathalia Florez
Amayla is developing clean, vegan and high yield fermentation technology for the clean beauty industry.

Stellar RHL
Nova Scotia
Gary Stairs
Originally founded as Red Hot Learning in 2002, Stellar is the parent company of several brands that blend interactive media, location-based technology and games to help organizations and students perform better.

Delivico
Nova Scotia
Austin Plemel and Woobin Chong
Delivico is a convenience retailer that delivers products, such as groceries and snacks, directly to customers in minutes. 

PROC-X
Nova Scotia
Deepan Nandi
Proc-X is a business-to-business software-as-a-service procurements platform that incorporates generative AI.

Bubbles Haircare for Kids
New Brunswick
Alex Weaver Crawford
Bubbles is a “concept salon” catering exclusively to children.