The TME group at University of New Brunswick has opened applications for the 2021 cohort of its Summer Institute, an accelerator that focuses on social impact more than innovation.

Whereas most accelerators teach lean methodology and product development for young innovation-driven companies, the Summer Institute is looking for companies that will benefit the community or environment. It focuses more on such elements as design, marketing and personal development. Many participants are from sectors other than IT, cleantech or life sciences, and many companies are developing consumer products.

UNB TME – the common name for the J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology, Management and Entrepreneurship – will accept five to seven companies into the Fredericton-based program, which will run from April 27 to July 16.

“For years, The Summer Institute has been working to help early-stage companies with a big vision that encompasses more than just the bottom line, and we’re happy to be launching our next search for great people with great ideas,” said Summer Institute Managing Director Joe Allen. “We look for early-stage ventures that want to make a social impact, as well as an impact to their bottom line.  This is our eighth cohort and every year we get a wonderful array of people keen to do amazing things and we expect the same this year.”

See also our recent coverage of Summer Institute alum Educated Beards.

The university said in a statement that successful applicants will receive stipends for living expenses, prototyping grants, access to downtown workspace, and programming aimed at developing sustainable and profitable companies.

The Summer Institute has helped launch over 43 companies since its first cohort in 2014.  It is a member of the Global Accelerator Network, an invitation-only community of the world’s most respected organizations that provide startups with resources to create and grow their businesses.

You can find more information and application details here. The deadline for applying is Feb. 28.