There’s an unlikely alliance forming between the startup communities in Halifax and Las Vegas, as witnessed by two Halifax companies attending an accelerator in the southern city.

The cities, about 4,400 kilometres apart, are obviously very different in mindset and climate, but The Mill accelerator has featured Halifax companies in each of its first two cohorts. And there is talk of a deepening relationship between support groups in the two cities.

The second cohort of The Mill’s Startup Accelerator opens this week, and the five companies include two that have worked out of Volta Labs in Halifax: Vendeve, headed by Katelyn Bourgoin, has developed an online marketplace where professional and freelance women can find customers; and Addo, headed by Moses Robicheau, has a platform that helps organizations encourage physical activity and good health among their members.

The first cohort included Zora, co-founded by Milan Vrekic and Colin White, which helps landlords vet tenants and manage their properties. Vrekic is the former executive director of Volta.

“The Mill offers a great opportunity to make connections outside the region and an opportunity to meet potential investors when we present at demo day,” Bourgoin said.

Like all accelerators, The Mill Startup Accelerator aims to help young companies grow their business and hopefully gain their first customers. Participants receive US$22,000 (C$29,000) from the VegasTechFund (which set up the accelerator), office space and a three-month program of classes, mentoring and the opportunity to pitch to investors.

There are two facets of the program that appeal to Bourgoin and others. First, the accelerator stresses customer service, which means the companies that enter the program are driven to develop systems to ensure their clients are happy with their product. It’s an essential — and often overlooked — facet of growing a business.

Second, Las Vegas is a few hours’ drive from Silicon Valley, but it avoids the excessive costs of the San Francisco area. Bourgoin believes it is an affordable avenue into the world’s biggest tech market.

“This is a significant opportunity, which will give us direct access to not only the U.S. market in terms of potential clients, but also mentors and investors,” said Robicheau. “We plan to raise $1 million. This accelerator puts us in great position to do just that, as clients, mentors and investors will play a big part in that process.”

The developing ties with The Mill are just the latest evidence that companies in the region are taking advantage of accelerators based in the U.S. Yves Boudreau, the CEO of Moncton-based recruitment startup Qimple, spent much of the past winter at 500 Startups in San Francisco. Last week, sports medicine databank developer Kinduct announced it had been accepted into the L.A. Dodgers accelerator, a program for sports- and arts-related startups. And a range of companies work with the Canadian Technology Accelerator program operated by the Canadian consular services in San Francisco, Boston and New York.