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September 19, 2018

Start-Up Yard at COVE - Call for Second Cohort

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The Start-Up Yard at COVE - Call for Second Cohort is now open for applications. Are you an early stage ocean technology company? Are you looking for the ideal location and resources to accelerate your business growth? Start-Up Yard at COVE may be the place for you! The deadline to apply to be part of the second cohort at Start-Up Yard at COVE is Friday, October 5, 2018. Interested start-ups must apply using our APPLICATION FORM. To apply, start-ups must submit the completed application form online. Cohort participants receive $25,000 in non-dilutive funding and access to mentoring, workspace, workshops and experts. Below are highlights about the opportunity. Read about the companies selected to participate in the first cohort at Start-Up Yard at COVE.

ABOUT START-UP YARD AT COVE

Start-Up Yard is the incubation facility at COVE. It helps early stage companies commercialize their ocean technologies and succeed in the global marketplace. It offers programs, incubation space and services, funding, shared equipment, expertise and mentoring. Start-Up Yard is more than infrastructure and other resources. It is a community – an environment with a strong innovation culture that lets start-ups engage with like-minded entrepreneurs and organizations that can help them grow. It also partners with post-secondary institutions to help drive commercialization of ocean technologies. Start-Up Yard is targeting the following sectors:

  • Energy
  • Marine transportation
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Marine defence and security
  • Marine tourism

ABOUT THE COHORT OFFERING

Cohort participants will receive $25,000 in non-dilutive funding. We anticipate five companies will be selected for the second cohort. The program fee is $5,000. The cohort will have access to our incubation facility and services, including office space at Start-Up Yard at COVE until March 31, 2019, internet access, consultancy services (e.g., legal, marketing, etc.) and water access. Participants will also benefit from mentoring, business guidance, networking opportunities, and the chance to pitch/demo their venture. Program curriculum topics include:

  • lean start-up
  • market research, customer discovery
  • product-market fit
  • business model development
  • product development
  • intellectual property
  • sales
  • investment readiness and pitches

Get details about the opportunity in the Call for Second Cohort INFO KIT.

ELIGIBILITY

Entrants must be a start-up based in Nova Scotia and must be pre-revenue or in-market with sales of less than $1 million per year. Past participants of Innovacorp programs (e.g., Demo at Sea, ESCF, etc.) may apply. Founders agree to participate in the program, which includes monthly milestone meetings. The company will locate at Start-Up Yard at COVE, 27 Parker Street, Dartmouth. Eligibility details can be found in the Call for Second Cohort INFO KIT.

HOW DO I ENTER?

The call for our second Start-Up Yard at COVE cohort is now open! The deadline to apply for the second cohort is Friday, October 5, at 11:59 pm ADT. To apply, interested start-ups must submit a completed application form online. NOTE: Companies may locate at Start-Up Yard at COVE without being part of the cohort. Desk fees are $300/month. All Start-Up Yard companies need to participate in regular milestone and founder meetings.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All submissions will be treated confidentially and will not be made available to the public. Only those directly involved in managing or judging the competition will view submitted documents. While summary details will not be disclosed, the competition organizers reserve the right to announce those who advance to subsequent competition rounds.

QUESTIONS?

Questions can be directed to Kyle Burton, Start-Up Yard at COVE, Innovacorp, at 902.424.8674 ext. 1406, 1.800.565.7051 ext. 1406, or kburton@innovacorp.ca.

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