10 findings on the entrepreneurial support ecosystem from AcceleratorFest

photo credit: ©merrylblavoie

1. mental health of contractors and program managers

Canadian incubators and accelerators should prioritize mental health by creating spaces and times dedicated to these initiatives. Helping entrepreneurs take a step back - and understand its importance - and effectively manage their workload is a key step towards a healthy balance between work and well-being.

2. global scale-up and cross-border expansion

leveraging AI to create precise customer personas (e.g. a German buyer in the aerospace sector) and conduct in-depth, accessible market research can bring significant value to Canadian incubators and accelerators in their coaching. emphasizing a customer-centric approach to help startups navigate the complexities of cross-border expansion, making their global scaling efforts more efficient and focused.

3. intellectual property for global domination

Incubators and accelerators need to help startups change their mindset so that they see intellectual property as a vital tool in their growth. Support professionals need to equip startups with the tools and knowledge they need to understand and use intellectual property effectively, ensuring that they integrate IP considerations from the very start of their business development process.

photo credit: ©merrylblavoie

4. investment readiness and pre-seed financing

Incubators and accelerators need to help founders identify their ambitions and the best avenues for funding - which may not be venture capital (!) - and help them write a compelling story that highlights their team's credibility, ambition and long-term vision in order to attract investors. In addition, coaches need to emphasize the importance of being ready to scale up quickly and having a clear plan for reaching milestones.

5. innovation and disruptive technologies

supporting industry-specific accelerators and exploring alternative sources of funding can be very beneficial for startups in specific niches. incubators should encourage startups to focus on identifying real customer needs and solving meaningful problems, rather than creating technologies for themselves. this approach ensures that innovations are driven by market demands and are more likely to succeed.

6. relations with public authorities

understanding procurement processes and building strong relationships with government entities is essential. incubators and accelerators can work together to improve government relationships and policies, making it easier for startups to navigate this complex world, where everything comes down to human relationships. teach startups the importance of knowing the procurement vehicles and decision-making processes of politicians to better position their products and services.

photo credit: ©merrylblavoie

7. community and cohort involvement

clearly explain the value that incubators and accelerators bring to cohorts, alumni and mentors. foster multi-level engagement strategies that highlight the contributions of all stakeholders. engage alumni and mentors by highlighting their expertise and ensuring that their participation adds value for both them and the community.

8. collaboration within the Canadian ecosystem

Building trust and collaboration between organizations is key to strengthening Canada's national ecosystem. Incubators and accelerators should encourage resource sharing and a collective approach to startup support, to position Canada as a world leader in innovation. finally, promote the vocabulary "our startups " instead of "my startups " in communications to foster a more united and supportive ecosystem.

9. accelerator performance indicators

identify and measure key success indicators beyond traditional metrics to get real value from what the startup is doing. improve data collection from alumni through simplified forms and ongoing monitoring. share best practices and tools for effective data collection, such as using platforms like Airtable integrated with AI to generate insightful reports.

10. digital transformation and automation

using tools such as HubSpot, Salesforce or Airtable to track operations from onboarding to onboarding is crucial to efficiency. incubators and accelerators should effectively manage change and integrate generative AI to improve operational efficiency and community building. leverage AI to support content distribution and streamline processes, ensuring that digital transformation efforts are aligned with hub size and needs.

photo credit: ©merrylblavoie

Galvanized by the rich discussions, Acceleratofest participants felt the call of collective wisdom and the spirit of innovation within our community. It's with this in mind that we hope to continue the conversation in the Cercle des professionnels.le.s de l'accompagnement entrepreneurial - where we now number nearly 350 people.

And if you'd like to put an X on Canada's next summer gathering of the startup world, tickets for Startupfest 2025 are now available. Reserve your place early to make sure you're part of the conversation next year!