Spark Innovation Centre is pleased to announce the summer winners of its first every Youth Accelerator Program. The organization is also pleased to announce that applications are now open for its Fall Youth Accelerator Program.
With the first cohort in the Summer Youth Accelerator Program coming to a close, participating companies were invited to take part in the Finale Pitch Presentation on August 11th in Oshawa, Ontario. The finale had 11 post-secondary student companies giving a 3 minute investment pitch on the businesses they have been building over the summer.
The Youth Accelerator Program saw 20 student companies spend four months over the summer receiving hands on advisory services, free office space at The Loft in Oshawa and seed financing from both the local university and college. Of the 20 companies, 11 qualified for the Finale Pitch Presentation.
The overall finale winner was Henlen Watches, who were selected by a panel of judges as our $2,500 Youth Accelerator Program Winner. Henlen Watches created an interchangeable smartwatch that allows for a smart component to be swapable throughout various designs and styles of watches.
The 20 participating student companies, more than 35 students, also participated in a cumulative points competition throughout the four months and Spark Centre announced Ideal Compass and Henlen Watches as the two $1,000 winners.
“We’ve learned so much in Spark Centre’s Youth Accelerator Program,” said Kyle George, CEO of Henlen Watches. “We are thrilled to have won the pitch competition, and are looking forward to working with Spark Centre more in the future to advance our business”
“Spark Centre’s first Youth Accelerator has been an incredible experience for both the students, the advisory team, and our local partners,” said Braden Kemp, Director of Client Services at Spark Centre. “These young entrepreneurs came in with ideas, and many are exiting the program with revenue generating ventures, angel investment, and a deep understanding of what it takes to be an entrepreneur. We’re excited to announce the winners of the final pitch competition, Henlen Watches, and look forward to helping them enter the market this fall.”
Applications for the Fall Youth Accelerator Program will be open next week at www.sparkcentre.org.
