London, ON. November 8, 2024 – Today, MPP Steve Pinsonneault, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Rural Affairs, announced the launch of the Rural GROW Accelerator at TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario headquartered in London, ON. Funded in part by the Ontario Government through the Rural Economic Development Program, TechAlliance will deliver Rural GROW, a no-cost accelerator for innovative or technology ventures to scale their business and enhance economic development in the counties of Elgin, Huron, Lambton, Oxford, and Middlesex.
A place for dreamers and innovators, TechAlliance empowers world-class companies and founders in the Southwestern Ontario region through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. We fuel growth for high-potential businesses with entrepreneurship education, networks and community experiences, while supporting access to risk capital, new customers and tech talent.
Poised to remove barriers to economic productivity and prosperity by fostering a supportive ecosystem and sustainable growth across Southwestern Ontario, the Rural GROW Accelerator brings bespoke business advisory through leading industry experts and collaborators. By addressing gaps in areas such as sales, intellectual property, marketing, operations, and finance, over 12 weeks, the Accelerator will empower founders and their teams to seize opportunities and navigate growth challenges with confidence and resilience, alongside other like-minded founders.
“Unlocking the potential of rural-founded companies, while driving economic vitality is essential,” shares Christina Fox, CEO of TechAlliance. “Operating as the lead voice of technology founders across Southwestern Ontario, we are thrilled to facilitate Rural GROW Accelerator. This accelerator is a critical investment for made-in-Ontario startups and scaling tech companies, and for the future of competitive and diverse rural economies and the broader Canadian innovation ecosystem.”
“Our government is partnering to providing resources that small towns can use to amplify their strengths,” said Lisa M Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “This is critical to keeping local businesses alive while increasing economic growth. Today, our government is funding TechAlliance $115,900 for a Rural Grow Accelerator. This 12-week program will help rural businesses go from startups to full-scale operations. Another successful moment for rural Ontario.”
TechAlliance invites innovative businesses in the counties of Elgin, Oxford, Middlesex, Lambton, and Huron to enhance their visibility within the innovation economy. Attend an information session with our Venture Growth Advisors to learn about Rural GROW Accelerator and the application process. Applications for Rural GROW Accelerator close on November 29, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Farida Abdelnabi
Communications Manager
TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario
647.676.2461
farida.abdelnabi@techalliance.ca