Accelerator Centre welcomes 23 startups into the new UN Sustainable Development Cohort of AC:Studio
Selected startups will receive up to $100,000 in seed funding and work with the AC and innovation partners from CarbonGraph, Conestoga College, SnapPea Design, WEtech Alliance, to launch, grow, and scale Ontario-made solutions that drive both economic growth and the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
July 3, 2025 — Waterloo, ON - The Accelerator Centre (AC) is proud to announce the 23 startups selected to join Cohort 2 of the AC:Studio program. Supported by $3.9M in funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Cohort supports early-stage startups focused on sustainable technologies that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing key global challenges while contributing to regional economic growth.
Each selected company will receive up to $100,000 in seed funding, tactical product development support, marketing and UI/UX assistance, 1:1 mentorship, and access to a network of freelance experts to accelerate their path to market.
“We are beyond excited to welcome this dynamic group of 23 startups into the AC:Studio program. Each of these companies brings a bold vision and a deep commitment to solving a critical global challenge. Through the strength of our ecosystem, and in partnership with leading organizations across southern Ontario, we’re committed to helping these founders scale their innovations faster to drive economic growth throughout southern Ontario and beyond—and to make lasting global change.” — Ruth Casselman, CEO, Accelerator Centre
“Congratulations to the bold and visionary founders selected for the UN Sustainable Development Cohort of AC:Studio. These 23 startups aren’t just launching companies. They are tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges head-on. From climate action to global equity, they are turning ambition into action. Our government is proud to back this new wave of Canadian innovators as they transform big ideas into meaningful, real-world impact.” — The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
The program focuses on the UN SDG’s bringing a mission-driven focus to the AC:Studio model. Its collaborative approach also brings together a diverse group of startups from across southern Ontario’s innovation hubs, with representation from the AC’s existing portfolio and from partner hubs including Altitude Accelerator, Boundless Accelerator, Communitech, Innovation Factory, Velocity, and WEtech Alliance, reflecting a wide range of sectors, technologies, and impact areas.
Trends among Cohort 2
The selected companies represent a broad range of impact areas and emerging innovation trends:
Clean tech and renewables
Health and patient care innovation
AI and robotics for accessibility and inclusion
Circular economy and sustainable infrastructure Smart cities, mobility, and climate resilience
The following companies have been selected for the new AC:Studio Cohort 2:
ArcticEdge Technologies
Asima Health Inc.
Cyberworks Robotics
elerGreen
Faradix
Flutter Care Inc.
FractalEV
Gibbly
GrownStone
HyC Light
Innovate-Ops Inc.
Innovia GEO Corp.
Jitto
LandLogic
Material Futures
PatientCompanion
REPWR
Steadiwear Inc
Swish Solar
Telica
Upliv Global Inc.
Wygo
Xatoms
About the Accelerator Centre
At the AC, we exist to help ambitious dreamers impact global change through their businesses. The AC is ranked Canada’s #1 private business accelerator and is among the top five such organizations globally. We offer an extensive selection of customizable opportunities for startups across Canada—allowing founders to rapidly bring their innovation to life. We work with our global partners to bolster the innovation ecosystem in Waterloo and beyond.
About FedDev Ontario
For over 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impact the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
Media Contacts
Tabatha Laverty
Chief Operating Officer
Accelerator Centre
[email protected]
Cindy Caturao
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
[email protected]