Arlene Dickinson's accelerator announces its Demo Day roster
CALGARY, June 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Arlene Dickinson's national accelerator for food, beverage and health companies, District Ventures, has announced six Canadian companies that will pitch at its prestigious Demo Day on June 27. The six companies, who will travel to Calgary from across the country to pitch to over 100 industry leaders for investment and distribution, span multiple trending categories including vegan foods, snacking, artisanal, and pet food and treats.
As part of District Ventures' new program structure announced in late 2017, each company has received a $130,000 investment from Dickinson's venture capital fund, District Ventures Capital, in exchange for a minority equity stake. After taking part in a five month program to increase their sales, distribution, and valuation, the companies will now pitch to external investors to build on their growth.
"I'm really excited about our upcoming Demo Day," said Dickinson. "The investment we've made in each of the companies, together with our enhanced accelerator program, have positioned them to grow into global brands. Demo Day is an opportunity for other Canadian investors to help them achieve that growth."
District Ventures' programming is specialized to grow food and beverage companies in the consumer packaged goods category by building relationships with industry contacts, providing mentorship and access to capital. The program also features workshops with Dickinson's marketing agency, Venture Communications, on how to build brand equity – a key element in any successful food and beverage company.
"We selected Cohort 5 based on a range of factors, including fundamentals like product, sales, distribution and market potential. But ultimately, we selected these six companies because of the entrepreneurs behind the businesses. They've each shown drive, creativity and tenacity and we are proud to be working with them," Dickinson stated.
The cohort was selected from hundreds of applicants from across the country who underwent a lengthy application and due diligence process.
Cohort 5 members include:
- Culcherd – Toronto, ON – www.culcherd.com
- Drizzle Honey – Calgary, AB – www.drizzlehoney.com
- Farm Fresh Pet Foods – Carstairs, AB - www.farmfreshpetfoods.com
- Little Tucker – Calgary, AB - www.littletucker.ca
- Prairie Fava – Glenboro, MB - www.prairiefava.com
- Torill's Table – Calgary, AB – www.torills-table.com
To learn when District Ventures will be recruiting for its next cohort, visit www.districtventures.ca.
About District Ventures Accelerator
Founded in October 2015 by Arlene Dickinson, District Ventures is the top accelerator in Canada for food, beverage and health entrepreneurs. The accelerator connects innovative early-stage CPG entrepreneurs to the industry's top experts, investors and retailers. District Ventures has received over 2,000 applications from entrepreneurs across the country. To date, it has accepted 53 companies into its program. District Ventures Accelerator is part of an ecosystem of support that delivers capital, mentorship and marketing to innovative CPG companies. District Ventures Accelerator, District Ventures Capital, and Venture Communications operate with the sole purpose to turn successful companies into globally respected brands.
SOURCE District Ventures
Justin Burrows, Venture Communications, [email protected], 416-276-7699
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