District Ventures announces exciting group of Canadian entrepreneurs for sixth cohort
CALGARY, Oct. 24, 2018 /CNW/ - Arlene Dickinson's District Ventures Accelerator has announced its sixth cohort with seven unique Canadian companies selected from across the country.
The early-stage companies span multiple categories across the consumer packaged goods industry, each with their own unique product. Included in the cohort is Naledo, a social enterprise from Vancouver who works with Belizean farmers to produce Canada's first-to-market turmeric paste. ProDr8, a coconut water-based sports drink from Saint-Lazare that uses natural ingredients for better athletic recovery. And, Maze Bar, a snack bar company from Toronto that highlights a clean ingredient list and was created by a young entrepreneur while in high school.
"I'm really excited to work with these unique companies," said Dickinson. "We selected them not just because of their products, but because of their huge potential to grow in their respective segments. They're true entrepreneurs who have some amazing stories that I know Canadians will love to hear."
Like all of District Ventures' cohorts, the companies come from across Canada, hailing from Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. The new cohort offers trending products in the ethnic, tea, condiment, snack bar and beverage categories, along with a mobile food app that connects consumers with their local restaurants and bars.
As part of the District Ventures accelerator program, each company will receive a $150,000 investment from District Ventures Capital in exchange for a minority equity stake. The investment includes access to a five-month business development program tailored to increase their sales, distribution, brand equity and ultimately their valuation through business strategy, mentorship and marketing.
The program is designed to help the companies increase their market share by developing global sales strategies and connecting them with strategically valuable retailers. It concludes with the accelerator's sixth Demo Day in January, where founders will pitch their companies to some of North America's top investors, retailers and distributors.
"I believe it's more important than ever to support and export Canadian products, and we selected these companies, and invested in these companies, because we believe they have the right ingredients to succeed. I'm excited to work with them over the coming months as District Ventures helps them grow, increase their market share and ultimately become successful international brands," said Dickinson.
Cohort 6 members include:
- Happy Pops – Toronto, O.N. – www.happypops.ca
- La Dee Da Gourmet Sauces – Hamilton, O.N. – www.ladeedasauces.com
- Genuine Tea – Toronto, O.N. – www.genuinetea.ca
- Maze Bar – Toronto, O.N. – www.mazebar.com
- Naledo – Vancouver, B.C. - www.naledo.com
- ProDr8 – Saint-Lazare, Q.C. – www.prodr8.ca
- Quench – Montreal, Q.C. – www.quenchclub.ca
District Ventures is now accepting applications for its seventh cohort. To apply, visit www.districtventures.ca/apply.
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. To date, it has accepted 60 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 Accelerator
please contact: Alex Imler, District Ventures, [email protected], 403-630-1266
Share this article