JOLT Announces the Next 6 Startups to Join its Summer 2014 Cohort

Toronto-Based Accelerator Introduces New Program Partners

TORONTO, July 28, 2014 /CNW/ -  JOLT, a leading technology accelerator, announced today the latest group of companies to join its growing portfolio of startups. Next-level tech and boundary-pushing innovation have become hallmarks of Toronto's JOLT accelerator, and Cohort four is no exception, with six ambitious startups on the roster.

Since its launch in July 2012, JOLT has produced 17 startups that have successfully raised  $7.5M of financing. Now at 23 investments, JOLT's portfolio has an overall mix of: 38% mobile / platforms; 35% eCommerce and consumer web; 17% SaaS; and 10% iOT / hardware.

"We're excited to welcome six new startups to our existing portfolio, four of which are woman-led," said Susan McGill, Executive Director, JOLT. "We look forward to helping these entrepreneurs build global entities by leveraging our expertise, programming and active community of world-class partners and entrepreneurs."

Here are the six startups to watch in 2014:

PostBeyond – PostBeyond's enterprise-ready platform helps distribute approved content to thousands of employees quickly and easily to enable them to build business on social.

Think Dirty - Think Dirty® educates consumers about potential toxic ingredients and empowers ingredient-conscious consumers to make the safest and healthiest choices.

tBOT - tBOT makes personalized loose-leaf tea through robotics — anywhere, anytime. Ever find yourself craving that perfect cup of tea on-the-go? tBOT's automated kiosks blend, bag and serve your tea your way.

SilverDart Learning - SilverDart Learning develops game-based mobile apps for high school math and science curriculums. The company provides curriculum-based education content in an app gaming environment that is both familiar and engaging to students.

Peekapak - Peekapak creates a children's monthly subscription kit, taking children on a storytelling adventure and challenging them to build 'play props' that extend the adventure into their world.

SKE Labs - SKE Labs makes sensory awareness and cloud-based connected devices that enable users to access information, personalize content and shop with zero-touch.

The accelerator also announced that it has expanded its program partners to include some of the world's top technology companies. JOLT is the first Canadian accelerator to partner with PayPal's global startup program, Startup Blueprint.

"We're excited to welcome JOLT as our newest member to PayPal's Startup Blueprint program. Current partners include top tier accelerators, incubators and venture capitalists from around the world," said Robert Schwentker, Startup Relations @ PayPal. "We look forward to working with the JOLT startups to help them accelerate their growth and succeed globally."

In addition, JOLT is the first official Canadian supporter of FbStart - a new program from Facebook to help mobile startups at different stages in their life cycles build and grow their apps. Other new JOLT program partners include Microsoft BizSpark, OCAD University and Amazon AWS.

To learn more about JOLT and the companies in the Summer 2014 Cohort, check out joltco.ca.

About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the world's largest urban innovation hubs. MaRS cultivates high-impact ventures and equips innovators to drive economic and societal prosperity. MaRS provides expert advice and market research, and makes connections to talent, customers and capital. MaRS startup clients have created 6,500 jobs and, in the last three years alone, they have raised $1 billion in capital and generated $500 million in revenue.

About JOLT
JOLT (@joltco) is a Toronto-based technology accelerator dedicated to building high-growth Canadian web and mobile companies. JOLT offers these selected companies working space in the MaRS Commons, seed financing and mentorship, as well as access to seasoned partners and some of the top angel and venture capital investors in the industry. By combining the expertise of its numerous partners in the creative arts, design and technology sectors with MaRS' business-building experience, JOLT provides the selected companies with business validation, streamlined market entry and a greater opportunity for success.

SOURCE: MaRS Discovery District

Media contact: Melissa Hughes, Manager, Media & Community Relations, MaRS Discovery District,416.673.8152, [email protected]