Daily Update: June 25, 2020

Fall Funding for Startups and SMEs now available through Venture for Canada

Employer and student applications are now for our Fall 2020 hiring period! Work-from-home internships are welcome, and employers can identify an eligible from their own network or hire from our pre-vetted candidate pool. The Program Info Guide has everything you need to share our program in an upcoming newsletter, email to your network, or on your social channels. 

Funding is available to businesses and nonprofits that:

• Are located in Atlantic Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta or British Columbia 
• Have 500 or fewer employees
• Can offer an internship that builds innovation or entrepreneurial skills

Applications are reviewed within three business days, and funding is allocated on a rolling basis to fully eligible and approved matches. Employers should apply ASAP for their best chance to secure funding this Fall. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 7, 2020 or until funding is fully allocated.

Google Launches Accelerator in North America to Support Women Founders

Google has launched a new accelerator program focused on women founders in Canada and the United States. Google for Startups Accelerator for Women Founders is a three-month digital accelerator program for Seed to Series A technology startups based in the U.S. and Canada. The accelerator program is designed to bring the best of Google’s programs, products, people and technology to women founder communities across the region. In addition to mentorship and technical project support, the accelerator also includes deep dives and workshops focused on machine learning, product design, customer acquisition and leadership development. The new North American accelerator is being led by Ashley Francisco, Google’s head of start-up developer ecosystem in Canada, and her counterpart in the United States, Jason Scott.

Deadline to apply: July 22, 2020

For more information and to apply: https://events.withgoogle.com/google-for-startups-accelerator-women-founders/ 

For additional contact: Aaron Poirier, EDTT Trade Americas team aaron.poirier@gov.ab.ca

Startup Fest Montreal HYBRID Event July 15-16, 2020

Despite restrictions and limited in person attendance, Alberta companies might be interested to explore if and how they can participate virtually in Startup Fest 2020.

In-person attendance is limited based on current local regulations (currently a maximum gathering of 50 people). There will be a small studio audience in Montreal and the organizers will be streaming the event live for free to the global Startupfest community. 

Application to pitch is currently open. For detailed information on the program and the application to pitch, please go here: https://startupfestival.com/

Toyota AI Ventures Call for Innovation Closes June 30, 2020 

Are you the founder of a company that is developing technologies to advance smart and connected cities? The call for innovation is an opportunity for startups to receive between $500,000 and $2 million in funding from Toyota AI Ventures. In addition, they’re partnering with Toyota Research Institute - Advanced Development (TRI-AD) and Toyota Research Institute (TRI) on this call, and selected startups might also get an opportunity to collaborate on future projects.

Areas of focus:

• Improving accessibility and mobility for all, including autonomous and personal vehicles
• Reducing congestion and pollution through electric and shared mobility services
• Increasing efficiency through smarter home and building construction
• Using AI and robotics to assist people with everyday tasks and personal care
• Sourcing actionable IoT data and analytics to drive planning decisions 

If your startup has a viable business model, a working prototype, and hasn’t raised more than $3 million in outside funding, apply here: https://toyota-ai.ventures/innovation.html Deadline to apply: June 30, 2020