Accelerate Fund

Big news at Helcim this week, with the launch of their Integrated Payments program! It allows third-party developers, software platforms and integration partners to share in the revenue from transactions that flow through those integrations. Another way Helcim is walking the talk in becoming the world's most beloved payments company. Congrats to the team, Nic Beique and Marjorie Junio-Read, CFA! See the news in Fintech.ca: https://lnkd.in/gCUPnz-b For software companies that are curious about adding payments to your platform, consider Helcim. With easy setup, online and in-person payment options and revenue sharing - it’s worth a look: https://lnkd.in/gTMdhKp3 #Fintech #AlbertaTech #ABTech #CalgaryTech

Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC)’s Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study 2023 is now out, and it’s packed with insights into Alberta’s fast-evolving technology and innovation sector. • 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: 2,378 companies were identified, a 157% increase since 2012 • 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗟: 46% of Alberta companies are integrating AI or ML, up from 36% in 2021 • 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼-𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀: 37% of companies reported one or more female founders, up from 30% in 2021 Access to capital is the top challenge facing many Alberta tech companies, especially with current market conditions favouring revenue-focused efficient businesses. We look forward to continuing to support Alberta tech companies in their efforts to gain market traction, access investors, and best guide them in fundraising. See the full report: https://lnkd.in/g-D-j_V #Alberta #Tech #AlbertaTech #ABTech #LifeSciences #Innovation #Startup #Scaleup #Founders #Investors

ICYMI: We sat down with PulseMedica’s Co-Founder and CEO Nir Katchinskiy to talk about his shift from deep tech researcher to entrepreneur, how to choose financial partners and the struggles and breakthroughs in bringing a medical device and software to market. See the full interview: https://lnkd.in/g3JZ6vru #AlbertaTech #ABtech #DeepTech #LifeSciences #MedicalDevice #Tech #Founder #CoFounder #EyeDisease

We’re still buzzing from great conversations and learning at the #UpperBound Conference! Thanks to Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC) for moderating and everyone who joined in the panel discussion on “Unlocking VC Doors and Understanding What Investors Look For” with our Yasmine Al-Hussein, MBA, plus Patrick Lor of Panache Ventures, and Nick Chen of Golden Ventures. Great moderation Christiana Manzocco. If you’re a founder with follow up questions on when to engage with VCs, how best to tell your story or what to expect in valuations - don’t hesitate to reach out to our team in Edmonton and Calgary 👋 . www.acceleratefund.ca You might have also seen Melania Antoszko and Alberta Female Founders, Funders and Fortifiers (ABF4) crew organizing the "Conversations in Gender and AI” session with thought provoking panelist from  OEG Inc., AltaML, Alberta Health Services and (Amii). It was an enlightening dialog on how AI technologies are shaping the future of the labor market and considerations for gender equality. Special thanks to Dani Strang for moderating the discussion! Congrats to the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) team and event sponsors of Upper Bound 2024. And thanks, Amii crew, for your year-round support of Alberta teams who are unlocking the promise of AI and what people and technology can achieve! #Generative_AI #AI #ABtech #Startups #Startup #TechStartup

BetaKit looks into the mental health gap Edmonton’s CARE Group aims to fill with new funding: “Millions of people are not getting the care they need, especially in our rural, remote and indigenous communities,” Ray Yue, BSc Pharmacy, RPh said in a statement. “Our digital mental health technologies and programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of each person where they are at in their own journey, on their schedule and at their convenience.” Read the article: https://lnkd.in/dcHNZR8q #InvestmentNews #ABtech #YEGTech #CDNtech #MentalHealth #MedTech #Startups #Startup #TechStartup

What does it take for a deep tech researcher from U of A to become a CEO leading the commercialization of a medical device and software? We asked Nir Katchinskiy, Co-Founder and CEO of PulseMedica which just raised $12M CAD about his team’s journey of bringing a medical device to market, choosing finance partners in a difficult moment for investment and the future of eye disease treatment. See the full interview: https://lnkd.in/g3JZ6vru #AlbertaTech #ABtech #DeepTech #LifeSciences #MedicalDevice #Tech #Founder #CoFounder #EyeDisease

Congrats to PulseMedica on your $12M financing round! The financing round was led by Saltagen Ventures. AF III is proud to participate in the round along with ScaleGood Fund LP, Threshold Impact, UCeed Investment Funds (Health Fund), Startup TNT and the University of Alberta’s Innovation Fund (UAIF). The investment equips PulseMedica to accelerate the clinical validation of its innovative floater imaging device and support ongoing laser safety and feasibility studies. Funds will also be used to expand the technical and business teams to prepare for commercialization and regulatory approvals. Congratulations Nir Katchinskiy, Eric M. and the entire PulseMedica team on achieving this milestone. Excited to support your next phase of growth! https://lnkd.in/gpcABwvc #ABtech #YEGtech #CDNtech #startups #startup #techstartup #VentureCapital #VC #investing #investment #AngelInvesting #AngelInvestor #HealthTech #MedicalDevice

How do we best support and grow Alberta tech companies? With early-stage investment and guidance that fills the gap between angel investors and Series A funding. Since 2012, Accelerate Fund has invested in early-stage technology companies in Alberta to better prepare them for later institutional rounds. Accelerate Fund’s Arden Tse and Yasmine Al-Hussein, MBA sat down with Torys LLP to share their insights on the investment opportunities in Alberta, the key elements they look for in startups and their outlook for 2024. See the full interview: https://lnkd.in/gnMJcz_m #Alberta #AlbertaTech #ABTech #EarlyStage #Investments #Tech #TechInvestments #Investor #VC 

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve invested in Edmonton’s CARE Group! Our investment is part of their recent $2 million finance round, which included participation from strategic angel investors and family offices. CARE Group is reshaping the landscape of mental health care with their innovative digital health technologies and programs, tailored to address the unique needs of underserved communities including Indigenous populations and remote areas. The team’s enterprise virtual care platform is already in use by several health organizations, indigenous communities, clinics, and service providers to enhance their intake processes, streamline patient management and prioritize quality care. Next up for CARE Group is accelerating company growth, expanding across Canada and the US, and further building out its team. Congrats Ray Yue, BSc Pharmacy, RPh, Marline Aizouki, BSc Pharm, MBA and the entire CARE Group team! We look forward to supporting your continued growth as you modernize and digitize mental health treatment to improve patient outcomes and save lives. See our official announcement: https://lnkd.in/dTKGzCKz #InvestmentNews #ABtech #YEGTech #CDNtech #MentalHealth #MedTech #Startups #Startup #TechStartup #VentureCapital #VC #Investing #Investment #InvestmentNews

Are we effectively harnessing the power of AI to narrow gender equality gaps, or are we letting these gaps perpetuate, or even worse, widen? We are pleased to support Alberta Female Founders, Funders and Fortifiers (ABF4)'s event "Conversations in Gender and AI" at the Upper Bound conference in Edmonton. This discussion will explore the impact of AI technologies on the labor market and gender equality. With panelists ranging from researchers to business intelligence professionals to AI researchers, attendees will engage in vital discussions about bias and gender in AI. The event will take place on May 22nd, 2024, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Edmonton Unlimited Offices. Open to all, attendees don't need an Upper Bound pass to participate, and lunch will be provided. Register now on Luma to secure a spot and contribute to shaping a more inclusive future in AI.