The Community Safety and Wellness Accelerator Launches in Alberta, Canada to Foster Local Social Impact Startups

EDMONTON, Alberta, November 30, 2021 (Newswire.com) - AlchemistX, the global corporate and government partnership division of Alchemist Accelerator, has partnered with the Edmonton Police Foundation to develop and launch the Community Safety & Wellness (CSW) Accelerator, an accelerator program that is designed to support startups using advanced technology and artificial intelligence to make community and social impact. The CSW Accelerator program is funded by Alberta Innovates and a consortium of funding partners to spur innovation and transform the startup ecosystem of Alberta, Canada. 

The Community Safety & Wellness (CSW) Accelerator is a unique venture accelerator targeting early-stage technology ventures that focus on addressing community and social challenges. The no-cost and equity-free program will take place over 12 weeks starting January 2022. The aim of this unique accelerator is twofold: to foster opportunities for technology innovation focused on solving social challenges, and showcase Alberta as an ideal location for founders to grow and scale their businesses. 

Successful applicants to the program should demonstrate several of the below criteria: 

• Have a focus on community safety and wellness, such as prevention of domestic and sexual violence; substance abuse treatment and prevention; addressing housing and homelessness; Indigenous reconciliation and anti-racism; community safety; mental health; community-focused sustainability initiatives; inclusion and accessibility; or other tools and platforms that offer community and social benefit
• Have demonstrated product market fit & traction
• Have revenue and experience raising pre-seed/seed investment
• Have a highly scalable technology solution that applies AI/ML or another advanced technical approach
• Be looking for pilot/POC partners, customers and/or investment
• Be able to commit 3-8 hours weekly toward the virtual/remote program
• Interest in learning about business opportunities in Alberta, Canada, and open to visiting Edmonton during the program (as long as it is safe to do so)

Benefits to participants include: 

• A local community network of community safety and wellness partners (e.g., non-profit organizations, the Edmonton Police, social sector agencies, academic partners)
• Access to unique datasets via our partners
• Access and introductions to a global network of investors that match your goals, including social impact investors
• AlchemistX Accelerator curriculum that offers 1:1 coaching, mentorship and networking opportunities to grow your startup
• Access to The Vault—Alchemist's curated network of 30,000+ connections.
• A program-specific Demo Day that celebrates program end with local investors, customers and press
• Travel grants available for travel to Edmonton and access to office space

"For technology startups focused on solving social issues and safety challenges, there is a lack of specialized support in the traditional startup accelerator and early-stage investment world. This accelerator fills that gap," says Ian Bergman, Lead Program Coach and Partner at AlchemistX. "The programming for the CSW Accelerator will be delivered by AlchemistX and will be adapted from the world-class programming used by the top-ranking B2B startup accelerator in Silicon Valley."

"We're excited to be a part of designing a program that supports an underserved niche of startup founders focused on social challenges," says Rachel Chalmers, Partner at AlchemistX. "This also shines a spotlight on Edmonton, Alberta, as one of the top-ranking regions for artificial intelligence talent in the world."

Applications for the first cohort are set to close on December 6 with admissions rolling for the additional cohorts planned between 2022-2024. Visit www.cswaccelerator.com to apply today and learn more about the program. 

About AlchemistX 

AlchemistX accelerates the development of start-up companies, and provides founders with a seed investment and structured path to traction and fundraising through a community that endures well beyond its programming. We seek to bring Silicon Valley networking and expertise to entrepreneurs around the world. 

About Alberta Innovates

Alberta Innovates supports research, and facilitates the growth of business in Alberta by helping the start-up community to build new technology and drive new ideas. They put innovation into action to build a bright future for all Albertans by providing funding programs, advice, connections, technical expertise and applied research services to stimulate and grow research and innovation across Alberta, Canada. 

About the Edmonton Police Foundation

The Edmonton Police Foundation seeks to transform community policing by investing in innovation to create opportunities for social and economic prosperity including better outcomes for our most vulnerable.

Media Contact: 

Name: Amy Bronson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-587-576-9827

Source: AlchemistX