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In a startup’s early stages, the difference between surviving and scaling often comes down to the right support at the right time. That’s exactly what ventureLAB’s Accelerated Growth Program is designed to offer: targeted support for tech startups that are ready to grow, but need guidance, resources, and connections to get there faster.
Why the Accelerated Growth Program Works
The Program is more than early-stage support, it’s a launchpad into ventureLAB’s larger innovation ecosystem.
Startups that complete Accelerated Growth Program are often better positioned to stand out in ventureLAB’s flagship programs like the Hardware Catalyst Initiative, Investment Readiness Program, Accelerate AI or TechEdge. While entry into these programs remains competitive, the Accelerated Growth Program supports companies by building the foundation they need to be strong contenders.
At the core of this program is personalized, hands-on support. Every startup is matched with a curated team of Advisors and Executives-in-Residence, a mix of seasoned entrepreneurs, operators, executives, investors and industry specialists with deep experience across hardware, AI, medtech & automobility. This team works closely with founders to tackle challenges across product development, customer acquisition, fundraising, and scaling by identifying roadblocks, building strategic plans and moving fast on high impact priorities.
That’s what makes the Accelerated Growth Program so effective: it meets startups where they are and gives them the right mix of guidance, accountability, and network access to accelerate growth, while opening the door to ventureLAB’s broader suite of programs.
Here’s what that success looks like in real life in the Accelerated Growth Program.
Kiwi Charge Is Powering the Future of Urban EV Charging
Kiwi Charge started in ventureLAB’s Accelerated Growth Program with a bold mission: to simplify and scale EV charging solutions for urban environments. With hands-on support from ventureLAB’s advisors, Executives-in-Residence, and access to the hardware lab, the company rapidly built momentum and was accepted into ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative to accelerate its technical development and scaling efforts.
Kiwi Charge achieved major milestones, becoming the only Canadian company selected for Rice University’s Business Case competition in 2024, placing 3rd at TiECon, and winning both the Top Venture Award and Best Tech Award at Schulich Startup Night. They also won 2nd place and $30,000 at the Supernova Challenge at GITEX Asia, one of the world’s largest startup and investment events. They are currently in three buildings and expanding into cities like Markham and Vaughan. Kiwi Charge continues to grow supported by acceptance into the OVIN Demonstration Zone and securing $10K from the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (Stream 2).
The Accelerated Growth Program laid the foundation for Kiwi Charge’s success, providing the strategic guidance, technical resources, and ecosystem access needed to turn a bold idea into a rapidly scaling company.
“The Accelerated Growth Program at ventureLAB gave Kiwi Charge access to invaluable mentorship, strategic support, and a strong network of partners and investors. It played a key role in helping us refine our go-to-market strategy and scale our impact. For hardware founders, joining this ecosystem is a game-changer. The deep expertise, resources and infrastructure available here are exactly what’s needed to navigate the unique challenges of building and scaling hardware.” - Abdel Ali, Founder and CEO
Asenion Is Making AI Systems Safer and More Accountable
Asenion (formerly Fairly AI) started in the Accelerated Growth Program with strategic focus to make AI safer, more transparent, and accountable. With personalized guidance from ventureLAB’s advisors and Executive In Residence, the company laid the foundation to scale its AI governance and compliance platform.
Asenion is tackling one of the most urgent challenges in tech, ensuring AI systems align with global safety and regulatory standards. Their no-code platform, combined with a network of test agents, proactively tests, monitors, and manages AI models for compliance, risk, and ethical use.
Backed by $2.9M in funding and support from $50K funding from Scale AI, Asenion is helping regulated industries automate quality assurance and ensure that their AI systems are secure, fair, and in line with policy.
Their growth is a testament to the support founders can expect from the program, demonstrating how Accelerated Growth Program helps startups scale responsibly in high-stakes, fast-moving sectors.
“ventureLAB has been instrumental in our growth, connecting us with the right advisors, opening doors to key partnerships and opportunities. Their support didn’t just accelerate our progress; it gave us the confidence to scale with purpose and clarity.” - Fion-Lee Madan, Co-Founder and COO
BidBlox Is Redefining AEC Bidding with AI, and Gaining Global Traction
BidBlox began its journey in ventureLAB’s Accelerated Growth Program with a mission to streamline the bidding process in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries and is now part of the Investment Program, continuing to scale with confidence.
The company has secured $50K in funding from Scale AI, raised $220,000 in venture capital, and won the Toronto pitch competition at GITEX Dubai’s Expand North Star, opening doors to the booming Middle East construction market. With their first U.S. customer onboard and direct access to Silicon Valley through the Pathway program, BidBlox is laying the foundation for serious international expansion. Most recently, Bidblox joined ventureLAB at the Amii UpperBound Conference in Edmonton and won the AI Startup pitch competition. Their AI-powered platform is helping AEC firms optimize bids, increase revenue, and reduce costly errors,proving there’s strong global demand for smarter construction tech.
BidBlox’s journey from this program to global pitch stages and now into the investment track shows how structured, personalized support can accelerate a startup’s trajectory.
"The AGP program at ventureLAB has been a game-changer for our startup. From tailored mentorship to opening new doors, every element was designed to help us scale with clarity and speed. Access to seasoned advisors and a supportive community made a real difference. If you're looking to accelerate your growth with focused, founder-first support, AGP is the place to be. " - Lisa Mohapatra, Co-Founder and CEO
Get Involved with ventureLAB
Whether you’re a founder with a prototype or a startup ready to grow, ventureLAB’s Accelerated Growth Program is a launchpad into a larger ecosystem built for growth. Here’s what you can expect:
• 1:1 advisory with seasoned entrepreneurs and experts
• Strategic roadmap planning
• Guidance with customer acquisition and revenue generation strategies
• Access to partner networks and ventureLAB’s flagship programs
Learn more and apply today: venturelab.ca/programs/accelerated-growth-program
