Closed
Source verified August 19, 2026
Western Accelerator
Startup accelerator for high-growth ventures
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Latest source updateLast Update: August 18, 2026Latest change: Western Accelerator now says accepted founders receive $12,000 and describes the program as a four-month immersive entrepreneurship program for new high-potential ventures.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 18, 2026
Latest change: Western Accelerator now says accepted founders receive $12,000 and describes the program as a four-month immersive entrepreneurship program for new high-potential ventures.
Western Accelerator funding and program scope updated
The Western Accelerator overview now states that accepted founders receive $12,000 in funding, along with mentorship and education. It also now describes the program as a four-month immersive entrepreneurship program for new high-potential ventures, and the apply link is labeled Fall Cohort 2026.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
London, Ontario, Canada
Overview
Western Accelerator is a startup accelerator that helps high-growth ventures scale through mentorship and training. It supports activities such as workshops, pitch preparation, and in-person coworking participation during the program.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- London
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- An immersive education in entrepreneurship for new high-potential ventures.
- Hands-on mentorship and educational training from in-house experts and industrial partners.
- Weekly workshops on Value Proposition, Design Thinking, Startup Legal, Digital Marketing, Intellectual Property, Accounting, Sales, Public Relations, and Leadership.
Documents Needed
- Executive summary
- Company logo
- Company website
- Team picture
- Pitch video links and investor pitch slide deck
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Western alumni, faculty, staff, and students
- Registered businesses (sole proprietorship or incorporated business)
- At least one founder must have a connection to Western
Who is not eligible
- Teams without a founder connected to Western
- Unregistered businesses
- Teams unable to commit full-time in person
- Student founders not available full-time during program hours
- Ideas or early-stage ventures without a minimum viable product
Eligible geographic areas
- Western University, London, Ontario
Selection criteria
- High potential to scale.
- Minimal viable product ready to go to market.
- Completed product development and readiness to launch.
- Clear competitive advantage or intellectual property.
- Founding team skills and determination.
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit a written application through the GUST platform before the deadline.
- Provide the required application materials.
- Step 2: Application review and pitch selection
- Applications are reviewed by judges.
- Top-ranked teams are invited to pitch to a selection committee.
- Step 3: Final decision and onboarding
- Successful teams are contacted.
- Onboarding information is collected for accepted ventures.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by an anonymous and diverse panel of judges.
- Top-ranked teams are invited to pitch to a selection committee.
- Selected teams are contacted and onboarding information is collected.
Additional information
- Applications are submitted through the GUST platform.
- The program runs in two cohorts each year.
- Selected teams receive mentorship and educational training.
- The accelerator is based on campus at Western University in London, Ontario.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Western Accelerator Program
What is the Western Accelerator?
Western Accelerator is a startup accelerator that helps high-growth ventures scale through mentorship and training. It supports activities such as workshops, pitch preparation, and in-person coworking participation during the program.
Who is eligible for the Western Accelerator program?
To be eligible for the Western Accelerator program, you must:
At least one founder linked to Western
Registered business
Full-time in-person commitment
What expenses are eligible under Western Accelerator?
An immersive education in entrepreneurship for new high-potential ventures.
Hands-on mentorship and educational training from in-house experts and industrial partners.
Weekly workshops on Value Proposition, Design Thinking, Startup Legal, Digital Marketing, Intellectual Property, Accounting, Sales, Public Relations, and Leadership.
Who can I contact for more information about the Western Accelerator?
You can contact Morrissette Entrepreneurship by email at accelerator@uwo.ca.
Where is the Western Accelerator available?
The Western Accelerator program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Western Accelerator a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Western Accelerator is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Western Accelerator?
Western Accelerator is funded by Morrissette Entrepreneurship