Toronto’s Infiniti Lab Returns for a Second Year
One thing that is indicative of a great innovation environment is the sheer amount of accelerators and the big names that attach themselves to those programs.
INFINITI LAB is returning to Toronto for a second year to continue their successful accelerator program, all in partnership with Multiplicity. Applications for the second INFINITI LAB are open now.
“INFINITI has an ambitious vision, recognizing the agile nature and benefits that startups can bring to our organization,” said Roland Krueger, chairman and global president of INFINITI. “Over the past three years we have worked with exceptional startups to develop pilots and partnerships that could transform our business. 2018 marks an exciting time as we strengthen our commitment and support for entrepreneurs worldwide.”
The most exciting new aspect of this second INFINITI LAB run is that participants will have the chance to pitch to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi venture capital fund, Alliance Ventures. That fund reaches up to $1 billion USD and targets new innovative ideas for the alliance.
The Toronto INFINITI LAB is an intensive six-week program that will feature eight total startups from the IoT and smart cities industries. The companies receive mentoring and access to a huge network of experts and potential investors. Similar startup accelerators from INFINITI are offered in Hong Kong and Dubai.
Top startups in the program have the chance to move onto INFINITI’s global accelerator as well. Last year’s cohort saw Rover Parking move on to the global stage. After the six-week program ends, a panel of judges will select the top startup from this second cohort to advance to the global stage.
The 12-week global accelerator focuses on, of course, establishing a worldwide presence for the companies involved, with access to investors and one-on-one mentorships with experts from around the globe.
“INFINITI Canada is committed to supporting homegrown entrepreneurs and open innovation,” said Adam Paterson, managing director of INFINITI Canada. “The program enables us to access new ways of thinking and support the local ecosystem with an opportunity to scale globally.”