The Libro StartUP Six
Libro Credit Union and WEtech Alliance has announced the six startup entrepreneurs selected for the inaugural Libro StartUP accelerator program.
The six entrepreneurs were selected out of 30 applications for a year-long program that provides financial support and intensive, sustained business mentoring to startup entrepreneurs – representing the first industry sponsored accelerator program in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent open to entrepreneurs of all ages.
“The applications were incredibly competitive, which is a great sign of a startup community gaining strength and diversity in our region,” says Yvonne Pilon, President and CEO of WEtech Alliance.
Libro StartUP is made possible through a generous $50,000 grant from the Libro Prosperity Fund.
“The Prosperity Fund is unique in that decisions are made locally and reflect the individual communities we serve. This is a tremendous opportunity to support innovative startup entrepreneurs in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, aligned with our purpose of growing prosperity across southwestern Ontario.” – Lori Atkinson, Libro’s regional manager of Essex-Kent
The six entrepreneurs represent a diverse cross-section of industry sectors from tech to agriculture and health care.
The startup six includes:
- Secret Sip Coffee Club – An innovative coffee service based on an e-commerce subscription model utilizing Canadian Micro Roasted Coffee
- Border City Urban Farms – A freight farm: a high tech hydroponic farm created inside recycled insulated shipping container
- Envirodrone – A commercial drone system that performs a variety of professional services from surveying and mapping to surveillance based
- Powerball Technologies – A leading augmented reality 3-D commerce platform for the North American furniture and interior design industry
- H & F Foods – An online store that provides locally sourced organic meats and produce from Ontario farms straight to your door
- Clinic Seeker – Clinic Seeker’s objective is to provide current and accurate information regarding urgent care centers, practitioner-led after hours clinics, X-ray services and laboratory offices on a simple to use platform
Libro is Ontario’s third largest credit union with $3.6 billion in assets under administration and more than 100,000 Owners across southwestern Ontario. As a co-operative financial institution with more than 70 years of history, Libro supports the well-being of people, businesses and communities by providing high-quality financial coaching and profit sharing. Recognized as a 2016 Platinum Level Aon Best Employer in Canada, Libro is proud to support The Prosperity Project, which aims to grow prosperity in southwestern Ontario by mobilizing and inspiring collaboration, strengthening the financial health of people, families and businesses, and investing in our communities to help the region prosper together.
WEtech Alliance is Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent’s Technology Accelerator; an industry-led non-profit organization focused on driving the growth and success of technology centric companies and entrepreneurs through leadership, connections and promotion. WEtech strives to identify, find solutions and foster the development of the technology industry in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent by engaging companies in the technology and innovation sector, as well as companies who utilize technology.
