MaRS Data Catalyst | Data Catalyst Team | October 2013

MaRS Data Catalyst is excited to share with you Seeding Success, a report on the Canadian startup accelerator landscape.

You can download the report as a PDF here.

In just three years, Canada has seen over 30 accelerators and accelerator-like programs open their doors. While many are now an intrinsic part of their local startup ecosystems, our research suggests that in many ways Canada’s accelerators are in their own “startup phase” and pivots variations on the accelerator model—abound. These continued iterations contribute to the refinement of best practices and could potentially lead to new, distinct models in the future.

This report aims to promote a better understanding of the Canadian accelerator landscape by describing key program elements and beginning an exploration of the issues and challenges associated with measuring accelerator performance. It is hoped that these insights will lay the groundwork for more informed discussion about the role and contribution of accelerators and related programs in Canada and the need for greater transparency and meaningful metrics, leading ultimately to better outcomes for accelerators, their graduates and the broader startup ecosystem.