The Accelerator Centre (AC) is a world-renowned, award-winning centre for the cultivation of technology entrepreneurship located in Waterloo, Ontario. Made possible through funding from Federal and Provincial Governments, Ontario Centres of Excellence, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo, along with industry and academic partners, the AC was established to accelerate the creation, growth, and maturation of sustainable new technology companies; to promote commercialization of research and technology rising out of academic institutions such as University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Guelph, and Conestoga College; and to generate economic benefit and enhance the strategic importance of Waterloo Region within Ontario and Canada's broader economy.

Aptly named, the Accelerator Centre is firmly focused on accelerating the growth and success of its client companies - fledgling start-ups from a variety of technology sectors. The Centre's team of advisors and mentors provide a unique range of support services and education programs, enabling AC clients to move to market faster, create jobs and stimulate economic activity. As home to 25+ technology start-up companies, with resident program staff of Ontario Centres of Excellence, National Research Council IRAP and Communitech - the Accelerator Centre has become the nexus for Waterloo's innovation community. The Accelerator Centre along with the Ontario Centres of Excellence and the University of Waterloo technology transfer commercialization office (WatCo), are partners in the Accelerator for Commercialization Excellence (ACE) which works closely with other commercialization entities such as Communitech to provide seamless access to commercialization resources for start-ups, entrepreneurs, and investors in the Waterloo Region.

The Accelerator Centre Team

The Accelerator Centre team brings to our clients extensive years of experience in start-up commercialization, providing daily, hands-on guidance as well as business and administrative support to technology start-ups participating in our programs. 

Board of Directors

The Accelerator Centre's Board of Directors brings together key stakeholders within the Waterloo technology community and includes representatives from regional and provincial government, local academic institutions, innovation partners and members of the surrounding business community.