The Accelerator Centre (AC) is proud to announce the seven startups selected to advance to Phase 2 of the UN Sustainable Development Cohort of AC:Studio. Following the successful completion of Phase 1 alongside 23 innovative startups, these companies have demonstrated exceptional progress in developing impactful solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With a $3.9-million investment from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), AC:Studio is supporting the 23-startup UN Sustainable Development Cohort, helping early-stage companies develop sustainable technologies that address pressing global challenges while contributing to economic growth across southern Ontario.
“Canadian innovators are developing the technologies we need to tackle global challenges while growing our economy here at home,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario. “Through investments such as this one, the Government of Canada is helping startups across southern Ontario bring sustainable solutions to market and strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem.”
The seven companies advancing to Phase 2 will receive an $70,000 in matching funds, along with continued access to AC:Studio’s integrated product development and commercialization support. This includes collaboration with innovation partners CarbonGraph, Conestoga College, SnapPea Design, and WEtech Alliance, as well as access to mentorship, technical expertise, and specialized resources to help complete their solutions and prepare for scale.
“Advancing Phase 2 reflects the remarkable progress these founders have made in transforming bold ideas into tangible solutions,” said Ruth Casselman, CEO of the Accelerator Centre. “Each of these companies is tackling real-world challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and we are excited to continue supporting them as they bring their technologies closer to market and create meaningful impact both locally and globally.”
Since the launch of this cohort, Phase 1 of the AC:Studio program has already delivered strong economic and innovation outcomes. Participating startups have generated $4.17 million collectively in revenue, secured $3.93 million in additional funding, and produced 29 new intellectual property filings and registrations, demonstrating the growing commercial and technological impact of Ontario’s emerging innovators.
The AC:Studio program is designed to help startups move from concept to market-ready solutions by combining funding with hands-on product development, strategic guidance, and ecosystem connections. Phase 2 focuses on helping founders finalize their products, validate market demand, and position their innovations for commercialization and scale.
The seven companies advancing to Phase 2 of the AC:Studio UN Sustainable Development Cohort are:
- ArcticEdge – ArcticEdge Technologies has developed the first PFAS-free moisture barrier that protects firefighters without compromising on durability, breathability, or performance.
- Cyberworks Robotics – Cyberworks Robotics provides hallucination-free physical AI that enables robots to operate safely and autonomously in real-world environments.
- Jitto – Jitto is building the digital operating system for produce distribution.
- LandLogic – LandLogic streamlines early-stage land analysis for both commercial and residential development, reducing time, cost, and regulatory uncertainty.
- PatientCompanion – PatientCompanion is a digital platform that helps patients clearly express their needs so that care teams can prioritize, distribute, and fulfill requests efficiently.
- Steadiwear – Steadiwear’s patented, battery-free wearable technology uses magnetically tuned stabilizers to instantly suppress tremors across a wide frequency range without requiring calibration or charging.
- Swish Solar – Swish Solar is building breakthrough technologies that keep solar panels clean and intelligent combining self-cleaning nanotech with AI optimization to maximize energy yield, lower costs, and make solar truly sustainable.
These startups represent a diverse range of sectors contributing to global sustainability, including clean technology, health innovation, sustainable infrastructure, and AI-driven solutions that improve quality of life and environmental outcomes.
About the Accelerator Centre
The Accelerator Centre empowers early-stage tech founders in the Waterloo Region with access to early-stage capital, mentorship, tactical supports, and industry networks essential to building businesses that thrive. This is where the real business of entrepreneurship gets done, every day. Everything we do begins and ends with founders—the problem solvers, builders, and bold thinkers driving Canada’s innovation economy forward. Supporting them isn’t just our mission; it’s our passion, and we are committed to being the most trusted partner as they create new industries, fuel local economies, and inspire the next generation of made-in-Ontario tech companies. Learn more at acceleratorcentre.com.
About FedDev Ontario
For over 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impact the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
Media Contacts
Tabatha Laverty
Chief Operating Officer
Accelerator Centre
tlaverty@acceleratorcentre.com
Cindy Caturao
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
cindy.caturao@feddevontario.gc.ca
