IdeaBoost Unveils Second Cohort of Six Canadian Startups

Six Canadian startups will be participating in the second round of ideaBoost, a business accelerator for companies focused on creating content and enabling technologies for the media and entertainment industry.

The Canadian Film Centre, together with Corus Entertainment, Google and Shaw Media, announced the selection: AlertTVBemused NetworkInstaradioLightning PlatformMotion Panels and Wondereur. They will each receive $15,000 in seed capital for their project as well as mentoring by thought leaders from the technology, business, marketing, media and product communities, ideaBoost says. Shaw, Corus, and Google will offer program participants strategic guidance over the course of the four-month boot camp-style program, as well as the potential for capital investment at exit, according to the accelerator.

“The deep involvement of ideaBOOST’s founding partners—Shaw Media, Corus Entertainment and Google—all of whom recognize the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of media and entertainment innovators is what sets our accelerator apart,” says Ana Serrano, chief digital officer of the CFC.

IdeaBoost received “hundreds” of applications from companies in major cities all over Canada.

“IdeaBoost has expanded the call to include both the stories and the means by which they are produced, delivered, and ultimately experienced by the audience,” saysScott Dyer, chief technology officer of Corus.

“Once again, we are pleased to see the very high quality of companies applying to ideaBoost,” added Peter Bissonnette, president of Shaw Communications.

“We are in the early days of a fundamental shift in the way content is created and delivered,” noted Jeremy Butteriss, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Google Canada. “For this reason it is important to catalyze both content and technology developers in Canada. IdeaBoosthopes to help in both regards with our new cohort.”