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Cohorts of the University of New Brunswick’s Summer Institute for Technology Entrepreneurship (SITE), delivered by the J. Herbert Smith Centre (TME), took part in a virtual demonstration day on July 15 to mark the completion of their three-month program.

For the past seven years, the SITE program has helped entrepreneurs looking to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable ventures.

Five companies took part in the program and presented at the virtual event:

• Soul Star Aromatics (Fredericton)
• Vivera (Fredericton)
• Village Sage Herbals (Jacksontown, N.B.)
• Tutor on Time (Fredericton)
• Life Track (Fredericton)

“Demo day is a final pitch opportunity for the companies that have gone through the program,” says Joe Allen, managing director of accelerator programs at TME. “It is an exciting time for companies to show off their business models, innovative approaches and other valuable business propositions they will be bringing to the world based on their learnings over the three-month program.”

The virtual event was attended by members of the start-up ecosystem, venture capital investors and university and government officials.

“I’m so pleased that ACOA’s investment to UNB’s SITE program is giving youth the skills they need to play an active role in rebuilding and re-energizing this region’s economy,” says Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for ACOA. “The Government of Canada is committed to increasing opportunities for young people who are interested in developing entrepreneurial skills critical to building a strong, diverse, inclusive and innovative economy in Atlantic Canada.”

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), provided a contribution of $407,700 to UNB to deliver the SITE program for 2020 and 2021.

“I have been so impressed with the founders and the work they have done in the program,” says Allen. “We are all looking forward to their final presentations as they embark on the path forward and excel in their entrepreneurial journey. We can’t wait to witness the successes of this cohort in the future.”

Media contacts

• Kristen Cook, Communications Officer, UNB: kristen.cook@unb.ca
• Ann Kenney, Communications Officer, ACOA NB: ann.kenney@acoa-apeca.gc.ca