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UNB’s Summer Institute hosts demo day introducing six New Brunswick start-ups

Author: UNB Newsroom

Posted on Jul 15, 2022

Category: UNB Fredericton

The Summer Institute, the accelerator program offered by the J Herbert Smith Centre at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), hosted its demo day on July 13, allowing companies to present their final pitches and marking the completion of the program. 

The three-month intensive accelerator program is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs of all disciplines. It offers skills training, mentorship, resources and peer-to-peer support to help aspiring entrepreneurs start, launch, and grow their businesses. 

This year’s demo day was hosted in person for the first time in two years.

“We have six great companies and, most importantly, wonderful founders in our current cohort,” says Joe Allen, managing director of accelerator programs at the J Herbert Smith Centre at UNB Fredericton. “The amount of work and dedication the founders have put into growing their businesses is something they can be very proud of and we at the Summer Institute are proud of their commitment and openness to learn.”

This year’s companies are all based out of New Brunswick:

  • Mālō (Fredericton) – A skincare line that will transport you to the South Pacific
  • Sinner’s Suds (Fredericton) – Handcrafted soap and body products with a simple and positive principle – good clean fun
  • Tailored Tots (Fredericton) – Safe, sustainable and practical handmade teething toys that are enjoyable for babies and stylish for moms
  • Spring Hill Farms (Saint John) – Fresh gourmet mushrooms grown on a family-owned farm
  • REFLL (Fredericton) – Eco-friendly solution to supply high-use household products encouraging communities to refill instead of landfill
  • SimplyPut (Fredericton) – Simplified content on local governance matters for better public inclusion

This is Summer Institute’s ninth cohort. For the past eight years, in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the accelerator program has helped more than 50 start-ups turn their innovative ideas into sustainable ventures.  

Media contact: Kelsey Pye
Photo: The Summer Institute's team and members of its 2022 cohort. Credit: UNB Media Services