Co.Labs and Cultivator - Awesome Accelerator Programs!

Hey friends! Today, we are taking a look at 2 of the awesome programs that help entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan - Co.Labs’ Co-Launch program and Cultivator - powered by Conexusr’s START program. We’re talking to 2 entrepreneurs and founders who have gone through the programs, Conor Phillips and Kenneth McLeod. 

Conor is an innovator, creative problem solver, passionate communicator, and aspiring serial-entrepreneur.  Conor currently owns and operates a small vending machine business, Fuel2Go Vending, which is focused on the promotion of healthy, local and sustainable snacks and drinks, as well as service excellence. 

Conor is also in the process of starting a new business called Pathfinder 365, which is an interactive software platform, with the goal of connecting tourism-related businesses with tourism-seeking customers.  Pathfinder will enhance the effectiveness of businesses' efforts to promote their products and services, and make it substantially easier for travelers, adventurers and activity-seekers to explore the wide variety of options available to them, by essentially bringing the entire tourism industry onto one platform.  

Kenneth is the CEO and co-founder of Local Boost, as well as the co-founder and Business and Tech Development Executive of VDQ-NRG. Kenneth was previously a heavy duty mechanic for 7 years, before leaving and starting VDQ-NRG. 

Local Boost was the result of him and his co-founder and team meeting at Cultivator’s 24 Hour Startup event. After working on the idea for the event, they decided to continue working together, and are now developing software and a mobile app to help find independent people to help boost your car. It’s like Uber or Skip The Dishes for boosting your car! 

So let’s get down to business. What are both of these programs? 

The Co.Labs Co.Launch program is a 16 week accelerator program that helps you validate your startup idea, and you receive guidance from successful founders, and you hone your pitch, for a chance to win $20,000. 

The Cultivator START program is a 3-month, pre-revenue, tech accelerator program that is designed to help founders identify their problem/solution fit. Startups in the program are at varying stages of business, from ideation to pre-revenue to beta. 

TNT: Hi Conor and Kenneth! Thanks so much for sitting down with me today. Let’s talk about Co.Launch and START and how the programs worked for you. 

Conor: For me, the program was the perfect fit for where I’m at with my startup. It really helped to galvanize my focus, and helped me hone in on what I’m doing, what my messaging is, who I’m selling to, and most importantly, what my value proposition is. It focused me on my why - why I’m doing this and why people would buy my product.

Kenneth: I think that the START program gives founders a good base of the all-around skills that you need to start and grow your business. It helps founders who are on the precipice of launching/going full time with their business, to really develop their product market fit, and hone in on the ‘whys’ of your startup. Cultivator is super supportive and really helps to answer a lot of the questions that entrepreneurs have when they’re starting out.

TNT: Awesome! And what were the best parts of the program for you? 

Conor: I was part of Cohort 9, and my cohort was great. We formed a community, and all supported one another, and shared resources and knowledge. We collaborated and answered each other’s questions a lot. 

And the team members who facilitated the program were really supportive. Plus, as part of Cohort 9, I had access to previous alumni, which helped me to extend my network. 

It’s a really well-designed program, and helped set me up to go into the next level, Co.Link, when I’m ready. 

Kenneth: The best part of the program for me was all the support. We got to hear a lot of great speakers - entrepreneurs, investors, successful founders, lawyers, marketers, etc. WE got to hear from a variety of people, who talked about all sides of the ecosystem, so there was a lot of learning from other perspectives. 

Plus, on top of being matched with a mentor, who did one-on-one sessions, there was also Mentor Madness Day, where you got to talk to all the mentors. 

Lastly, the program really helped me to hone my message, and how to tell my story and connect with people authentically. 

TNT: Love it! Tell me, do you have advice for other founders about accelerators and programs like this? 

Conor: I think it’s important that you know what the program is about, and what the aim of the program is. Each accelerator/incubator/program has their own flavour, their own perspective, so it’s important that it fits with where you’re at, as a founder, and as a company. 

Also know that programs and accelerators like Co.Launch are all about validating your idea. And sometimes, it’s validating that your idea just isn’t there. You might start the program with an idea or business, and by the end, you’re tossing that idea in the garbage. And that’s ok! You have to be ready to go all in on the idea, but also know that you might have to pivot or throw the idea away. 

Kenneth: I agree, I think you really need to know what the program is really about. For example, if you’re not an experienced founder, or if you’re a first-time founder, a program like START can really take the scary parts, the unknowns out of the equation. They’ll help you plot a path forward, and answer all your questions. 

And like Conor mentioned, if the idea ends up not being validated and you toss it, they’ll still help you plot a path forward. They’re there to support you, no matter where you are in the entrepreneurial journey. 

TNT: Love it. Ok, last question. How do you see these accelerators changing your business in the future? 

Conor: For me, the program really helped to solidify a lot of things for me. Going through the process of further market validation and really honing in on my why and my messaging, was incredibly valuable. It really upped my confidence in myself and my confidence in Pathfinder. 

It also allowed me to practice my quick pitch and how to connect with people in a genuine manner, to get them excited for the Pathfinder 365 journey. What am I telling people? Why should they be interested? What connects them to Pathfinder 365? 

And lastly, it really helped me make more connections and feel more tied to the startup community in Saskatoon. Co.Labs is a big central figure in the community, and being in this program introduced me to other founders, alumni of the Co.Labs programs, as well as different vendors and community supporters. 

Kenneth: I agree with Conor - the program definitely gave us a lot more confidence. It boosted our confidence in our business plan, and gave us great steps to move forward, to push the business forward. 

Gaining knowledge from all the different speakers, learning what investors really want, how to formulate our pitch deck to appeal to investors, validating our idea - all of these lessons were invaluable. 

TNT: Amazing, love it! Thank you so much, Conor and Kenneth, for sitting down with me and talking about the Co.Labs and Cultivator programs - you make me want to take them! *laughs* 

Conor: Thanks Amanda! 

Kenneth: Thanks Amanda! Had a blast.