L-SPARK and Queen’s University Launch Women in Tech Accelerator: Compass North

L-SPARK, in partnership with Queen’s University announced the launch of Compass North, a program designed for women entrepreneurs. 

Compass North is a Kingston-based accelerator program for women entrepreneurs operating a technology-based business in the Belleville-Kingston-Brockville region. 

Ignited by Queens University and L-SPARK, the five-month program features hands-on mentoring, tactical workshops and a tight-knit community of entrepreneurs who ‘get it’. This program is designed to help grow women-led companies with hustle and heart.

The importance of this program cannot be overstated. Women make up one-third of Canadian entrepreneurs and are even further underrepresented in STEM pursuits. Only 13 percent of women-led small- to medium-sized businesses focus on tech, science, engineering or Mathematics.

L-SPARK Executive Managing Director Leo Lax said he was proud to partner with Queen’s University in launching this accelerator. “Our aim is to help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses through mentorship, strategic training, and access to our community,” he said.

L-SPARK Senior Marketing Manager Stef Reid said it was important to host an accelerator that put women at the forefront. “We look forward to contributing to the advancement of women in the Canadian startup and tech ecosystem through this initiative,” she said. 

Queen’s University Research and Innovation Partnerships Director Janice Mady said selected participants will benefit from one-on-one mentorship with experts who have built technology companies. “This program will help women entrepreneurs in the Kingston region to grow their existing technology-based companies and achieve new heights of success,” she said. 

The program offers a comprehensive overview for participants. Tactical workshops will provide deep dives on digital marketing, sales, product, PR and more with incredible expert advisors and networking opportunities. 

Compass North has enlisted an advisory group to oversee the program, including Shopify’s Global Wellness Specialist  Chivon John, Connections Silicon Valley chief executive officer Joanne Fedeyko, and entrepreneur Mallory Rowan.

Meanwhile, every founder will be paired with a mentor to help plan strategically and reach goals and objectives. Further, Compass North is cohort-based so participants can have the support of their peers throughout the duration of the program.

Compass North is supported by the Government of Canada through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund, which is providing $3.2 million for Queen’s University to design and deliver programs and services to accelerate, train, mentor and provide resources to women-led companies in the community. 

Applications for the intensive five-month mentorship are open until March 20. Visit the website for more.

Disclosure: This article includes a client of an Espacio portfolio company