Accelerator Program

Scale Your Business with Clarity, Discipline, and the Right Industry Support. 

Slurp founder with product

The Accelerator is perfect for entrepreneurs who have gained early market traction and are ready to scale. Designed and led by experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, the Accelerator combines practical mentorship, strategic guidance, and direct access to Canada’s consumer packaged goods ecosystem to help founders overcome the operational and commercial challenges of growth. By strengthening the fundamentals that drive sustainable scale – from strategy and operations to retail readiness and leadership – founders are better equipped to grow with clarity, confidence, and discipline. 

Why Venturepark?

Building a successful consumer brand requires more than great products and ambition. It requires the right guidance, practical experience, and meaningful industry connections.

Venturepark is different because we are:

  • Built by operators with decades of experience building, scaling, and leading consumer businesses. 
  • Purpose-built for Canadian food, beverage, and wellness companies, with programming tailored to the realities of this industry. 
  • Focused on execution, helping founders solve real business challenges rather than simply learning concepts. 
  • Deeply connected to the industry, providing access to retailers, distributors, brokers, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. 
  • Committed to long-term success, supporting entrepreneurs before, during, and after the Accelerator through continued mentorship and the Venturepark Growth Hub.

Program Experience

The Accelerator provides founders with an integrated growth experience that combines:

  • Weekly one-on-one mentorship from experienced Entrepreneurs in Residence.
  • Practical workshops focused on scaling consumer brands.
  • Strategic planning and growth roadmap development.
  • Peer learning alongside an exceptional community of founders.
  • Showcase your business at our Venturepark Summits and during the Sobeys Look for Local session.
  • Opportunity to engage in a virtual group sessionand to interact with our founder Arlene Dickinson and our Strategic Partners.

What You’ll Gain

  • Strategic Clarity: Develop a deeper understanding of your business, customers, category, and competitive landscape so you can make better growth decisions with confidence.

  • A Scalable Growth Strategy: Build a practical roadmap that aligns your vision, priorities, operations, and financial planning into a clear path forward.

  • Stronger Business Fundamentals: Improve the capabilities that matter most to sustainable growth – from pricing and profitability to operations, supply chain, and retail & commercial success.

  • Cohort Relationships: Develop new relationships with fellow entrepreneurs to share inspiration, knowledge, experiences, and ideas.
  • Practical Mentorship: Work alongside experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who understand the realities of building consumer brands and provide practical guidance tailored to your business.

  • Meaningful Industry Connections: Expand your network through relationships with retailers, distributors, brokers, investors, service providers, industry experts, and fellow CPG entrepreneurs across Canada.

  • Access to the Sobeys Local Program: Gain direct access to Sobeys’ Local Program through dedicated sessions with its Local Development Specialists. Learn what Sobeys looks for in emerging brands and strengthen your retail readiness for growth across Sobeys banners.

  • A Community That Continues to Grow With You: Graduation is not the end of your journey. Continue learning, building relationships, and accessing support through the Venturepark Growth Hub and our growing alumni community.

 

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250+

Founders Supported Across Canada

 

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$250 M

Collective Founder Annual Revenue

 

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90%+

Of Brands Supported are still Thriving in Their Business

 

Apply for Cohort 23, commencing February 2027

"The greatest asset that this program brings aside from the extensive learning is community. Grateful to have this program and talented alumni for support! "
- Andy Fennell - Gravity Coffee - Cohort 19
"The weekly sessions are amazing. We were able to learn how to strategize and plan a business, from start to finish."
- Jessica Sheppard & Rhaelyn Gillespie - Mintier - Cohort 11
"I was very honoured to be accepted into the program. I started with 0 sales and 4 years later we have over a million dollars in revenue."
- Suzie Yorke - Love Good Fats - Cohort 4

Is the Accelerator Right for You?

This program is designed for entrepreneurs who have demonstrated early market traction and are ready to build businesses for long-term growth.

  • You operate a food, beverage, or health and wellness business that is incorporated in Canada.
  • You have an in-market product with early commercial traction (typically over $100K in annual revenue).
  • You are ready to strengthen your strategy, operations, and growth capabilities.
  • You welcome practical mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.
  • You value accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Limited Spots Available

Frequently Asked Questions

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