The founders of Scent Trunk were confident their innovative platform for selling cologne would pass the smell test with online shoppers. The three Queen’s students knew, though, they needed support to get their fledgling business off the ground.

They turned to GrindSpaceXL-Kingston, a business acceleration program for high-potential technology startups. The program, delivered at Innovation Park, is a partnership between Queen’s University, which includes Industry Partnerships and PARTEQ Innovations, along with Launch Lab.

“As a first-time entrepreneur, the mentorship I received through GrindSpaceXL-Kingston helped me to avoid costly mistakes,” says Will Yin, Chief Executive Officer of Scent Trunk, which participated in the program in 2014. “I am still in touch with those mentors. At Innovation Park, not only did we have access to working space, but the interaction with other startups was amazing.”

Participants can draw on numerous resources through their interactions with Queen’s, including shared lab and office space at Innovation Park. They also benefit from intellectual property and financial expertise available through PARTEQ Innovations and mentoring and coaching services provided by Launch Lab.

“Queen’s University is delighted to lead the delivery of GrindSpaceXL,” says Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). “This exciting venture combines and leverages our strengths with those of our partners, expanding programs and services available to startups in the region, including those emerging from our own campus.”

GrindSpaceXL-Kingston is targeted at entrepreneurs who have developed a prototype, identified a market and organized or incorporated their company. The intensive 12-week program, which begins in September, helps companies improve customer traction, grow sales and prepare for investment.

Both student and non-student companies can apply for the fall 2015 cohort of GrindSpaceXL-Kingston until Aug. 7.

GrindSpaceXL is supported by the National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and forms part of a broader collaboration with Invest Ottawa and the L-SPARK Incubator and Accelerator to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem in Eastern Ontario.

Visit the GrindSpaceXL website for more information and to apply for the program.