Platform Calgary is accepting applications for the fall cohort of its Platform Pre-Accelerator, a free 12-week program designed to help local software founders move from a promising idea to a market-ready product and recurring revenue.
Applications close Sunday, August 30, with the program running from September 14 to December 4.
Open to founders building in the Calgary region, the Platform Pre-Accelerator focuses on a challenge that trips up many early-stage startups: turning positive feedback into evidence that customers are prepared to pay.
Rather than following a conventional schedule of workshops and classroom sessions, participants receive access to a self-serve content library, group coaching in small pods, office hours and technical support. The majority of their time is expected to be spent building products, speaking with potential buyers and developing their own sales pipelines.
During the first two weeks, founders work to identify a specific customer, validate a problem that customers will pay to solve and put a working product into users’ hands. By the end of week four, the goal is to have a market-ready product, defined pricing and an active sales funnel.
The final eight weeks concentrate on generating revenue. Participants track discovery calls, booked demonstrations, user signups, paying customers and contracts that renew. Founders who demonstrate strong progress and commitment can unlock more intensive coaching, one-on-one advisory support and sessions with sector experts.
Artificial intelligence is integrated across the program’s product-development and sales processes. Participants record discovery calls and use AI to analyze transcripts, assess the urgency of a customer’s problem and identify which market segments are converting most effectively.
Applicants do not need to have a product, but they must be able to identify a specific operational problem and provide evidence that it is real through customer conversations, direct industry experience or documented demand.
The program is intended for startups selling a proprietary software product to private-sector businesses or consumers through a recurring model such as a subscription, per-seat fee, annual licence or paid pilot that converts into an ongoing contract.
Eligible companies must have less than $50,000 in annualized revenue. At least one team member must be capable of shipping software quickly, either by writing code or directing AI tools to do so, and founders must commit at least 15 hours per week throughout the program.
Platform Calgary does not charge a fee, take equity or make a claim on intellectual property developed by participating companies. The program is offered with funding from the Calgary Innovation Coalition and Alberta Innovates.
Founders can review the full eligibility criteria and apply online before the August 30 deadline.
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