HOLT PROGRAM
our value offer |
| We find you customers, AI experts, and investments, all while supporting back-end administration. |
THE CAPITAL
$30K CAD upfront
up to $100K available if milestones are met
potential investments from Holt angels & institutions
potential for capital calls from Holt or Holdun
POTENTIAL CLIENTS
access to key people in financial institutions
obtain real feedback on product(s)
potentially close deals with paying customers
THE SUPPORT
super advisors provide one day a week over 12-weeks
access to world class PhDs to guide the teams
coaching & workshops (pitch sessions, lunch & learns, etc.)
guidance from industry & tech experts
bonus: visibility, free workspace, service provider discounts
THE ECOSYSTEM
potential to partner with our network of Holt Almuni
embed yourself into the Canadian community (from company incorporation to immigration visas)
be recognized as a thought leader from coast to coast during Holt’s cross-Canada roadshow
program details |
| We will select the top 10 fintechs from around the world to partake in our 12-week program. |
IMPACT TEAM
Holt’s managing partners, staff and advisors will meet the team weekly to review their sprints.
OUR ADVISOR COMMITMENT
Receive guidance from the most relevant advisors within our 300+ advisor army. Potential to close deals through our network!
CROSS-CANADA ROADSHOW
Pitch throughout the different Canadian ecosystems & refine through feedback given from advisors from all over Canada.
HOLT FINTECH SHOW
Each team is showcased in a Demo Day like no other! Your final pitch will have an audience of over 500 attendees (advisors, potential partners/investors & key industry players)
PITCH & BRAND
Each startup must pitch to our partners own your pitch & build your brand through storytelling, thought leaderships and practice, practice, practice!
TRAINING & FRAMEWORKS
Tailored trainings given by the Holt team and Holt’s Program Partners. Lunch & Learns with key industry players in an intimate setting.
startups we select |
| We seek startups that we know we can best serve, and those that are a good fit in our Holt Accelerator Family. |
FOUNDERS
- founder-market-fit, skills to execute, preference for industry experience
- Coachable, honest, genuine, committed and demonstrating integrity
CUSTOMERS
- Does this create 10x value over current processes?
- Early customers with potential to improve unit economics
- Heavily validated product, vetted by our partner network
TECHNOLOGY
- Highly relevant to solving the problem and creating a company “moat”
- Working prototype or proven to be technologically feasible
FUNDING (preference)
- Family, Friends and Fools money, and / or pre-seed money
- Seed funding, in need of a bridge round
TIMING & MARKET
- Billion dollar market opportunity, with potential to be +100M evaluated company
- Uniqueness, defence ability, barriers to entry, competition
selection process |
| Here are the key milestones for you to remember |
APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 9th, 2020 11h59 PM EST
ROUND 1
Application Evaluation
ROUND 2
Video Interview
SELECTION DAY
Final Round: June 15, 2020
cohort timeline |
| Our 12-week program is curated to help you succeed and reach your goals. |
MAKE US AN OFFER
July 2020
KICK-OFF WEEK
July 27, 2020
HOLT FINTECH SHOW
September 14, 2020
WRAP-UP WEEK
October 12, 2020
got questions? we got answers |
| Everything you need to know about Holt Fintech Accelerator. |
Is this a resident program? Meaning do we have to be physically located for the duration of the program up in Canada ?
Yes, we strongly recommend that at least 1 of your key management personnel be there for the program as there are significant opportunities for networking, business development and funding to be made the best use of. However, we can be flexible with the schedule if required and in that case, we will recommend you to be there for the following: Speed dating with mentors (200+), Fintech show (Corp VCs, VCs, Biz Dev., mentors, etc.), Deals days across Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary).
You're an "AI" Fintech accelerator, we're not an AI company, so why do you think we're a good fit ?
We are open to non-AI fintech and can also assist in building an AI component through our AI partner Stradigi AI.
Can you tell me about some of the deal sizes that have recently happened for US-based companies that you have incubated?
One of our portfolio companies raised a $3million round post-program. We have several others closing their couple million seed rounds. High potential for US-based companies to raise their rounds. We’ve only been around for 18 months (2 cohorts), hence why no Series A, but companies are en route.
Has any "influencer" integrated a product from your incubator companies into their own brands in the last 3 years?
Yes. We closed 30 deals, half with FIs as customers, and a half with institutional investors as lead or strategics for our 18 portfolio companies.
I am not a FinTech - is there an opportunity for me ?
With the wide basket of customer segments that you are targeting (Accounting & payroll, Gov. FIs, etc.) in the payments space, we feel there could be a strong long-term partnership as we have with the rest of our portfolio. The FinTech focused Holt program is much beyond just capital raising. Our key selection criteria for our portfolio is our ability to partner with them and leverage our network for their expansion. You get significant opportunities to:
- Raise from the FInetch show where all VCs, Corp VCs attend (video link in the signature), from the deal days that we do in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary and also from the Holt Family
- Network with 200+ mentors/advisors/investors (you can check the profiles on our website) – these are a big source of fund-raising and business development avenue
How much does it cost?
The program operates a standard accelerator model, whereby we provide investment and support, in exchange for equity. These terms are flexible, depending on the stage of your company, and your needs. Free office space is provided for the duration of the accelerator program, and for an additional 6 months thereafter. Startups are expected to pay for their own travel and accommodation.
How many team members can come?
The program is for founders (those with +10% share of the equity in the company); however, if other key members are required to accelerate your growth, then we encourage those members to also attend.
Do you provide visa support to international founders that need a visa to enter Canada?
Do we have to go to Montreal?
How do you define FinTech (who do you look for)?
We are already generating $3M in revenue - can you help us?
Given the quality of our advisors, access to an applied AI lab, connections to $1 billion in FinTech funding, and being embedded within the FinTech ecosystem, we can certainly help you. That said, our accelerator model is dependent on receiving a certain level of equity for our investment and services provided. While our terms are flexible, we must obtain a certain threshold of equity to ensure the “venture math” works out.
How much equity do you take?
Our terms are flexible, and in fact, we get the founders to make us an offer. That said, we allow 15 startups to make an offer, of which we only select 10. The offer consists of a first CAD$30K cash investment and CAD$200K of services converted at your current cap rate, with potential for an additional CAD$100K follow-on cash investment if milestones are met.
Will you be opening other centres in Canada?
Too early to tell, but open to suggestions
What stage startup are you looking for?
We look for pre-seed to seed stage companies. This is anything from a couple of PhDs with a proven technology that’s been commercially validated, to a startup with a product on the market generating revenue and now seeking their growth levers.
What is the level of commitment required by the startup?
We expect the founders to be full-time, therefore, 100% committed to advancing their startup to their next milestone.
Do you take equity?
Yes, we do take equity. Our terms are flexible (you make us an offer), which includes up to CAD$130K cash, but in exchange for equity.
Who is the corporate sponsor and is the aim to do a pilot with them in a particular market?
We have Advisors who represent over 40 financial institutions, alongside several corporate partners who are looking for POCs. During selection day, they will advise if it’s worth conducting a POC, then we will invest in the teams most likely to successfully implement a POC.
What is the program?
After applying, we will provide feedback from our Advisors regarding the applicant’s fit within our ecosystem. The top ~30 will be invited to pitch in front of 100+ financial institutions, investors, partners and advisors. They will also receive a tour of Montreal’s current tech ecosystem. Based on feedback from the selection day VIP attendees, the top 10 will be selected into the program, which includes:
- Working with the Financial Institution and selected FinTech on agreed upon terms for POC
- $130K in cash, in exchange for equity (flexible terms)
- Additional follow-on capital from partners
- Weekly meetings with an Impact Team, consisting of managing partners and Holt Advisors that focus on supporting your business objectives.
- Access to our applied AI partners, and discounted costs from them or other service providers if further support is needed
- Visibility and networking opportunities through our Cross-Canada Roadshow, Canada’s FinTech Forum, Career Fair, and Fintech Show.