Scale AI Supercluster Acceleration Program

Scale AI, one of Canada's Global Innovation Superclusters, funds an acceleration program for accelerators like Zen Launchpad to provide start-ups and established companies with funding to explore incorporating AI into any aspect of the value chain. This means that start-ups can gain funding to explore how to incorporate AI into their business. The Scale AI acceleration program offers funding to support businesses at these 4 stages of incorporating AI into their customer offerings:

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1. AI Exploration - the early stage in which your venture is receiving training, or getting familiarized with the potential of an AI solution and assessing how it would impact your customer offerings.

2. AI Canvas / Scoping Advisory - your venture is familiar with the value proposition of an AI solution, but would like to develop an AI roadmap and needs support.

3. ML Experts / Interns - your venture needs support from an ML expert for early stage developments of an MVP.

4. Proof of Concept - your venture is ready to develop a mini project and has people employed to develop the feasibility project/MVP/pilot.​

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You can choose to begin at Stage 1 and progress through Zen Launchpad's Scale AI Acceleration Program while benefiting from financial support along the way. Alternatively, if your company is ready for a more advanced stage, you can begin there. We'll be happy to discuss with you the option that works best.

Financial Support

The Scale AI Acceleration Program provides funding at different levels for each stage, and the funding must be used toward training, consulting or services from AI experts. In Stage 4, Proof of Concept, funds can be also used to pay the salaries of internal resources with AI expertise. Much like other government programs, the funding is provided as a grant toward verifiable expenses at the end of the program, and not in advance.

Zen Launchpad is an accelerator with AI training, consulting, and service capabilities in-house, therefore we have structured our programs such that you will receive services from us at each stage except Stage 4.  Grant funds will go toward the costs of each stage as follows:

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1. AI Exploration - The entire grant amount will be applied toward the AI training and services provided through the acceleration program delivered by Zen Launchpad. This makes this introductory program free to your startup and you will come away with both a clear understanding of how AI/ML can be used in your business, and a plan that can take you through the next stages.

2. AI Canvas / Scoping Advisory - Just over half of the grant amount will be applied toward the AI training and services provided through the acceleration program delivered by Zen Launchpad, and and the remainder may be used toward either engaging Zen Launchpad for additional AI/ML services, or external AI/ML experts at your discretion.

3. ML Experts / Interns - A portion of this grant will be applied to cover the AI services delivered by Zen Launchpad, and the remainder may be used toward either engaging Zen Launchpad for additional AI/ML services, or external AI/ML experts at your discretion.

4. Proof of Concept - Funds from this grant may be used for:

   • portion of gross wages, salaries or contracts incurred which are specifically identified and measured as having been performed for POC activities;

   • costs related to equipment, room, co-working space, lab, facilities and supplies including rental, operation and maintenance costs;

   • materials, supplies, software and licenses and user fees;

   • dissemination costs (publication costs and other activities); and

   • other direct costs which can be specifically identified and measured as incurred in the performance of POC activities.​