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Work towards Investment Readiness

Stage: Acceleration
Industry: Industry-agnostic

X-1 Accelerator

This program is designed to support early-traction startups that are working towards scaling their business, expanding their go-to-market strategy, and preparing for investor fundraising.

Key learnings

  • Perfecting your pitch
  • Communicating a strong brand promise
  • Refining your go-to-market strategy & aligning your sales activities
  • Developing financial and accounting best-practices
  • Shaping a sustainable revenue model for your business
  • Establishing funding pathways and preparing for investment
  • Planning to properly support the growth of your company.
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Program format

Dates: June 1 – August 5,Ìý2026

Days:

  • June 1 – June 5: Monday to Friday (full days, in person)
  • June 8 – August 5: Mondays, variable schedule (virtual and hybrid)

Time:

  • June 1 – June 5: Full days (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST)
  • June 8 – August 5: Variable, primarily Monday mornings and scheduled 1:1 sessions
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Program delivery

The program begins with an immersive, full-week in-person experience from Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 5, held at the Dobson Centre.

The remainder of the program runs from June 8 to August 5 and is delivered virtually:

  • Weekly group coaching sessions (Monday mornings)
  • Weekly coaching sessions
  • In-person industry events

Who is this program for?

We welcome teams that:

  • have at least one º£½ÇÉçÇø affiliated co-founder e.g., student, faculty, staff or alumni (graduated within the last 10 years).
  • are incorporated in Canada.
  • demonstrate early traction in the form of a functioning MVP, early users/customers or pre-seed investment.
  • are currently fundraising or aspire to be fundraising within the next six months.
  • have potential for exponential growth to eventually serve global markets.
  • are composed of multi-disciplinary professionals with at least one technical co-founder, and can build your business upon a technology, science, or idea that is significantly or radically disruptive.
  • can commit to attending all the workshops and executing the project work (required to maintain your participation in the program)
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Have questions about the program?

Email us at dobson.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca for more information.
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