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Program Overview

The TechAccel Program is one of the McGill Engine’s key co-curricular/experiential learning programs. It supports early-stage student ventures with Lean Startup Methodology training, 1:1 business mentorship, and funding. The program runs three times a year during the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters, each cohort is about 18 weeks long. 

Key Dates

  1. Questions about the program? Attend an online info session on September 4, 2025. -Register here. 
  2. Apply by the TechAccel Program application deadline, September 8, 2025, 11:59pm ET. -Apply here.
  3. Accepted teams will be notified via email by September 30, 2025.
  4. Attend a kick-off meeting to meet the other teams in your cohort and get in touch with your team's assigned mentor in the week of October 1 (in person and virtual options will be provided).
  5. Follow the Lean Startup Methodology modules online via the Empowered Startup Platforms and advance your team's project/venture with the help of your assigned mentor.
  6. Attend monthly cohort check-in meetings.
  7. Submit progress and final reports and complete mandatory surveys.
  8. Present your venture at the TechAccel Showcase in September 2026.

Eligibility

  • McGill student teams of 2-4 people.

  • Lead Applicant:

    • Must be a McGill student (undergraduate, graduate, or postdoc) enrolled full-time (all faculties are eligible)

    • The lead applicant must be returning as a full or part-time student for at least one more semester (for example, if you are applying for the Fall TechAccel Program the lead applicant must be returning in the Winter semester, and if you are applying for the Winter or Summer TechAccel Program they must be returning in the Fall semester)

  • To be eligible for the TechAccel project funding, at least one team member must be enrolled in a faculty* at McGill University. (* Students of McGill School of Continuing Studies are eligible to receive mentorship through the TechAccel program but are not eligible for TechAccel project funding.)

  • A team that already has an established business model with recurring revenues is not eligible.

  • A team that has prior funding of over $25,000 is not eligible.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Level of technological and business innovation. Does the team have sufficient competitive advantage/differentiation from similar ideas?

  • Educational potential/experiential learning opportunity for students. Will the TechAccel program contribute to the team acquiring new business and technical skills?

  • Clearly defined and validated problem. Is the idea/solution appropriate for the problem identified?

  • Plan to build and test an MVP to try and achieve product-market fit. Have appropriate milestones been identified in order to advance the idea toward a viable business/solution?

  • Level of market and impact potential.

Impact Since 2016

Over 350 students across and beyond McGill received training and mentorship through the TechAccel Program. 

$265K+ in funding
granted
23% female participation rate
80% application
success rate
+15% innovation skills*
142 startup projects supported
+19% entrepreneurship skills*

* based on self-efficacy surveys from 2019 to Summer 2023

Program Key Benefits

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McGill student participants receive Student Experience Record*
 

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Increase your entrepreneurial and innovation skills 

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1:1 coaching and mentorship from our TechAccel Mentors
            

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Networking opportunities and community events

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Potential project funding or a summer stipend 
 

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Develop your pitch and presentation skills 

 

 


* TechAccel is an approvedCo-Curricular Work-Integrated Learning program. 

 

TechAccel Self Assessment Tool

Yes No
Have you searched your idea online? *
Search it online to see if it's already out there and come back for Q1!
Is it already commercialized by a company? *
Compared to the existing commercial solutions, is your idea/solution faster better cheaper? If not, you should come up with a new idea!
Have you spoken to stakeholders about the problem that your idea is trying to solve? *
Please identify the stakeholders and schedule interviews with them to further validate/invalidate your hypothesis!
How many interviews have you conducted? You can start your 1st iteration of the Lean Startup Canvas!
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