Deadline: March 11, 2025
Applications are open for the Siakam EdTech Engine Accelerator Program 2025. The Siakam EdTech Engine is a 12-week virtual accelerator program designed to help early-stage EdTech startups scale their impact. Co-founded by NBA champion Pascal Siakam’s PS43 Foundation and powered by DMZ, the program offers mentorship, resources, real-world testing, and funding opportunities.
Whether you need support raising capital, accessing industry-leading mentors, tapping into a new customer base or all of the above, DMZ’s globally-recognized programs give startup founders the resources and connections needed to grow a successful startup.
Benefits
The program includes:
- A virtual 12-week accelerator from April to July 2025:
- Startups will be required to commit 1-2 hours on average per week throughout the duration of the program.
- Access to expert mentorship and goal-setting support from DMZ:
- Bi-weekly 1:1 sessions with dedicated Program Leads, offering strategic guidance and progress tracking
- Bi-weekly 1:1 mentorship sessions with Experts-in-Residences to help founders achieve their business objectives
- Monthly workshops led by EdTech industry leaders
- Monthly peer-2-peer meetings to connect, leverage, and grow your network
- Perks and benefits valued at $20,000 in business savings, including services like AWS and Google Cloud for Startups
- Access to PS43 Foundation and DMZ’s network:
- Through PS43’s network, startups will get direct connections to school boards, educators, and students to test their product in real classroom environments, collect valuable feedback, and refine their solution to meet the needs of end-users effectively
- Startups will get direct exposure to leaders in Pascal Siakam’s PS43 Foundation network
- Startups gain perks of joining DMZ’s global founder community, including access to exclusive events at DMZ’s HQ, potential investor connections, and more.
- A Demo Day with $50,000 in grant prizes:
- Demo Day marks the conclusion of the program in mid-July; exact date to be announced soon. The Demo Day event will take place at Google’s Toronto HQ.
- Startups will present their solutions to a panel of judges, including program founder and NBA champion Pascal Siakam, competing for grants of $30,000, $15,000, and $5,000.
Eligibility
- Tech-enabled solution: Your product addresses a real challenge in K-12 education.
- Strong leadership: At least one full-time founder and an in-house technical lead.
- Market-ready product: A validated MVP with early feedback and market potential.
- Geographic focus: Operational readiness in North America with plans to scale globally.
- Collaborative team: A coachable, growth-oriented team eager to learn and innovate.
While not required, startups with solutions that support underserved communities and/or offer bilingual capabilities in English and French will be given priority consideration.
Application
Submit all required materials by Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
For more information, visit Siakam EdTech Engine Accelerator.
