Rebecca McAllister and Robyn Keystone
The Georgian Bay Accelerator (GBA) will partner with the Business Council of Westchester’s Westchester Innovation Network (WIN) in 2024 to match Canadian innovators with U.S.A. businesses and institutions.
The first Georgian Bay-WIN collaboration will pair The Active Reader, an early childhood literacy web platform, with the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester in White Plains.
“We’re passionate about advancing high-growth companies in the Georgian Bay area, and we know that building a successful business takes more than just capital—it takes ideas, momentum, and a supportive community. That’s why a partnership with WIN gives our accelerator’s participants and alumni companies the essential community support that they need to advance their business goals in a North American marketplace,” said Peter Heinke, Managing Director of the Georgian Bay Accelerator.
The Collingwood, Ontario-based GBA prepares Georgian Bay businesses for global success with world-class mentorship and connections, matching young companies with seasoned business and sector executives and founders that can fast-track growth. WIN’s goal is driving economic development, innovation, and growth in Westchester County.
“As WIN enters its third year, we are very excited about bringing a new group of innovators to Westchester County, where they will have the opportunity to test their products and services in real-world situations that will give the innovators valuable feedback as they refine and scale their concepts,” said BCW president and CEO Marsha Gordon.
Rebecca McAllister and Robyn Keystone founded The Active Reader, which is based on scientifically proven literacy-teaching methods consisting of easy-to-adopt exercises, multi-sensory activities and daily routines.
“Since graduating from the South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Center’s (SBEC) Starter Company Program and entering the GBA, we have had the privilege of working with a wide range of mentors that have empowered us as entrepreneurs and helped us rethink and build The Active Reader so that we can grow on a global level. This match with the YMCA and WIN will help us reach that global stage,” said Keystone.
The YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester will welcome The Active Reader to its Early Learning Center to test the platform with preschoolers.
“Working with the WIN innovators has allowed the YMCA’s staff to learn about new technologies and consider how we can incorporate these innovations into the work we do,” said Cynthia Delfino, president & DEO of the YMCA of Central & Northern Westchester.
This partnership wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Laura Allan, Director Innovation & Entrepreneurship of Wilfrid Laurier University, who has supported the Georgian Bay Accelerator on its path to success and has been active in supporting WLU based entrepreneurs with the WIN program.
The GBA is situated in a prime location for business growth, a four-season recreation area that young entrepreneurs are relocated to from all over the province and with close access to some of Canada’s top universities.
Since its start in 2020, the GBA has advised over 20 companies through the Accelerator. These companies have generated more than 100 jobs and seen on average a 300% increase in revenue.
Can Your Business Benefit from WIN?
The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life through the support of its diverse business ecosystem in Westchester County through its WIN initiative. Its network is composed of small and mid-sized companies, professional services firms, and non-profits along with some of the most well-known brands in the world like IBM, Pepsico, MasterCard, Heineken, Danone, Morgan Stanley, and Regeneron. It also includes some of the largest hospitals and healthcare systems in the world and many colleges and universities.
To learn more about becoming an Innovation Partner or joining the WIN program, visit https://thebcw.org/westchester-innovation-network/
