BDC Capital partner Thomas Park said Techstars’ recent decision to end startup programming in some U.S. cities and Toronto is a “big yellow flag” for Canadian accelerators and incubators. “Now is the time to rethink the whole model,” said Park during a panel event Tuesday hosted by The Logic. (The Logic)

Talking point: Park said accelerators in Canada may not be able to rely on the same amount of government funding going forward and should adapt for that shortfall. Michelle McBane, managing director at early-stage fund StandUp Ventures, said redesigning the accelerator model could benefit founders at a time when raising capital on favourable terms has been challenging. “For founders, this model is very expensive,” she said. “The folks who write a relatively small cheque take between seven and 10 per cent of the company.” McBane added that accelerators may not be as vital to Canada’s startup ecosystem as it evolves. “There are other ways now to get a company off the ground and find advisors and mentors,” she said.