Raking 4th in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Canada is known as the Silicon Valley of the North. With numerous international talents, government-backed financing, incubators and accelerators, tax breaks, and even special Startup Visas, Canada has cultivated a thriving startup ecosystem. Today, Canada is regarded as one of the best places in the world to start a business; owing to the incentives and the country's welcoming attitude toward entrepreneurs.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all incubator and accelerator programs in Canada that can help you get your business started in Canada. The incubators and accelerators in this list have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages.
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN CANADA
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Canada
Full list of ideation stage startup incubators in Canada:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs without an idea
Need to have an idea: No
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 3 months
Small Economy Works is an initiative that provides the platform, program, and opportunities to help individuals and small communities in rural, remote, and Northern Canada thrive. They aim to revitalize small economies via culturally sensitive and regionally adapted entrepreneurship programs, holistic leadership training, and social innovation programs. Their signature "Inspire" program assists young people aged 18 to 30 years old to start their own enterprises and enables them to improve and apply their knowledge and ideas as they progress through the program. The "Inspire" program is presently available in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 3 months
Every summer, The Summer Institute stationed at the J Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management & Entrepreneurship at the University of New Brunswick welcomes prospective entrepreneurs who wish to explore a business idea. To help turn your ideas into a viable business, the program provides up to $5,000 in living expenses, $2,000 in prototype costs, and skills training and mentoring. Participation in the Summer Institute is free of charge, and no equity is taken from participating enterprises.
Radius SFU
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Health, Refugee Livelihood, Social Enterprises
Duration: 2 - 6 months
RADIUS is Simon Fraser University's innovation platform that aims to utilize its power to reform the economy, find community-led solutions, and redistribute leadership that prioritizes people who have historically and repeatedly been excluded. As such, they provide mentorship, advice, and training to individuals, organizations, social businesses, and students through social innovation and lab and incubator programs.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 4 months
Striving to uncover and propagate tomorrow's leaders, York Entrepreneurship Development Insitute (YEDI) offer structured programs and mentoring and provides visionary leaders with access to the skills and resources they need to realize their vision. To ensure that important ideas are fostered and developed, they offer various certificates, diplomas, and venture-in-residence programs for Canadians and international entrepreneurs. Amongst these, their incubator is designed to help entrepreneurs form their business plan, executive summary, and a suitable business model ready to pitch and bring to the market.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 3 months
As the name suggests, Ready2Launch is a summer accelerator program for students and researchers to convert their ideas into marketable products that are ready to be launched. Through the immersive program, they assist participants in meeting the goals they establish for themselves and maintain accountability. They help entrepreneurs build their startups through workshops on customer problems, product value, and business models, as well as provide guidance and advice by successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals as you create and test your ideas. Then, you may leverage your newfound contacts and momentum to launch your venture and propel your business to new heights.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Social Enterprise, Women-led Enterprise
Duration: 3 - 4 months
As the center of all entrepreneurial endeavors at the University of Windsor, EPICentre organizes over 60 workshops and events annually, ranging from interactive activities, hands-on workshops, and educational lectures, to engaging networking events. Students, alumni, staff, and the community are welcome to participate in their programs to discover entrepreneurial thinking, gain practical opportunities, and move their ideas forward. EPICentre members get access to mentorship, co-working spaces, contacts, and financial support to help them bring their concept to market.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Black Entrepreneurs, Indigenous Entrepreneurs
Duration: 2 years
Futurpreneur Canada is a non-profit organization that fuels the business dreams of Canada's young entrepreneurs. Specifically targeted at entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 of various backgrounds, they provide them with financing, coaching, and support resources for all stages of business development. Their renowned mentorship program pairs budding entrepreneurs with a business professional from a network of over 2,400 volunteer mentors to coach them before launch. Along with their partner, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Futurpreneur Canada also provides up to $60,000 to entrepreneurs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 1 - 3 years
Founded by the University of Waterloo, Velocity Incubator encourages and supports entrepreneurs to establish ventures from concept to scale. From the earliest stages of development, they provide the circumstances for founders to thrive. They provide connections, practical business skills, a supportive community, a space to grow a team, and fundraising opportunities to early-stage innovators to develop their ideas and businesses.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
Volta is Canada East Coast's innovation hub where entrepreneurs could work, learn, and connect with like-minded innovators in the area. As a non-profit organization founded by founders for founders, they assist startups in navigating the typical challenges that technology-enabled businesses face. They routinely conduct educational seminars, training opportunities, mentorship programs, networking events, pitch competitions, and workshops led by industry leaders for digital enthusiasts looking to further their skills and ideas. Volta's training programs help entrepreneurs go through the complicated hurdles of starting, running, and developing a firm and help them get to the next level faster.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
The Accelerator Centre is Canada's #1 private business accelerator which assists entrepreneurs in actualizing their ideas and achieving their goals. They offer an incubation program that will provide you with programs, events, connection to partners, community, and fundraising opportunities to help you get your business started. You'll go through four stages in the program: finding a desirable product, establishing a solid company foundation, getting your first clients and investors, and scaling internationally.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 6 months - 2 years
Established in 2001, the New Ventures BC (NVBC) is a non-profit organization with the purpose to recognize, encourage, and foster entrepreneurship and innovation in British Columbia's technology industry. They conduct the provision of education, mentorship, networking, cash awards, grant funding, and publicity for early-stage startups; including the annual New Ventures VC Competition and Distance Venture Acceleration Program. Their programs and one-on-one mentorship are available to help you whether you're in the ideation stage, ready to scale, or looking to pivot.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Cybersecurity, Health
Duration: 4 months
As the name suggests, Lab2Market assists entrepreneurial researchers in taking their ideas from the lab to the market. Established by founders and operators with strong experience in the market, you will have best-in-class mentorship to help you through the process of commercializing your research. Through the program, researchers will be assisted in validating their ideas and finding business or commercial value based on lean methodology. They also provide each team with up to $15,000 to support any business costs incurred throughout the program.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Ocean Technology, AgriTech, BioTech, HealthTech, CleanTech Software
Duration: -
Formed by the merger between Innovacrop and Nova Scotia Business Inc., Invest Nova Scotia comes together to promote innovation, ideas, and companies to prosper in Nova Scotia. They support Nova Scotia businesses of all sizes and provide the tools, resources, and guidance to help them expand and gain momentum. They assist startups to commercialize their technologies and succeed in the global marketplace through a variety of ways, including venture capital investments, world-class incubation facilities, and acceleration initiatives.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world.
Need to have an idea: No
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 3 months
Zen Launchpad is a venture builder and incubator in North Vancouver Canada. Since 2013 they have helped innovative companies bring their ideas to fruition. Through the Canada Startup Visa program, they bring three cohorts of ten companies to Canada each year. They are sector agnostic and willing to discuss any project but they have a particular focus on AR, VR, Physical Hardware, and Fintech.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Canada
Full list of launch stage startup incubators and accelerators in Canada:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: CleanTech, AgTech, EarthTech
Duration: -
To reach net-zero climate targets, Foresight Canada assists startups in creating, selling, and scaling their climate solutions. With the help of their Helix 5 partners of innovators, businesses, investors, government, and academia, they rapidly advance the growth and impact of cleantech innovations and ecosystems across the country. Their accelerator program provides startups at every stage of their journey with unrivaled access to the people, skills, and knowledge they need to thrive.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Food and Environment, Circular Economy
Duration: 4 - 6 months
To shift Canada towards a more sustainable, circular economy, the Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) is an innovation platform and activation network focused on developing, testing, and scaling revolutionary ideas. Beginning with the food and environment sectors, they assist firms through a variety of programs. The Re(PURPOSE) Incubator assists F&B firms in converting byproducts into an upcycled ingredient or product and generating new income. The COIL Activate Circular Accelerator is intended to assist creative enterprises in expanding and scaling their circular economy businesses and solutions, made possible through funding, mentoring, and education. COIL also runs three Circulate CoLab competitions to discover novel ideas and initiatives for the circular supply chain models to be tested and validated in collaboration with organizations.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 6 weeks - 4 months
To assist startups in becoming globally competitive, Planet Hatch conducts both incubator and accelerator programs that will help businesses ascertain and strengthen their business models, business strategy, client acquisition, and market entry. Through one-on-one business mentoring from a network of mentors and subject matter experts, entrepreneurs will gain the essential skills and knowledge to turn a great idea into a scalable business. At Planet Hatch, startups will also gain access to creative physical infrastructure as well as increased collaboration opportunities.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 9 weeks / 6 months - 1 year
The Startup Zone helps new and established businesses flourish by connecting them with the space, tools, and support they require. Through their non-sector-specific programs, they provide one-on-one mentoring, business model development, professional services, seminars, and networking opportunities for startups at various stages. At the ideation stage, they offer a Startup School: Innovator Program to develop your business idea or validate your existing early-stage company. They also offer a Startup Zone Residency program with two streams: Start for startups in their first year of launching or in the pre-revenue phase, and Grow for established firms looking to develop, scale, or launch a new product or service and need assistance navigating the process.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Artificial Intelligence
Duration: 6 - 9 months
Comprising over 500 top Canadian academics, entrepreneurs, investors, and founders, Next Canada is a powerful and committed entrepreneurial network that aims to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. They fuel entrepreneurs' passion and expedite their progress by providing them with educational opportunities, mentorship, and financing. They run 3 core programs: Next 36 for students and young graduates starting their own businesses, Next Founders for high-growth ventures wanting to scale, and NextAI for AI-enabled startups.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 6 months - 2 years
Le Camp Quebec offers programs for startups at all stages of maturity: from pre-startup to growth and internationalization. You can leverage their short to long-term professional mentoring that will equip you with the knowledge and tools to flourish throughout critical stages of your company's development. Their core acceleration and incubation program offer customized assistance and mentorship by advisors and high-level professionals, as well as access to a place of business in their working spaces.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 7 weeks - 1 year
Fueling Manitoba's breakthrough science-based, technology-enabled enterprises are NorthForge, an incubator-accelerator and entrepreneurial community that assists startups in advancing their startups. Their flagship Founders Program provides Manitoban founders of all stages with business training, access to specialists, networking opportunities, mentorship, coworking spaces, growth funding, and continuous assistance to grow their businesses. They also offer a Start-up Visa Program to attract international entrepreneurs in building new, high-growth enterprises in Canada, as well as International Founders Program to support tech startups as they build, settle, and grow their businesses in Manitoba, Canada.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 3 - 12 months
Propel is an Atlantic Canadian organization that runs a virtual accelerator for technology startups to go further, quicker. As each entrepreneur's journey is unique, their program is personalized and focused on helping your individual case and equipping you with the tools you need to succeed. They teach you the abilities to build a baby unicorn; starting from developing your marketing abilities, engaging your customers, and reaching traction, and provide the circumstances for you to expand your business, reach global markets, and attract talent.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
To accelerate impactful innovations and build the world of tomorrow, ACET accelerator provides personalized assistance for tech startups at the early stages to those ready for worldwide expansion. During the early stage, they will help you establish the foundational aspects of your firm, such as constructing a business model and your first market study, verifying your product with "early adopters," and structuring your organization. At the startup phase, they will assist you in carrying out your action plan and developing the commercial version of your product, as well as making sales to your first clients and raising your first round of funding. For the growth phase, they will help you navigate the structural and organizational changes in your life and business. This includes assisting in the development of the marketing/sales strategy, the manufacturing unit, and the human resource management, as well as entering new markets and obtaining substantial finance.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 2 months - 3 years
Genesis is renowned as Newfoundland and Labrador's innovation hub that offers programs to assist tech startups from the ideation stage all the way through commercial growth. Genesis' main program is the "Enterprise" incubator, designed for technology-based enterprises with strong growth potential to build their businesses and achieve product-market fit. They also offer a pre-incubator program "Evolution" for early-stage tech startups to assist them in identifying their markets, validating their ideas, locating problem-solution fit, and engaging with potential customers.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 5 weeks - 18 months
Platform Calgary is a non-profit organization that brings together Calgary's digital ecosystem and their resources to assist businesses in launching and growing at every stage of their journey. From conception to scale, they provide various mentorship and training programs for founders that equip them with the tools to quickly develop, launch, and build their tech-enabled businesses.
Focus: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Multiple Focus
Duration: -
Dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and teams traverse the path from concept to $1 million, Co.Labs offer programs for Saskatchewan tech startups from ideation to the growth stages. In Co.Learn, aspiring entrepreneurs can learn and get started in the world of tech business. In Co.Launch, startups at the ideation or prototype phase will build the foundation of their startup. In Co.Link, startups work toward product-market fit. Finally, in Co.Lead, startups are supported in accelerating the push to $1 million annual revenue and reaching Series A. There is no equity or fees charged for participation in the program.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Food and Beverage, Women-led/Women Products, Student-led
Duration: 1 week - 5 months
Y Space is York University's innovation hub, offering a suite of dedicated programs for startups at various lifecycle stages and sectors. From ideation, validation, launch, and growth, they provide individualized help from mentors and experts to help them develop their leadership skills and grow their businesses. They also offer startups access to a founder-first community, capital, and industry networks, as well as a physical incubator space in York Region.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Artificial Intelligence, VR/AR/MR, Blockchain, Financial Technology, Data Science, Quantum Computing, Health Technology, CyberSecurity, SaaS
Duration: -
Launch Academy is Western Canada's leading incubator and accelerator for tech startups. They are devoted to assisting digital entrepreneurs in growing their firms by providing access to Launch's prominent network of investment funds, laboratories, partners, founders, and mentors. They equip entrepreneurs with coaching, tools, network, and an environment in which to launch and build their firms. They offer 3 main programs: Launch training for prospective entrepreneurs who want to get their concept off the ground and establish their own business, Launchpad incubator-accelerator for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their firms, and Canadian Startup Visa program for foreign tech innovators aiming to relocate their business to Canada and expand to the North American market.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: AgriFoodTech
Duration: 3 months
Thrive AgriFood is an innovation platform that brings together major firms, startups, institutions, and growers to address the most pressing issues in the food and agriculture industries. They offer a startup accelerator program to support early-stage agrifood tech businesses from throughout the value chain with solutions that promotes a more efficient, sustainable, and secure agriculture future. The THRIVE Canada Accelerator is specifically aimed at Canadian firms in the Seed to Series A stages and provides them with access to corporates and farmers, investment opportunities, expert mentorship, and brand exposure to propel them forward.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: AgriFoodTech
Duration: -
Made of a network of entrepreneurs, researchers, accelerators, and partners, Bioenterprise is Canada's food and agritech engine promoting innovation in these industries throughout Canada. They assist businesses to take their cutting-edge technologies into commercial success and overcome typical roadblocks by linking them to the connections, services, and finance sources they require to grow. They offer various programs to help businesses connect to industry stakeholders and increase market reach, innovate and drive their technology to new markets, and grow their business nationally and internationally.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Climate
Duration: 6 weeks - 6 months
Climate Ventures is a joint initiative between Foresight Canada and SI Canada to accelerate Canadian climate and cleantech startups at every stage of the business. From conception to commercialization, they offer early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to create, pilot, and scale climate solutions that bring us closer to the UN Global Goals. They deliver world-class accelerator programs and investor Demo Days to strengthen and link the cleantech ecosystem, scale solutions through industrial alliances, and allow capital flow to the most promising ventures.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Fashion
Duration: 1 year
Toronto Fashion Incubator is a non-profit fashion incubator that helps budding entrepreneurs succeed by teaching them the business of fashion. They offer paid membership programs that provide access to strategic business-building programs and services, which include professional 1:1 mentorship, instructional webinars, e-lists and guidebooks, networking socials, B2B and B2C market opportunities, and discounts from industry partners. They also offer an application-only Resident Membership Program with one-year leases at their studio where fashion entrepreneurs can gain access to industrial equipment to work and grow their businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Health Technologies
Duration: -
The Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian ventures in maintaining competitive advantage and commercializing their health technologies. They work in collaboration with businesses, the investing community, academics, patients, and the government to accelerate health science companies. They offer programs to members of their network, including HealthMINT™ Program and OBIO's Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) that provide mentorship, access to investors, networking opportunities, and focused guidance to health science firms, among other programs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Duration: 1 year
Highline Beta offers a Corporate Pilot Accelerator that bridges the gap between startups and corporations and facilitates their collaboration to tackle business challenges. They work with corporations to develop the program and source the startups, which offers the strengths, resources, and experience of the corporation to help startups achieve success. You can browse through actively recruiting programs on their website.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Rolling Sectors, Indigenous Founders
Duration: 6 - 9 months
Focused on empowering Northern indigenous entrepreneurs, EntrepreNorth offers programs that help entrepreneurs to develop sustainable enterprises and become agents of social change in their community. Their flagship Entrepreneur Growth program provides practical business education, assistance, and skill-building activities to expand their businesses through a Multi-Directional Business Compass methodology that is rooted in indigenous ways of knowing and being. The program will go through the discovery, product-market fit, and growth stage within 6-9 months; with a different cohort theme each year.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: SaaS, Aerospace, Blockchain, e-sports Related, Telecom Startups, Social Enterprises, Quantum Computing
Duration: -
As the name alluded to, Digital CPR is a service provider that offers technological solutions and assists in all elements of the digital or technological needs of your business. Simply, they are a one-stop shop for all your digital needs. They offer a pre-accelerator program for startups in the sectors listed above. In exchange for 2% business equity, startups can get access to branding consultation, directory creation, management consulting, business plan development, fundraising advice, and marketing support.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Science and Technology, Multiple Sectors
Duration: -
Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a non-profit organization that runs accelerator programs for scalable, seed-stage, science and technology-based businesses. They operate in 12 locations globally, including 5 sites in Canada. They cultivate startups' entrepreneurial attitude through professional mentorship, financing opportunities, research analysis and advice on technology roadmaps, and business development assistance. Through their objective-setting process, they help technical founders learn and improve using insights from experienced entrepreneurs. CDL operates 20 focused streams on emerging technology areas, including Ag, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Climate, Commerce, Compute, Digital Society, Energy, FinTech, Health, Manufacturing, Matter, Oceans, Prime, Quantum, Risk, Space, Supply Chain.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: -
The RH Accelerator exists to help founders, entrepreneurs, and teams in early-stage firms realize their goals. Managed by successful business entrepreneurs, they have a strong core group of founders and a large network of mentors and investors ready to assist you with the challenges that your business is facing. Combined with a world-class space with an impressive infrastructure, they are poised to assist businesses in progressing forward and thrive.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social Impact
Duration: 6 months
Purppl collaborates with leaders to create a community of individuals and organizations and develop the expertise and capacity of ventures to adopt sustainable business and impact models. They coordinate activities and events with social entrepreneurs and community leaders to coach, counsel, and cooperate on systemic social challenges and contribute to the development of just, regenerative communities. Amongst which, their Scale Up Social program helps your company to construct a sustainable revenue model and impact plan, aided by experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sustainability, Circular Economy, Water Stewardship, Smart Agriculture, Climate Action, Inclusive Growth, Biodiversity, Rolling Sectors
Duration: 6 months
The 100+ Accelerator is dedicated to discovering the solutions to some of the world's most critical environmental and social concerns. They invest in startups from seed through Series B stages and provide them with remote programming to accelerate their collaboration and growth. They collaborate with business partners to identify the most difficult sustainability problems in their organizations, through which you can demonstrate the feasibility of your solution during the pilot phase of the program. You'll get help from a global team champion, access to mentor networks, and up to $100,000 for pilot implementation. At the end of the program, your startup has the opportunity to advance to a bigger commercial contract with one or more of their partner companies.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 3 months
Google for Startups Canada is an accelerator program for Canadian technology startups in the Seed to Series A stage. It is a fully virtual program that provides startups with digital workshops, programming, and coaching using Google's products, people, and technology. The accelerator helps startups in understanding and solving the main difficulties facing their firm with assistance from relevant Google professionals. The accelerator also provides deep dives and seminars focusing on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development for startups, in addition to mentorship and technical project assistance. Applicants should leverage AI/ML technology in their product, service or operations and/or show an interest in leveraging this technology in the future to qualify for the program.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
Innnovate BC promotes innovation in British Columbia and supports entrepreneurs from all areas of the region with technological research, commercialization, and adoption. They provide high-impact initiatives for technology adoption, growth, and talent development. The R&D + Pilot Funding program promotes the development and implementation of technology that addresses problems faced by British Columbians and others throughout the world. Through mentorship and business coaching, Innovate BC assists entrepreneurs to solve their business challenges. Hiring Grants + Skills Development bridge the talent development gap and educates personnel to fulfill labor market demands.
Focus: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 18 months
The DMZ is a premier startup incubator that provides the resources needed for the next generation of leading tech entrepreneurs to establish, launch, and scale their businesses. They provide startups with everything they need to develop and prosper globally, including access to investors, target consumers, industry-leading experts, and community events. They create an atmosphere that fosters your success and helps you concentrate on growing your business. Aside from the incubator, they also offer a Launchpad program for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build a business and need support getting started, and Bootcamp for tech founders who are validating a business idea, establishing an MVP, and securing their first customers.
Techstars Toronto
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 3 months
Techstars is an innovation platform that offers acceleration programs for early-stage tech startups worldwide, including a program in Toronto. Every year, they select startups to participate in their mentor-driven accelerators, where they provide hands-on coaching and lifetime access to the Techstars network as well as invest $120,000. They assist with startups in a variety of industries, connecting them to a network of successful mentors and partners who will assist you with product development, market fit, and crucial introductions to help your company expand quickly.
UTEST
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 5 months - 1year
The University of Toronto Early Stage Technology (UTEST) program assists U of T's research-based startups to move from lab to market. They assist budding deep tech entrepreneurs with a variety of services such as entrepreneurship education, consulting assistance, fundraising options, and specialized incubation space. Their network also connects startups to a vast network of mentors, top professional services specialists, investors, and digital entrepreneurs. UTEST will also invest up to $150,000 in selected startups and provide the opportunity for a follow-on investment of up to $500,000 through Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP).
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 12 - 18 months
Entrepreneurship @UBC is an initiative by the University of British Columbia to promote entrepreneurial thinking and leadership skills to UBC's students, employees, faculty, and alumni through various programs. They take a venture-centric approach and enterprises framework to help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals, whether it is to explore entrepreneurship, launch your concept to effect, incubate your idea, or accelerate your firm.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
M-Tech Innovations, Inc. is a Calgary-based technological incubator and venture capital firm. They work with public sector organizations to provide support such as working space, mentorship, and financing for the members. As part of the program, they offer mentorship, strategic business and technology advice, shared services, assistance with fundraising, and access to a community of businesses. They also invest in select, creative technology firms and support incubatees in obtaining funding from other sources, including grants from the Canadian government and tax credits.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Software and Data
Duration: 4 months
FounderFuel is a startup accelerator that assists founders in reaching escape velocity. They work with companies using technology and business model innovation across various verticals. Through the mentor-driven program, digital innovators will develop the competencies needed to convert their vision into viable businesses. Their curriculum focus on four axes comprising Narrative, Networking, Execution, and Leadership, where entrepreneurs learn to perfect their business models and get their companies ready for funding.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Deep Tech, Med Tech
Duration: 3 months - 2 years
Based in Montreal, Centech is a non-profit organization that assists startups from concept to commercialization in a collaborative and supportive environment. They accelerate high-potential science and engineering-based technological innovations by providing entrepreneurs with an ecosystem of resources, training, tools, coaching, and networks. They offer 2 programs: Acceleration designed to help and accelerate the growth of tech projects to commercialize, and Propulsion program for participants who have completed the Acceleration program for individualized growth assistance and long-term success.
Growth Stage Startup Accelerators in Canada
Full list of growth stage startup accelerators in Canada:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Hardware and Software Enterprises, MedTech, Automotive, FinTech, Clean Tech
Duration: 6 months - 2 years
ventureLAB is one of Canada's largest tech communities, particularly focused on the hardware technology and enterprise software markets. Driven by seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals, they have assisted in the development of internationally competitive tech giants who build to scale for global markets in Canada. ventureLAB provides a range of programs to assist your company in raising finance, retaining personnel, commercializing technology and intellectual property, and acquiring consumers. As part of their programs, you can gain access to their full range of services such as access to their 50,000 square foot facility, a world-class prototyping and testing lab, dedicated advisory, skill-building workshop, and more.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Healthcare and Digital Health
Duration: 1 - 2+ years
CTS is a healthcare technology and digital health accelerator that will help you launch and grow your startup to new heights. They offer a personalized approach to each business and assist you in securing finance and accelerating your growth by utilizing effective strategies and leveraging their extensive network. Their program consists of 2 parts: Kilimanjaro to help you with initial financing and commercialization, and Everest to help you obtain a second round of financing and grow.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: MedTech
Duration: -
MIX is Canada's first industry-led hub dedicated to assisting medical technology startups in effectively scaling in Canada. Through their Residency program, they deliver what Canadian growing medtech firms require: relevant and industry-specific mentorship and advice, as well as the resources to thrive. They will help startups to move to scale-ups through strategic planning aided by medtech specialists who understand the best growth strategies and how to overcome obstacles. They also aid medtech businesses in navigating the complicated regulatory and certification processes, developing an efficient Quality Assurance methodology, and learning about effective fundraising methods.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Duration: 8 months - 2 years
Innovation Guelph is a province-wide network and one-stop shop for business support services in Ontario. They promote community well-being and assist innovative businesses in starting up, growing, and thriving. They provide one-of-a-kind programs and initiatives to assist businesses of all sizes and stages. Some of their programs include the IG Startup Program for startups to commercialize new products, attract investments, grow their business to revenue, and other scaling initiatives.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Science and Technology
Duration: -
Manitoba Technology Accelerator assists early-stage startups to commercialize and grow their science or technology-based firms. In the early phases of your development, their business coaching, mentoring, and active participation will assist you in developing and implementing a long-term business strategy. MTA also offers dedicated office space in an entrepreneurial atmosphere where you may engage with other high-growth start-ups and scale-ups. MTA do charge commercialization fees and equity, but they may invest in the startups and take an active financial stake in your company. Aside from commercialization, they also offer a Startup Visa program for founders to establish their businesses and expand to Canada with the help of business development professionals.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social or Environmental Impact, Food and Beverage
Duration: 3 months
Spring Activator is a global incubator, accelerator, and consultancy organization that guides and empowers changemakers with high-impact support, resources, and a network to grow. They offer various training and capacity-building programs, mentorship, and consulting services to help entrepreneurs verify their concepts, start their firms, expand, and raise funds. For early-stage startups, the Discovery Foundation Business Activate Program gives you the resources, skills, and coaching you need to start and build a successful impact business. For startups seeking funding, the Impact Investment Challenge offers you the information, connections, and assistance you need to gain funding. For entrepreneurs looking to immigrate to Canada, the Impact Startup Visa Program assists you in establishing your impact business in Canada.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 3 - 6 months
Accelerate Okanagan is a startup hub that provides startups and growth-stage firms with tools, in-house expertise, and accelerator programs for those who are eager to expand. Among their programs is the Venture Acceleration Program for entrepreneurs with a unique product or business to discover product-market fit. For growth-stage businesses, RevUp links them and their management teams with business professionals to assist them in building a customized action plan, developing skills, and scaling. For women entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses, the W Venture provides a tailored experience that incorporates hands-on customized support, subject matter experts, and a peer community.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
Centre d'entreprises et d'innovation de Montréal (CEIM) is a non-profit that provides a range of services to early-stage and scaling-up tech startups. They provide a comprehensive variety of coaching and consulting services that are suited to individual firms' requirements and strategic issues, with the goal of providing them with the best circumstances to expand and sustain their projects over time.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
MaRS offers a variety of high-value programs and services to help high-growth firms flourish, ranging from advisory services to connections to the MaRS ecosystem. They have a carefully curated network of C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, academics, and government partners that you can leverage. Their programs are customized to your company's stage of growth, from early-stage startups to scaleups.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
Altitude Accelerator is a non-profit innovation center that offers services and incubator space to startups in the Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon, and other Southern Ontario regions. For startups who have created a first version, prototype, or MVP, the accelerator can assist you in validating your product-market fit, developing a plan for a pilot customer, and beginning to sell. If you've cleared the basic product development and are ready for rapid growth, they offer expert support and network to corporations, government, and academic partners to support your next step of growth.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 3 - 9 months
Delagglo provides individualized support for innovative startups in the technology, manufacturing, and industrial sectors in the Agglomération de Longueuil. Whether you are starting up, growing, or internationalizing your business, the DEL Accelerator will help you overcome your business challenges, finance your initiatives, recruit new talents, and propel your startup forward. They will also provide you access to industry know-how, experienced financial coaches and investor angels, and an exclusive network of experts and partners.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, International Startups, Newcomer to Canada
Duration: 3 - 6 months
LatAm Startups is a non-profit accelerator that exclusively works with international startups and newcomers to Canada and assists them in scaling worldwide from Toronto. Their flagship startup program for multinational startups looking to expand into North America comprises 3 phases. Phase I: Market Validation Program which begins a market entrance plan and connects with an immigration option. Phase II: Market Entry Program intended for businesses that have previously verified their market position (completed Phase I: Market Validation Program). Finally, startups who have completed the two phases may join Phase III: Startup Visa Acceleration Program to raise income and financing.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology Multiple Sectors
Duration: -
L-Spark delivers various accelerator programs and provides startups with exclusive access to cutting-edge technologies while also assisting in the development of the foundation and metrics required to obtain finance and expand. They have 3 core programs: Corporate Accelerator where startups may collaborate with international corporations in high-growth industries. SaaS Accelerator for SaaS businesses to refine their product-market fit and get investment-ready. Compass North for women-led technology enterprises, coached by fellow successful women entrepreneurs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: AgriTech, Technology
Duration: 3 months - 2 years
Powered by Conexus, Cultivator is an innovation center that was launched to remove the hurdles that entrepreneurs face and assist the growth of companies. They do this by offering a variety of programs, tools, mentorship, funds, and working space. Amongst these, their Grow program is designed to help founders improve their product/market fit and expand their firm from beta users to recurring income. The Scale program is for founders generating more than $250K in annual recurring revenue that focuses on connecting entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, advisers, and partners to help startups achieve big milestones.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: -
Home to a community of high-performing technology scaleups, OneEleven is a membership-based innovation hub and a 55,000-square-foot facility in the heart of Toronto. Their membership is designed to fulfill the demands of technology scaleups by providing everything founders need, allowing them to focus on growing their company. They provide unrivaled access to a carefully curated peer network, investment funds, best-in-class partners, on-demand services, and strategic assistance tailored to help firms through periods of significant development. They also offer curriculum-based learning that is divided into four core sections: marketing, customer success, product, and leadership.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Female-specific
Duration: -
The Canada-India Acceleration Program is designed to assist female entrepreneurs and female-led tech startups in Canada to expand to emerging markets such as India. The program aims to help founders in gaining meaningful contacts and essential skills, as well as create growth opportunities to empower female leaders to scale their businesses globally.
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Canada
Today, there are plenty of Canadian universities that have incubators built into their systems, subsidized by government funding. There are also several startup communities and non-profit organizations in Canada that provide programs to assist entrepreneurs in their journey, many of which do not charge a fee or equity. There is simply no shortage of incubators, accelerators, or other startup programs that you can leverage for your startup's growth in Canada.
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