Accelerators, incubators & pitch competitions Canadians can join

Innovative Solutions Canada provides grants and procurement contracts to Canadian SMEs to stimulate technology R&D and commercialization through departmental challenges and a testing stream. Funding includes up to $150,000 for proof-of-concept projects (Phase 1) and up to $2 million for prototype development (Phase 2), with potential government procurement in Phase 3.

Funded by the Government of Canada's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, IWEP provides free business advisory services, entrepreneurial skills training cohorts, mentoring, and networking to help women entrepreneurs launch or scale their businesses in Canada.

Incubation facilities for Nova Scotia innovators

Expert advice for tech startups

Seed funding for early-stage technology in Ontario

An equity-free program that equips Canadian hardtech and deeptech founders with strategy, due diligence preparation, and advisory support to raise venture capital. Startups can participate through a 3-month cohort-based series or a flexible 3- to 6-month personalized advisory stream.

Support to grow Indigenous businesses

Training and support for Indigenous startups

Support from subject matter experts for export capacity

A national leadership development program for mid-level music industry professionals and entrepreneurs focusing on advancing women and gender-diverse professionals to senior management and director-level roles. Includes 20 hours of case study learning, 3 hours of executive coaching, 360-degree feedback analysis, peer support community, and character wheel assessment. Participants receive training from post-secondary instructors, doctors, and senior industry leaders.

Support for scaling, high-growth companies

Money to grow start-ups and get to market faster through funded internships

Distance accelerator for early-stage technology in BC

Support for technology companies of newcomer entrepreneurs

An eight-month accelerator program that selects 36 entrepreneurial undergraduates and recent graduates from across Canada, taking them from ideation to venture launch with tactical education, mentorship, and network access.

Next AI accelerates early-stage, AI-enabled ventures through an intensive immersion week, founder education courses in machine learning and entrepreneurial strategy, mentorship, and investor pitch events culminating at Venture Day.

Next Founders provides growth-stage entrepreneurs with masters-level education, workshops, mentorship from industry leaders, and investor networking to scale their businesses.

TECHNATION Canada and Microsoft challenge students passionate about sustainability or the local economy to submit solutions in one of two categories for a chance to win up to $8,000 for the top team. Open to tech, business, and arts students across Canada.