Accelerators, incubators & pitch competitions Canadians can join

The HardTech Pitch Competition offers Canadian hardware startups developing semiconductors, sensors, or embedded hardware products the opportunity to pitch for a share of $50,000 in cash prizes ($30,000 for 1st place, $20,000 for 2nd place). Finalists receive 1:1 pitch coaching, an exhibit booth at the HardTech Summit in Markham, Ontario, and free 6-month co-location membership at ventureLAB's Innovation Hub.

iCAN is Canada's premier international invention and innovation competition, now in its 10th edition, open to inventors, innovators, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and anyone with innovative ideas from around the world. The 2025 edition was held fully online, with participants submitting application forms and optional video presentations to be evaluated for Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Special Award medals. Winners receive physical award packages delivered by international express airmail.

iCAN is an annual international invention and innovation competition organized by TISIAS and held online, open to inventors, innovators, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and scientists worldwide. Participants compete for Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal awards plus special awards, with award packages delivered by international express airmail. The 2025 (10th edition) registration deadline has passed; iCAN 2026 is the next upcoming cycle.

An 8-week accelerator program for high-potential technology startups preparing to raise a seed round. Participants receive mentorship, pitch coaching, support with financial modelling and due diligence data rooms, and direct introductions to angel and VC investors.

Gives founders and business leaders access to early-stage advisors, cost-saving startup perks, and a network of like-minded peers.

Programme Venture Path offrant aux entreprises technologiques en démarrage des conseils, des avantages exclusifs pour jeunes pousses et un réseau de pairs inspirants pour soutenir leur croissance.

Programme de la voie Venture Path d'Investir Ottawa conçu pour aider les entrepreneurs technologiques à valider la viabilité de leur idée et à jeter les bases de la réussite de leur entreprise.

For high-growth, Ottawa-based technology firms that have reached $2 million in revenue or capital and are on track to generating $100 million or more.

Programme destiné aux entreprises technologiques à forte croissance basées à Ottawa ayant atteint 2 M$ en revenus ou en capital et visant 100 M$ ou plus, offrant un accompagnement stratégique pour atteindre cet objectif.

A three-month training program for entrepreneurs who have launched or are ready to launch a new business. Participants attend foundational entrepreneurship workshops and receive personalized mentorship, with the opportunity to pitch for a startup grant of up to $5,000.

An intensive 4-month (12-week session) hybrid accelerator program with dedicated advisor support focused on sales, marketing, and commercialization for startups with an existing MVP or prototype.

Northern Ontario Angels connects accredited angel investors to Northern Ontario entrepreneurs seeking growth capital and investments, improving the flow of investment capital, investment education and management expertise into high-growth potential Northern companies.

NOBEEP is an initiative managed by the Afro-Heritage Association of Sudbury that gathers, develops and delivers culturally appropriate support to Black entrepreneurs and business owners in Northern Ontario, addressing gaps in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The NOW Program stimulates women-owned and women-led business start-ups and scale-ups by increasing access to business development supports throughout Northern Ontario, delivered by the LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation on behalf of all CFDCs in Northern Ontario.

A bootcamp-style program offering specialized expertise, peer networks, and practical training to increase annual recurring revenue. Includes two full days of intensive training followed by six months of peer group sessions.

Programme d'incubation offrant aux entrepreneurs et entreprises en démarrage l'accès à des mentors chevronnés, du conseil stratégique et des réseaux sectoriels pour accélérer leur développement d'affaires.

A six-month business incubator program in Greater Sudbury providing early-stage, for-profit startups with individualized mentorship, workshops, peer networking, and advisory services valued at $8,000 at no cost.

FedNor works with a network of Regional Innovation Centres and business incubators and accelerators across Northern Ontario — including NOIC, SSMIC, Link North, NORCAT, and IION — dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and start-ups develop, improve and market their business and/or products.