Top 30 Accelerators and Incubators in Canada: Boosting Startup Success
- damiadeniyi
- August 10, 2023
- Science & Technology
- 0 Comments
Canada has emerged as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, with a vibrant ecosystem of accelerators and incubators fostering the growth of startups across various industries. These programs offer a mix of mentorship, funding, and resources to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful ventures. In this blog post, we will explore the top 30 accelerators and incubators in Canada, spanning different provinces and industries.
1. Techstars
City: Boulder, Colorado (with presence in Canada-Toronto)
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Techstars
Techstars is a globally renowned accelerator that supports startups across a wide range of industries. With a network that spans the globe, Techstars provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, investment, and access to a thriving community.
2. Founder Institute
City: Global presence, including Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary)
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Founder Institute
Founder Institute helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Their structured program assists in refining business ideas, enhancing marketing strategies, and preparing startups for successful launches.
3. MaRS
City: Toronto
Industries: IT, Health, Cleantech
Website: MaRS
MaRS, based in Toronto, is a prominent seed-stage investor in Ontario. It provides funding and support to startups in information technology, health, and cleantech sectors, contributing to their growth and success.
4. Velocity
City: Waterloo
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Velocity
Velocity offers a comprehensive startup ecosystem, from idea to commercialization. It provides resources, mentorship, and workspace to help startups succeed in various domains.
5. DMZ Ryerson
City: Toronto
Industries: Technology
Website: DMZ
DMZ Ryerson empowers tech startups with mentorship, access to investors, and industry expertise. It serves as a launchpad for innovative companies, connecting them with the resources needed for growth.
6. UTEST
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: UTEST
UTEST, in partnership with the University of Toronto, provides startups with funding, mentorship, and office space. It supports early-stage ventures in turning their innovative ideas into reality.
7. eSAX
City: Ottawa
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: eSAX
eSAX organizes networking events for entrepreneurs, promoting collaboration and business growth within the regional Chambers of Commerce in Ottawa.
8. Invest Ottawa
City: Ottawa
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Invest Ottawa
Invest Ottawa delivers economic development programs that support entrepreneurship, business acceleration, and innovation. It aims to make Ottawa the most innovative city in Canada.
9. Startup Edmonton
City: Edmonton
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Startup Edmonton
Startup Edmonton connects entrepreneurs with skills, community, and workspace, helping them transform their ideas into successful startup companies.
10. FounderFuel
City: Montreal
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: FounderFuel
FounderFuel empowers startups to refine their vision, expand their network, and accelerate their growth. Its program has supported companies like Groove and Playerize.
11. Accelerator Centre
City: Waterloo
Industries: Technology
Website: Accelerator Centre
The Accelerator Centre in Waterloo is dedicated to building and scaling sustainable technology firms. Its intensive two-year program offers mentorship and guidance to startups, helping them achieve rapid growth.
12. Launch Academy
City: Vancouver
Industries: Technology
Website: Launch Academy
Launch Academy provides early-stage tech startups with mentorship, resources, and a supportive community. It has incubated over 500 companies that collectively raised over $100 million.
13. Innovacorp
City: Halifax
Industries: IT, CleanTech, Life Sciences, Ocean Tech
Website: Innovacorp
Innovacorp is Nova Scotia’s early-stage venture capital organization. It invests in startups across various industries, including information technology, clean technology, life sciences, and ocean technology.
14. IdeaBoost
City: Toronto
Industries: Technology, Media, Entertainment
Website: IdeaBoost
IdeaBoost is a business accelerator for companies building technology-based media and entertainment products. It supports startups that contribute to Canada’s global presence in the media industry.
15. Propel ICT
City: Atlantic Canada
Industries: Technology
Website: Propel ICT
Propel ICT offers two accelerator programs: Launch and Build. Launch supports startups in the idea phase, while Build focuses on early revenue startups, helping them scale with a strong emphasis on sales and marketing.
16. Creative Destruction Lab
City: Global presence, including Canada
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Creative Destruction Lab
CDL helps startups transition from pre-seed to seed-stage funding. Its intensive program emphasizes mentorship and guidance, and it has worked with successful companies like Thalmic Labs and Nymi.
17. Highline
City: Vancouver
Industries: Technology
Website: Highline
Highline supports early-stage technology companies striving to bring innovation to life. Its expansive network and resources help startups access the support they need for growth.
18. The Venture Center
City: Arkansas (Note: Mentioned for cross-border startups)
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: The Venture Center
The Venture Center in Arkansas supports cross-border startups by connecting them to valuable resources, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.
19. Next Canada
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Next Canada
Next Canada offers mentorship, founder development, capital, and an incredible network to promising innovators and entrepreneurs in Canada.
20. Wavefront
City: Vancouver
Industries: Wireless Technology
Website: Wavefront
Wavefront focuses on commercializing wireless technology innovations. Its programs provide startups with training, mentorship, engineering services, and partnership opportunities.
21. Extreme Accelerator
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Extreme Accelerator
Extreme Accelerator supports early-stage startups by providing mentorship, resources, and connections to help them grow and succeed.
22. Extreme Venture Partners
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Extreme Venture Partners
Extreme Venture Partners is a venture capital firm that works closely with startups to provide them with the funding and guidance needed to scale their businesses.
23. Flow Ventures
City: Montreal
Industries: Technology
Website: Flow Ventures
Flow Ventures offers funding, mentorship, and support to early-stage startups in the technology sector, helping them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
24. FounderFuel
City: Montreal
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: FounderFuel
FounderFuel is an accelerator program that pushes startups to refine their vision, expand their network, and accelerate their growth. It has worked with companies like Groove and Playerize.
25. Launch180 Accelerator
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Launch180 Accelerator
Launch180 Accelerator helps startups in various stages of development by providing them with mentorship, resources, and support to reach their goals.
26. Ryerson Futures
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Ryerson Futures
Ryerson Futures works with early-stage startups to help them access funding, mentorship, and resources to grow their businesses and bring their ideas to fruition.
27. Spring Vancouver
City: Vancouver
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Spring Vancouver
Spring Vancouver is a global startup school and accelerator that provides entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and support they need to build successful businesses.
28. York Entrepreneurship Development Institute Accelerator
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: York Entrepreneurship Development Institute Accelerator
The York Entrepreneurship Development Institute Accelerator offers programs and mentorship to early-stage startups, helping them develop their ideas and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
29. Innovate Niagara
City: Niagara Region
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: Innovate Niagara
Innovate Niagara provides support to startups and entrepreneurs in the Niagara Region, offering resources, mentorship, and programs to help them succeed.
30. The Peer Project
City: Toronto
Industries: Industry Agnostic
Website: The Peer Project
The Peer Project focuses on supporting young entrepreneurs and helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to succeed in their chosen fields.
