Top 14 startup accelerators and incubators in Canada [2023]

Accelerators and incubators are programs designed to help startups grow their business. They provide mentorship, advice, and resources such as networking opportunities, offices, funding, etc. Accelerators may also require a small stake in your business in exchange for these benefits.

Accelerator programs typically last 3 months or less. Incubation programs can last from 6 months to 5 years. The average duration is about 18 months!

1. Dmz

DMZ is a startup accelerator and incubator that provides a global network of over 300 startups and companies. Based in Toronto, Ontario, DMZ was created with the goal of helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses. It offers an intense 13-week program that includes training in technology and business development, investor relations, marketing strategies, media relations and more.

The program culminates in Demo Day – a showcase for graduate students to pitch their ideas to investors. At this event, DMZ alumni have raised billion in venture funding since 2010.

While its name might conjure up images of war zones or post-apocalyptic wastelands from Michael Bay movies (not exactly what we want you to think of when looking for startup accelerators), DMZ’s main value lies in its Canadian origins – especially for Canadian Entrepreneurs who prefer not to be based in Silicon Valley like many other well-known accelerators across North America tend to be located near (e.g. Y Combinator).

DMZ also offers an executive education program that provides executives with direct access to senior executives at leading companies such as Intel Corporation or a 3M company as well as networking opportunities where they can learn directly from each other rather than through books or online resources such as YouTube videos like those found on our channel!

2. Execution laboratories

Execution Labs is a non-profit accelerator founded in 2014. It is based in Montreal, Quebec, and has a partnership with the Montreal Institute of Art and Design (MIDI).

Execution Labs offers the mentorship, training opportunities, and workspace to help startups grow their businesses. The accelerator also provides access to investment funds to its participants.

3. Ventures diagrams

Diagram Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund that invests in startups across North America. They are based in Toronto and Montreal, Canada. Founded in 2014, the accelerator has had over 1,000 companies through their doors and invested in over 150 different startups, including Bufferbox and The Muse.

4. African Impact Initiative

African Impact Initiative is a non-profit organization that provides seed funding to African startups. It also has a network of partners and mentors, as well as incubators in Africa.

The project has received over million in grants from the Canadian government, USAID and other organizations since its inception in 2013. Its main goal is to create jobs through technology across Africa by supporting entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses or improve existing ones using AI technology.

5. Mobio Technologies

Mobio Technologies is a Toronto-based accelerator that provides coaching, mentoring and funding for startups working in the field of artificial intelligence. The company has invested in over 40 companies that have gone on to raise over billion in follow-on funding.

6. Impression Ventures

Impression Ventures is a Canadian startup accelerator that helps early-stage startups grow their business.

This is an initiative of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), and it aims to help businesses scale and create jobs through advanced technologies.

If you are looking for funding, this is one of the best incubators in Canada.

7. Spring Activator

Spring Activator is a Canadian startup accelerator that helps startups grow globally. It was founded by David Cancel and Mark Organ in 2015. Spring Activator has helped over 100 companies grow globally. Some of the startups that have been accelerated by Spring Activator include Bufferbox, Zaggora, and GrooveBook.

8. Beta highline

Highline Beta is a global network of accelerators and investors. It is a non-profit organization that focuses on entrepreneurs to help entrepreneurs.

The Beta Highline program helps startups build, launch and grow businesses by connecting them to mentors, advisors, investors and partners. It provides opportunities for leadership development through education courses as well as funding opportunities through its accelerator programs.

9. The knowledge society

The knowledge society is an accelerator for high-growth technology companies. The accelerator provides startups with access to mentorship, funding, and a network of investors and mentors. In addition to its Toronto location, the Knowledge Society also has offices in New York, London and Los Angeles.

The organization’s mission is to grow businesses by providing resources that help them scale faster than they could on their own.

10. Speed

Velocity is a startup accelerator that helps early-stage startups build and grow their businesses.

They provide services like office space, mentors, workshops, events, and funding.

They have offices in Toronto and Waterloo.

11. Genesis

Genesis Accelerator is a Canadian accelerator that helps early-stage technology companies grow and scale their businesses. This is a mentor-driven program focused on helping entrepreneurs build scalable and sustainable businesses. Genesis is based in Vancouver and Toronto with satellite offices in Montreal and Calgary.

In addition to having its own accelerator program, Genesis also has an investment fund that invests in early-stage tech companies seeking capital for their startup or scaling into something bigger.

12. GCI Capital

GCI Capital is a Canadian venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. Since its founding, GCI Capital has raised over .8 billion in capital commitments and invested in over 250 companies across Canada. In 2017 alone, the company’s holding companies generated 0 million in revenue on average per year and created 4,000 new jobs.

Over 50% of GCI Capital’s investments have been made outside of Toronto, making it one of Canada’s most active investors outside of Canada’s largest cities. The firm maintains offices throughout British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario (Vancouver, Calgary), as well as Toronto headquarters in One King Street East – a new startup hub located just steps from Union Station in downtown Toronto

13. Left

The Left is a Canadian accelerator that focuses on startups in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics. On the left was founded by Jeff Clavier and Jean-François Bouchard, who also co-founded the soft key.

Startups accepted into the program receive left-to-left investment capital (the company’s venture capital fund), support from Soft Key staff and advisors, access to their network of experts in the field of AI / ML / robotics; as well as office space at their head office in Montreal.

14. Nabi

Nabi is a digital health accelerator that provides resources and mentorship to early stage health tech startups. Nabi is a non-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses, with funding of up to 0,000 in non-equity capital.

Nabi has partnered with organizations such as the Canadian Medical Association, Health Canada and CIHR to develop its accelerator program. Nabi’s Accelerator program is designed to help entrepreneurs build their business model and validate their product or service through research before raising venture capital or angel funding.

Conclusion

Canada has a thriving startup ecosystem. The country is home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world, and its startup scene is growing rapidly. Many Canadian accelerators and incubators have helped hundreds of startups grow into successful businesses, and they continue to support new businesses every year. No matter what kind of business you want to start in Canada – whether it’s an app or a service – you should be able to find help from one of these organizations!