Who Can Apply to SCALE AI — Acceleration: Complete Eligibility Guide

SCALE AI — Acceleration is a national funding initiative that supports Canadian AI startups and SMEs focused on value and supply chains. The program provides non-repayable support through certified partner organizations—such as incubators, accelerators, innovation centres, and corporate labs—that deliver programming to ventures. As of 2025-12-01, eligible partner programs may receive up to $50,000 per supported AI startup or SME as a reimbursement of eligible costs. Funding is allocated to certified programs based on the number of startups or SMEs that graduate their cohorts.

This article explains who can apply to the Scale AI Acceleration program, the eligibility criteria for organizations, how startups and SMEs access funding via partner programs, and what operational conditions typically apply. Use the self-assessment checklist at the end to quickly gauge fit.

Program Overview

• What it is: A federal, national initiative from Canada’s AI Global Innovation Cluster that funds organizations to accelerate AI startups and SMEs working on applied AI for value/supply chains.

• Who applies: Organizations with structured support programs (not individual companies).

• Who benefits: Canadian AI startups/SMEs participating in accredited partner programs.

• Funding model: Reimbursement of eligible, Canada-incurred costs tied to program delivery, up to $50,000 per supported startup/SME; allocation is tied to the number of program graduates.

• Geographic scope: Canada-wide, with partner programs active in provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

• Strategic intent: Scale AI Acceleration strengthens collaboration among Canadian incubators and accelerators, attracts investment, and supports the emergence of global AI leaders.

Why eligibility matters: Only organizations that meet Scale AI Acceleration’s certification requirements can receive funding. Startups and SMEs should join a Scale AI–accredited program to access the support indirectly.

Applicant Type Requirements

To be eligible to apply for Scale AI Acceleration funding as a delivery partner, your organization should fall into one or more of these categories:

• Accelerators that support AI-based startups/SMEs through structured cohorts, mentorship, and market access.

• Incubators focused on next-generation technologies with programming relevant to applied AI and value/supply chains.

• Innovation centres that increase collaboration across industries and connect ventures with customers, capital, and talent.

• Corporate labs and open-innovation initiatives that facilitate commercialization, pilots, and industry validation.

• University-affiliated and public research–linked centres that run venture programming.

• Other supporting organizations running initiatives aimed at scaling Canadian AI startups and SMEs in value/supply chains.

Program focus:

• Your programming must target ventures applying AI to value/supply chains (e.g., logistics, manufacturing, retail/e-commerce, agriculture, health, energy, mobility, fintech, mining, construction, smart cities).

• Delivery should include incubation/acceleration services such as coaching, mentorship, sector development, IP and commercialization support, access to customers/capital, and product expansion guidance.

Entity and status:

• You must be a legally established organization in Canada (non-profit, academic, public agency, or for-profit corporate lab/accelerator).

• You should operate a competitive selection or intake process and maintain clear graduation criteria.

Size & Scale Criteria

While exact thresholds vary by program and intake, eligible organizations typically demonstrate:

• Cohort capacity: Ability to attract, select, and support a defined number of startups/SMEs through a cohort or continuous intake.

• Stage coverage: Clear focus on venture stages served (e.g., idea, discovery, validation, efficiency, scale, mature). Many accredited programs serve validation through scale stages, with some supporting discovery and idea stages.

• Graduation track: A structured pathway to graduation; funding allocation is tied to the number of graduates.

• Operating maturity: Adequate staffing, mentors, and delivery infrastructure (physical or virtual) to run programming effectively.

• Measurement: Ability to track participant progress, report outcomes, and document graduates and benefits to ventures.

Geographic Eligibility

• National scope: Organizations across Canada are eligible to apply; Scale AI Acceleration funds partner programs nationwide.

• Canada-based requirement: Startups and SMEs that benefit must be based in Canada. Partner organizations must be Canadian entities delivering programming to Canadian ventures.

• Delivery model: In-person, hybrid, and virtual programs are all typical. Virtual programming can serve multiple provinces, but expenses claimed must relate to eligible activities and be incurred in Canada.

• Regional presence: Accredited programs have operated in Ontario (e.g., Greater Toronto Area), Quebec (e.g., Montreal region, Quebec City), Alberta (e.g., Edmonton), Nova Scotia (e.g., Halifax), and New Brunswick (e.g., Saint John), among others.

Project & Activity Requirements

Eligible organizations must deliver structured activities that directly support AI startups/SMEs in value/supply chains, such as:

• Coaching and mentorship by experienced advisors.

• Business development support (customer introductions, sector networks, pilot opportunities).

• IP and commercialization support (education, strategy, filings guidance).

• Access-to-capital programming (investor readiness, funder introductions).

• Product and technology support (prototype/MVP development assistance, lab or maker space access, applied AI expert guidance).

• Talent support (recruitment guidance, leadership development).

• Program delivery infrastructure (program management, curriculum, events tied to program objectives).

Important activity clarifications:

• The program does not directly fund individual startups or SMEs. Ventures benefit by enrolling in accredited partner programs.

• Grants or seed investments disbursed by partner organizations are not considered eligible expenses for reimbursement under Acceleration.

• Activities must align with applied AI for value/supply chains and be part of an accredited program’s offering.

Financial & Operational Criteria

Organizations should be prepared to meet the following operational conditions:

• Reimbursement model: Funding is paid as a reimbursement of eligible costs that are incurred in Canada and directly tied to program delivery.

• Maximum amount: Up to $50,000 per supported AI startup or SME. The total a program receives depends on the number of eligible graduates and the program’s allocation.

• Pre-financing capacity: Partners typically pay costs upfront and submit claims for reimbursement.

• Cost tracking: Maintain detailed records of eligible expenses, timeframes, and attribution to program activities and cohorts.

• Reporting: Provide periodic reports on participants, outcomes, graduation counts, and benefits to startups/SMEs.

• Compliance: Adhere to the contribution agreement, including procurement standards, conflict-of-interest guidelines, and audit readiness.

• Intake planning: Align programming calendars with Scale AI intake windows and your cohort schedules to maximize the number of graduates within the funded period.

Ineligible Applicants

The following are generally not eligible to apply or receive funds directly:

• Individual startups and SMEs (no direct applications; ventures must join a certified partner program).

• Organizations not legally established in Canada or without Canadian operations relevant to delivery.

• Entities without structured programming (e.g., those seeking to pass through funds without running an accelerator/incubator initiative).

• Organizations whose primary intent is to distribute cash grants or seed investments as the “program”; these costs are not eligible for reimbursement.

• Programs unrelated to applied AI for value/supply chains.

Special Cases & Exceptions

Context-specific situations are common and assessed case by case:

• Consortia and joint applications: Two or more organizations may collaborate to deliver complementary programming (e.g., a university incubator plus a corporate lab). Clear governance and cost attribution strengthen eligibility.

• Cross-provincial delivery: Virtual or hybrid programs serving multiple regions are acceptable if expenses are incurred in Canada and delivery benefits Canadian ventures.

• Indigenous- and community-led programs: Eligible when delivering structured programming to Canadian AI startups/SMEs; inclusion and regional priorities can be strengths.

• Corporate accelerators: For-profit or corporate labs can qualify when they run transparent, venture-focused programming with measurable graduation and ecosystem benefits.

• Stage-specific initiatives: Programs focused on particular stages (validation, efficiency, scale) are eligible as long as they align with value/supply chain AI and deliver graduates.

Project & Activity Requirements (Startup/SME Pathway)

If you are a startup or SME:

• There is no direct application to Scale AI Acceleration.

• You access funding by joining a Scale AI–accredited program delivered by a partner organization.

• You must be based in Canada.

• Each partner program sets its own selection criteria, intake timelines, and graduation requirements.

• The program’s reimbursement is tied to your participation and graduation; your costs are not paid directly to you by Scale AI.

Financial & Operational Criteria (Startup/SME Perspective)

• Contributions flow to the partner program; you receive services and supports (mentorship, customer access, IP/commercialization guidance, lab/space access) through that program.

• You may be asked to provide information for reporting (e.g., milestones, evidence of progress) to help the partner organization submit claims.

• If your program offers space, equipment access, or coaching tied to the initiative, those eligible program delivery costs may be claimed by the partner organization.

Geographic Eligibility (Startup/SME Perspective)

• You must be based in Canada to benefit.

• Many partner programs operate in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, with additional reach via virtual delivery.

• Selection is run by each partner program; locations and intake schedules vary.

Ineligible Applicants (Startup/SME Perspective)

• Non-Canadian ventures.

• Companies not engaged in applied AI for value/supply chains.

• Firms seeking direct grants or cash from Scale AI Acceleration.

Self-Assessment Checklist

Use this quick test to gauge eligibility and fit.

For organizations (accelerators/incubators/centres/labs):

• Are you a Canadian legal entity able to contract and report?

• Do you run a structured program that selects, supports, and graduates AI startups/SMEs?

• Is your programming focused on applied AI for value/supply chains?

• Can you document eligible, Canada-incurred program delivery costs?

• Do you have capacity to pre-finance delivery and submit reimbursement claims?

• Can you report participant data, outcomes, and graduation counts?

• Do you maintain governance, conflict-of-interest policies, and audit-ready financial controls?

If you answered “yes” to most questions, your organization is likely a strong candidate to apply for certification under Scale AI Acceleration.

For startups and SMEs:

• Are you based in Canada?

• Does your solution apply AI to value/supply chains (e.g., logistics, manufacturing, retail/e-commerce, agriculture, health, energy)?

• Are you ready to join and complete a cohort with an accredited partner program?

• Can you meet the program’s selection criteria and graduation requirements?

If “yes,” your next step is to identify a suitable accredited program and apply directly to that organization.

Conclusion

Eligibility for SCALE AI — Acceleration rests on a clear distinction: organizations apply to be certified partners; startups and SMEs access support by joining those accredited programs. Partner organizations must be Canadian entities that deliver structured programming to AI ventures in value/supply chains and can document eligible, Canada-incurred costs. Startups and SMEs must be based in Canada and meet partner programs’ selection and graduation requirements. With up to $50,000 per supported venture reimbursed to certified programs, Scale AI Acceleration strengthens Canada’s AI value chain ecosystem through credible, performance-based funding.