archived
Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP)
Supports incubators and accelerators to foster high-growth businesses
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000,000
Timeline
- Archived
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) provided up to $5 million per year in non-repayable funding to top-tier accelerators and incubators, supporting their capacity to help innovative, high-growth start-ups and SMEs become investment-ready. The program aimed to expand services such as mentorship, business support, and networking opportunities for early-stage firms.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
Timeline
- Archived
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Expansion of services offered by business incubators and accelerators to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Development and implementation of incubation and acceleration programs targeting high-potential startups.
- Provision of mentorship and networking support to early-stage firms to enhance their investment readiness.
- Collaboration among incubators, accelerators, universities, and industry partners to create integrated support ecosystems for entrepreneurs.
- Facilitation of follow-on financing opportunities for early-stage companies through investor engagement initiatives.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Business accelerators
- Business incubators
- Entrepreneurs or start-ups engaging with accelerators and incubators
- Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in early-stage development
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses located in Eastern Ontario, specifically in Ottawa (at Invest Ottawa's facilities) and Kingston (at Queen's University's Innovation Park).
Additional information
- Recipients are required to provide matching contributions, either financial or in-kind, on at least a 1:1 basis.
- Funding is delivered as non-repayable contributions over a five-year period.
- Recipients must adhere to annual performance reporting obligations as stipulated by NRC-IRAP.
- An independent Canadian Venture Capital Expert Panel was involved in the evaluation and recommendation process for proposals.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP)?
The Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) provided up to $5 million per year in non-repayable funding to top-tier accelerators and incubators, supporting their capacity to help innovative, high-growth start-ups and SMEs become investment-ready. The program aimed to expand services such as mentorship, business support, and networking opportunities for early-stage firms.
How much funding can be received?
Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) Funds up to $5,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) program?
To be eligible for the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) program, you must:
Must be a best-in-class accelerator or incubator organization.
Must demonstrate matching financial or in-kind contributions (minimum 1:1 ratio).
Proposed activities must be incremental to existing operations.
What expenses are eligible under Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP)?
Expansion of services offered by business incubators and accelerators to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Development and implementation of incubation and acceleration programs targeting high-potential startups.
Provision of mentorship and networking support to early-stage firms to enhance their investment readiness.
Collaboration among incubators, accelerators, universities, and industry partners to create integrated support ecosystems for entrepreneurs.
Facilitation of follow-on financing opportunities for early-stage companies through investor engagement initiatives.
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP)?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or by phone at 613-991-1431.
Where is the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) available?
The Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) is a Grant and Funding