Closed
Source verified July 11, 2026
Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program
Accelerator for women- and nonbinary-led scale-ups
Latest source updateLast Update: July 11, 2026Latest change: Rhyze Up! now adds a technology-driven innovation requirement and raises support to $5,000-$12,000, with the Traction Phase subsidy changing to $5,600 and the client contribution to $1,200.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 11, 2026
Latest change: Rhyze Up! now adds a technology-driven innovation requirement and raises support to $5,000-$12,000, with the Traction Phase subsidy changing to $5,600 and the client contribution to $1,200.
Rhyze Up! eligibility and funding update
Rhyze Up! now requires applicants to be a technology-driven innovation, narrowing the companies that can qualify for the program. The program also raises support from $5,000-$10,000 to $5,000-$12,000, and the Traction Phase terms change from a $5,000 subsidy with a $1,400 client contribution to a $5,600 subsidy with a $1,200 client contribution. The FAQ PDF linked from the page is also updated to a new version, and the application form now includes an added post-program survey consent or commitment for accepted applicants. The program description continues to focus on women-founded or co-founded scale-up businesses across Canada, with the updated FAQ and form providing the revised applicant guidance.
Funding available
$ 5,600
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Rhyze Up! is a national accelerator for for-profit women-led, women-owned, nonbinary-led, or nonbinary-owned companies incorporated in Canada, offering up to $5,600 for approved projects. It supports growth and profitability through mentorship, project implementation, leadership coaching, and education for AI gap analysis, technical challenges, strategic marketing, and scaling operations.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,600 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 200,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- AI gap analysis and readiness assessment.
- Technical challenges for new or existing products or services.
- Management issues related to skills, capacity, communications, and planning.
- Strategic marketing, strategic sales, and key account management.
- Process efficiency and optimization, demos and pilots of new technologies or products, and growing the business to scale up or expand operations.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit companies
- Women-led, women-owned, nonbinary-led, or nonbinary-owned companies
- Co-owned and co-led companies are also eligible
- Companies incorporated in Canada
- Women and nonbinary individuals do not need to own 50% or more if they have decision-making authority; an individual in a C-suite role may also qualify
Who is not eligible
- Consultants or solo entrepreneurs with a service or retail outlet focused on selling locally
- Companies unable or unwilling to scale
Eligible expenses
- Business scale-up services delivered through the program’s Traction Phase, supported by a subsidy of $5,000 for approved projects.
- Up to 15 hours of mentorship in the Discovery Phase (fully funded by the program).
- 1:1 leadership coaching sessions provided throughout the program (fully funded by the program).
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Services related to direct sales, sales prospecting, promotion, public relations, or direct marketing to customers or clients.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Other eligibility criteria may be used to determine companies that would be the best fit for the program, including a review by the program’s funder, NRC-IRAP.
How to apply
- Complete the online application form.
- Provide details about yourself and your company in the application.
- Boundless will contact applicants within two business days.
Processing and Agreement
- Each company accepted into the program has an initial call with the program manager.
- Discovery is collaborative, and project recommendations are discussed with the company and incorporate its input.
- When projects move forward, mentors and industry specialists implement and execute them with information, direction, and feedback from the company.
- The final project Outcomes Report is presented and reviewed with the leader, founder, or decision-maker.
Additional information
- Supported in part by NRC IRAP.
- The program is inclusive for women and those who identify as women, as well as nonbinary leaders.
- Limited spots are available; not all qualified applicants are accepted.
- Applicants are contacted within two business days after applying.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program Program
What is the Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program?
Rhyze Up! is a national accelerator for for-profit women-led, women-owned, nonbinary-led, or nonbinary-owned companies incorporated in Canada, offering up to $5,600 for approved projects. It supports growth and profitability through mentorship, project implementation, leadership coaching, and education for AI gap analysis, technical challenges, strategic marketing, and scaling operations.
How much funding can be received?
Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program Funds up to $5,600 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program program?
To be eligible for the Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program program, you must:
The company must be women-led, women-owned, nonbinary-led, or nonbinary-owned.
The business must be incorporated in Canada and employ fewer than 500 staff.
The company must be a technology-driven innovation with at least $200,000 in annual recurring revenue.
What expenses are eligible under Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program?
AI gap analysis and readiness assessment.
Technical challenges for new or existing products or services.
Management issues related to skills, capacity, communications, and planning.
Strategic marketing, strategic sales, and key account management.
Process efficiency and optimization, demos and pilots of new technologies or products, and growing the business to scale up or expand operations.
Who can I contact for more information about the Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program?
You can contact Innovation Guelph by email at info@boundlessaccelerator.ca or by phone at 519-265-4495.
Where is the Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program available?
The Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program is a Grant and Funding