Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur
Canada
Money to grow start-ups and get to market faster through funded internships
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|minCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
grant_single|grantors
- Mitacs
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Funds for student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs to further develop the research or technology at the core of their start-up business.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur provides a comprehensive financial framework to support the advancement of student and postdoctoral entrepreneurial ventures. This funding scheme is structured to facilitate the commercialization of research and technological innovations at their core.
- Each internship is valued at $15,000, combining contributions from Mitacs and the partner organization.
- The funding is split into $7,500 contributions each from Mitacs and the partner organization.
- At least $10,000 of the funding must be directed to the intern as a stipend, with up to $5,000 to facilitate research costs.
- Funds are administered through the academic institution, ensuring compliance with institutional policies.
- Partner contributions must be paid in full to Mitacs before any internship funds are disbursed to the university.
- No funds will be released until Mitacs receives the partner funds and the project proposal is approved.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur grant is designed to foster growth in startups by supporting activities that directly contribute to the development and commercialization of new products, services, or technologies. Eligible projects focus on pivotal phases in a startup's lifecycle where substantial advancements can be made and include:
- Conducting pilot tests for new products, services, or technologies to evaluate feasibility and market readiness.
- Iterative improvement and refinement of existing products, services, or technologies to enhance performance and market competitiveness.
- Strategic optimization of limited budgets to maximize resource utilization and impact.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 13,000
Pilot testing of a smart home energy management system
$ 13,000
Iterating on a drone-based agricultural monitoring system
$ 13,000
Developing an AI-driven health diagnostic tool for rural clinics
$ 13,000
Improving a machine learning algorithm for financial predictions
$ 13,000
Development of a portable water purification device
$ 13,000
Testing a renewable energy storage solution in urban environments
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The company eligibility criteria to participate in the Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur program are as follows:
- The start-up must be incorporated to receive funding.
- Student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs must hold ownership of their incorporated start-up and be responsible for the management and/or operations of the company.
- The start-up needs to be actively housed at an approved incubator facility for the duration of the proposed project.
- The proposed research project must further develop the research or technology at the core of the start-up business.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur program is open to student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs who meet the following eligibility criteria:- Must be a student or postdoctoral fellow from Mitacs partner colleges and universities in Canada.- Must hold ownership of the incorporated start-up and have responsibility for the management and/or operations of the company.- Must be housed in an approved incubator facility for the duration of the project.- The proposed research project must develop or refine the core research or technology of the start-up.Consulting firms and full-time employees without ownership or management responsibility for the company are not eligible. Additionally, part-time students may be eligible if they meet specific criteria, but consultation with a Mitacs Advisor is necessary.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur grant has specific exclusions for types of companies that do not meet its strategic objectives. These restrictions focus on ownership, company structure, and operational responsibilities.
- Consulting firms.
- Companies where applicants are only full-time employees with no ownership.
- Businesses where applicants lack responsibility for management and/or operations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur focuses on assisting student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs in commercializing their startup's core technology, product, or service. The eligible activities are centered around enhancing the capabilities of startups through research and practical implementation.
- Piloting and testing a new product, service, or technology.
- Iterating and improving on an existing product, service, or technology.
- Budget optimization for startup growth and development.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant specifically supports student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs in Canada, with approved incubators across multiple provinces and territories. Companies must be located near these incubators to be eligible for the funding and support provided.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur grant are guided by specific criteria focused on the research-based nature of the proposed internships and their strategic alignment with the startup's needs.
- Qualification of the proposed project as research within its discipline.
- Appropriateness of the project for the academic degree level of the intern(s).
- Clarity of the objectives outlined in the proposal.
- Suitability of the methodology to achieve the stated objectives.
- Realism of the project's timeline.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Accelerate Entrepreneur grant:
- Step 1: Connect with Mitacs Advisor
- Contact your local Mitacs Advisor to discuss project ideas and confirm your eligibility.
- Ensure your incubator is approved or seek advice on getting it approved if not listed.
- Step 2: Prepare Your Proposal
- Download the latest Mitacs Accelerate proposal template and complete it with project details, research methods, and objectives.
- Complete the Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur Conflict of Interest (COI) Declaration Form.
- Obtain a letter of support from your host incubator facility.
- Step 3: Collect Required Signatures
- Gather signatures from the intern(s), professor(s), partner contact, and university Office of Research Services or equivalent.
- Step 4: Submit Proposal Package
- Email your completed proposal package, which includes the proposal form, COI form, and support letter, to your Mitacs Advisor.
- Ensure submission is complete for prompt peer review.
- Step 5: Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Await confirmation from Mitacs regarding the proposal status and further instructions.
- Engage with Mitacs promptly if additional information or revisions are requested.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications are evaluated through a peer review process that typically takes six to eight weeks, with the potential for longer if revisions are needed.
- Mitacs does not claim any intellectual property (IP) from projects it funds, and all IP agreements are managed by the academic institution involved.
- Students and postdoctoral entrepreneurs must maintain ownership and management responsibilities in their startup to qualify for funding.
- The university administers the grant and may deduct benefits based on institutional policy, impacting the stipend or salary received.
- Participants are encouraged to engage in Mitacs Training workshops for skill development during their internship.
- Mitacs supports international internships, provided they include at least one intern travelling to or from Canada.
- Funding for extensions may be requested under specific conditions, such as unforeseen project delays or to expand project scope, but new project objectives cannot be added during an extension.
