Open
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur
Money to grow start-ups and get to market faster through funded internships
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 7,500
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Funds for student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs to further develop the research or technology at the core of their start-up business.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Minimum amount : 7,500 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Piloting and testing a new product, service, or technology.
- Iterating and improving an existing product, service, or technology.
- Development of commercialization strategies for start-ups.
- Budget optimization for start-up operations.
- Professional skill development for student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Companies owned by students or postdoctoral fellows incorporated as part of a startup.
- Startups housed in an incubator approved by Mitacs.
- Companies looking to develop and commercialize a new technology, product, or service.
- Startup requiring financial support to test and refine innovative technologies.
Who is not eligible
- Sole proprietorships and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), as they are not considered incorporated.
- Consulting firms.
- Individuals who are full-time employees without ownership or responsibility for the management and/or operations of the start-up.
Eligible expenses
- A stipend to the student, with a minimum allocation of $10,000.
- Flexible research expenses up to $5,000 to support research costs.
- Funds are spent in compliance with the Mitacs Use of Funds policy, which follows Tri-Agency eligible expenses guidelines.
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Additional information
- Applications are open continuously without a fixed deadline, allowing flexibility for submission when ready.
- Evaluation of applications typically takes six to eight weeks, accommodating flexibility in project commencement.
- If a project needs extension or new objectives, a continuation must be submitted as a new proposal with prior discussion with a Mitacs Advisor.
- Mitacs does not claim any intellectual property from projects it funds; IP terms are determined by the academic institution involved.
- Funding availability for the 2024-2025 fiscal year is limited in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, whereas there are no such restrictions in British Columbia, Yukon, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Indigenous Pathways funding is limited; applicants should contact a Mitacs advisor for details.
- All partner contributions must be received by Mitacs before funds can be released to the academic institution.
- Interns and participating organizations are responsible for adhering to Mitacs's policies on the responsible conduct of research and use of funds.
- Institutions administer funds according to their individual policies under Tri-Agency guidelines, which may include stipends or salaries with potential benefit deductions.
- Internships require active participation from interns, professors, and partner organizations, with set responsibilities before, during, and after the project.
- The Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur grant supports activities with potential substantial advancements within a start-up's lifecycle.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur. 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 Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur?
Funds for student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs to further develop the research or technology at the core of their start-up business.
How much funding can be received?
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur Funds up to $7,500 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur program?
To be eligible for the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur program, you must:
The start-up must be actively housed in an approved incubator facility during the project duration.
The research project must further develop the core research or technology of the start-up business.
The start-up must be incorporated to be eligible for funding.
What expenses are eligible under Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur?
Piloting and testing a new product, service, or technology.
Iterating and improving an existing product, service, or technology.
Development of commercialization strategies for start-ups.
Budget optimization for start-up operations.
Professional skill development for student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs.
Where is the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur available?
The Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur program is available across Canada.
Is the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur?
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur is funded by Mitacs (MITACS)