Open
Source verified July 10, 2026
OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M)
Co-investment for Ontario technology start-ups
Funding available
$ 250,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Ready 4 Market (R4M) is Ontario’s leading pre-seed investment fund for early-stage technology companies and academic-affiliated Ontario companies, with investments of up to $250,000. It supports pre-seed and seed rounds, early-stage commercialization, and companies with IP from Ontario-based academic institutions, university spin-outs, colleges, or research hospitals.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
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
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ontario-based early-stage technology companies
- Companies with IP from an Ontario-based academic institution or a Campus Incubator/Accelerator at Academic Institutions
- University spin-outs, colleges, or research hospitals, even if not campus affiliated
Who is not eligible
- Companies in human health and life sciences technologies
- OCI Ready for Market (R4M) portfolio companies are not eligible for investment via the Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF), and the reverse also applies
Selection criteria
- Minimum addressable market size of $100M
- Long-term competitiveness
- Strong intellectual property
- Unique value proposition
- Capacity to scale
How to apply
- Complete the interest form to indicate your company’s interest in the Ready for Market (R4M) Co-Investment Fund.
Processing and Agreement
- Companies undergo a rigorous due diligence and selection process.
- Hundreds of companies are considered for funding each year, and around 20 investments are made each year.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) Program
What is the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M)?
Ready 4 Market (R4M) is Ontario’s leading pre-seed investment fund for early-stage technology companies and academic-affiliated Ontario companies, with investments of up to $250,000. It supports pre-seed and seed rounds, early-stage commercialization, and companies with IP from Ontario-based academic institutions, university spin-outs, colleges, or research hospitals.
How much funding can be received?
OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) Funds up to $250,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) program?
To be eligible for the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) program, you must:
Ontario-based early-stage technology company
Headquartered and predominantly located in Ontario, with more than 50% of current company headcount in Ontario
Incorporated for no more than five years as an Ontario or Canadian for-profit corporation
Who can I contact for more information about the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M)?
You can contact Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) by email at mkalia@oc-innovation.ca.
Where is the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) available?
The OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) is a Loans and Capital investments
Who are the financial supporters of the OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M)?
OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M) is funded by Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)