undefined
SCALE AI — Acceleration - QC - Canada

SCALE AI — Acceleration

Last Update: July 31, 2025
QC, Canada
Supports Canadian AI startups and SMEs focused on value chains

SCALE AI — Acceleration at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • Max. $50,000
Timeline
  • Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
Grant Providers
  • Scale AI Cluster
Program status
Open

Overview of the SCALE AI — Acceleration program

The SCALE AI — Acceleration program provides up to $50,000 in reimbursed eligible costs per Canadian AI startup or SME developing applied AI products and services for value chains. The program aims to finance the growth of AI-driven businesses by supporting incubators, accelerators, and innovation centres offering activities such as incubation, mentorship, commercialization, and access to capital.

Financing terms and conditions

  • Funding of up to $50,000 per eligible AI startup or SME, provided as reimbursement of eligible costs.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Programs that foster the growth of startups applying artificial intelligence to value chains.
  • Initiatives that strengthen collaboration between Canadian AI incubators and accelerators.
  • Activities aimed at attracting additional investment and venture capital into Canada's AI sector.
  • Efforts to support the establishment of AI-focused startups and SMEs in Canada.
  • Initiatives that help propel new Canadian AI businesses toward becoming global leaders.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 48,500

Building an AI-driven supply chain optimization tool for retailers

$ 49,000

Networking and mentorship program for AI based agri-food startups

$ 47,500

Establishing network for AI business matchmaking and investment attraction

$ 48,000

Expanding an AI-powered waste sorting product to manufacturing SMEs

$ 47,000

Incubation of an AI-enabled translation service for logistics firms

$ 47,000

Accelerating IP protection and go-to-market for AI medical triage app

Eligibility criteria of the SCALE AI — Acceleration program

  • The applicant must be a startup or SME focused on building applied AI products and services for value chains.
  • The business must be based in Canada.
  • The company must participate in a certified program recognized by Scale AI’s Acceleration program.

Who is eligible?

  • AI startups focused on developing applied artificial intelligence products and services for value chains
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Canada working on applied AI for value chains
  • Organizations such as incubators, accelerators, innovation centres, and corporate labs that support the growth and scaling of Canadian AI startups and SMEs

Who is not eligible

  • The Scale AI Acceleration program does not directly fund individual startups or SMEs; only organizations offering incubation, acceleration, or innovation programs can receive funding to redistribute.
  • Companies that are not based in Canada are not eligible for funding through an accredited program.
  • Expenditures in the form of direct grants or seed investments are not considered eligible costs in the program.

Eligible expenses

  • Expenses incurred in Canada related to incubation program activities, support, mentoring, assistance for business development, intellectual property, and commercialization, product expansion, and facilitation of access to capital.
  • Operating costs of programs supporting startups and SMEs in AI applied to value chains.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada
  • Alberta
  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Ontario
  • Quebec

How to apply to the SCALE AI — Acceleration program

1
Confirm eligibility requirements
  • Review eligibility criteria for your organization or startup
  • Determine if you are a startup seeking support or an organization wishing to apply for program funding
  • Verify if your business or program is Canadian-based and focused on applied AI for value chains
2
Select the appropriate partner program
  • For startups: Identify accredited partner programs supported by Scale AI
  • For organizations: Review Acceleration section for program submission guidelines
  • Explore different partner organizations and their offerings
3
Gather application information
  • Visit the website of the selected partner program
  • Review specific application process, deadlines, and requirements
  • Prepare necessary documents as required by the chosen program
4
Submit application to partner program
  • Submit your application through the selected partner’s process
  • Ensure all required documents and forms are included
  • Keep copies of all submissions for your records
5
Wait for application results
  • Await feedback or decision from the partner organization
  • Respond promptly if additional information is requested
  • Monitor communications for updates on your application status

Additional information

  • Funding is provided in the form of reimbursement of eligible costs.
  • The Acceleration program supports initiatives via accredited partner organizations, not through direct grants to startups or SMEs.
  • Each participating certified program is allocated a specific number of eligible startups and SMEs that can benefit from funding.
  • Questions about participation can be addressed through webinars organized by Scale AI.
Apply to this program

More grants like this

ESSOR – Component 1A: Support for investment projects (feasibility studies)
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Investment support for feasibility studies in Quebec
MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 2
Grant and FundingClosed
Quebec, Canada
Enhancing productivity through food industry automation assistance
Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)
Tax CreditsOpening Soon
Quebec, Canada
Supports innovation and commercialization activities with tax incentives
Development of E-Business Tax Credit (CDAE)
Tax CreditsOpen
Quebec, Canada
Tax credit for development of a Quebec e-business
Support for biofood exports - individual projects
Grant and FundingClosed
Quebec, Canada
SEB supports Quebec agri-food market expansion outside Quebec
ÉcoPerformance — Recommissioning of building mechanical systems
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Funding to optimize the operation of building mechanical systems
Individual Market Access Support (SIAM)
Grant and FundingSuspended
Quebec, Canada
Market Access Support for Quebec Food Processors
Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE)
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Quebec, Canada
Supports Québec exporters impacted by new U.S. tariffs
Panorama Program
Expert AdviceLoans and Capital investmentsOpen
Quebec, Canada
Supports export diversification with financial services and expert guidance
ESSOR – Component 1B: Support for investment projects (digital diagnostics)
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Support for investment projects through digital transformation