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SCALE AI — Acceleration - Canada
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SCALE AI — Acceleration

Supports Canadian AI startups and SMEs focused on value chains
Scale AI Cluster
Last Update: March 26, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
  • Open continuously
Location
Canada

Overview

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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Timeline
  • Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians
  • Startups

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • 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.

Eligibility

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.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Grants to startups (cash grants).
  • Seed investments in startups.

Eligible geographic areas

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

Processing and Agreement

  • Scale AI assesses submitted programs and determines whether to certify them under the Acceleration stream.
  • If certified, Scale AI allocates funds based on the number of eligible startups/SMEs graduating from the program.
  • Scale AI provides funding to the certified organization by reimbursing eligible costs and expenditures, based on the program’s operating costs and benefit to startups.
  • The funded organization uses the Scale AI Community platform to claim eligible expenditures.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about the SCALE AI — Acceleration Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the SCALE AI — Acceleration. 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 SCALE AI — Acceleration?

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.

How much funding can be received?

SCALE AI — Acceleration Funds up to $50,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the SCALE AI — Acceleration program?

To be eligible for the SCALE AI — Acceleration program, you must: Startups or SMEs must be based in Canada. Must focus on building applied AI products and services for value chains.

What expenses are eligible under SCALE AI — Acceleration?

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.

Where is the SCALE AI — Acceleration available?

The SCALE AI — Acceleration program is available across Canada.

Is the SCALE AI — Acceleration a grant, loan, or tax credit?

SCALE AI — Acceleration is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the SCALE AI — Acceleration?

SCALE AI — Acceleration is funded by Scale AI Cluster

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