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Source verified July 17, 2026
SCALE AI — Acceleration
Funds AI startup support programs in Canada
Funding available
$ 50,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Organizations across Canada that offer programs and supporting activities for scaling Canadian AI startups and SMEs
See full eligibility
Overview
Scale AI’s Acceleration program supports organizations across Canada that run certified incubation and acceleration programs for AI startups and SMEs, with up to $50,000 in reimbursed eligible costs per supported company focused on applied AI products and services for value chains. Eligible costs include wages and salaries, equipment and coworking or lab costs, and materials, software, and licences used by the program.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
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
- Incubation and acceleration programs supporting AI startups and SMEs
- Coaching, mentorship, and customer or sector business development support
- IP and commercialization support
- Product expansion support
- Access to capital facilitation
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Organizations across Canada that offer programs and supporting activities for scaling Canadian AI startups and SMEs
- Incubators focused on next-generation technologies
- Accelerators supporting AI-based startups
- Innovation centres aimed at increasing collaboration across industry
- Corporate labs, open-innovation initiatives, and other supporting organizations with initiatives aimed at scaling up Canadian AI startups and SMEs that build applied AI products and services for value chains
Who is not eligible
- Individual AI startups and SMEs cannot apply directly to the Acceleration program.
Eligible expenses
- Wages and salaries for carrying out program activities
- Costs related to equipment, rooms, coworking space, labs, facilities and supplies, including rental, operation and maintenance costs of the program
- Materials, supplies, software and licenses used by the program
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Grants
- Seed investments
How to apply
- Refer to the Acceleration section for more information on funding.
- Join Scale AI to access the online community.
- Submit your program for assessment through the online community.
Processing and Agreement
- Scale AI extends funds to acceleration and incubation programs that have passed through its certification process.
- Scale AI assesses each program’s operating costs as well as its benefit to startups.
Frequently Asked Questions about the SCALE AI — Acceleration Program
What is the SCALE AI — Acceleration?
Scale AI’s Acceleration program supports organizations across Canada that run certified incubation and acceleration programs for AI startups and SMEs, with up to $50,000 in reimbursed eligible costs per supported company focused on applied AI products and services for value chains. Eligible costs include wages and salaries, equipment and coworking or lab costs, and materials, software, and licences used by the program.
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:
The applicant must be an organization across Canada that offers programs and supporting activities for AI startups and SMEs.
The program must pass Scale AI’s certification process.
Supported startups and SMEs must be based in Canada and focused on applied AI products and services for value chains.
What expenses are eligible under SCALE AI — Acceleration?
Incubation and acceleration programs supporting AI startups and SMEs
Coaching, mentorship, and customer or sector business development support
IP and commercialization support
Product expansion support
Access to capital facilitation
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