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Startup in residence - Quebec - Canada
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Startup in residence

Investment-focused accelerator supporting early-stage Canadian impact tech startups
Desjardins
Last Update: April 6, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : May 1, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada

Overview

Startup in Residence supports and invests in early-stage Canadian tech startups with high growth potential and positive socio-economic impact, offering up to $250,000 in potential investment plus a $15,000 non-dilutive grant. Funding can be used to pay for external services that support project feasibility (e.g., legal, accounting, design), and selected teams receive up to 100 hours of personalized expert support over the 8-month program.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Access new markets
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 15,000 $
Timeline
  • Open Date : May 1, 2026

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Finance and insurance
  • Real estate and rental and leasing
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Health care and social assistance
Location
  • Quebec
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

  • Developing and commercializing an impact technology solution that addresses Environmental themes (e.g., greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration, energy efficiency, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, climate risk prevention, sustainable natural resource management).
  • Developing and commercializing an impact technology solution that addresses Social themes (e.g., equity, diversity and inclusion, affordable housing and social housing management, equal access to education and training, improved access to healthcare, social integration of refugees and migrants).
  • Developing and commercializing an impact technology solution that addresses Governance themes (e.g., ethical supply chain management, evaluation of social/environmental/economic impact, participatory management tools, technologies that protect personal data and enhance cybersecurity).

Documents Needed

  • Pitch deck (PDF) — required to share via a public Google Drive link

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Early-stage technology companies
  • Impact tech companies focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) solutions
  • Financial technology (FinTech) companies
  • Real estate technology (PropTech) companies
  • Healthcare technology (HealthTech) companies

Who is not eligible

  • Co-operatives (CO-OPs).
  • Non-profit organizations (NPOs).
  • Companies that are not Canadian-based.
  • Companies that are not technology companies.
  • Companies affiliated with the organizers (e.g., Desjardins officers, selection committee/jury members, mentors, members of Desjardins’ Open Innovation department, or people living with them).

Eligible expenses

  • External professional services needed for project feasibility (e.g., legal services, accounting services, design services).

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Co-operatives (CO-OPs) and non-profit organizations (NPOs) are not supported by this program.
  • Any exclusive information or intellectual property content should not be disclosed in the application.
  • Acceptance into the Startup in Residence program is not guaranteed (an application does not automatically qualify a company for funding).
  • Any potential investment (up to $250,000) is not guaranteed.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada (company must be incorporated in Canada).

Processing and Agreement

  • Your application is reviewed by Startup in Residence’s selection committee to confirm it meets the program’s criteria.
  • If your startup meets the criteria, you may be invited to present your solution to a committee of experts and investors.
  • Selected startups go through a selection stage that includes a one-hour interview/presentation period (scheduled within the selection window for the call).
  • Startup in Residence makes the final selection based on relevance to the call for applications, your presentation, and your answers to questions, and announces selected startups on the final selection date.
  • If selected, onboarding into the program begins; however, applying does not guarantee acceptance into the program or any financial investment by Desjardins.

Additional information

  • The online application indicates you should not disclose any intellectual property in the form.
  • Participation in Startup in Residence may include access to a psychologist in residence (noted for the 2026 ESG call).
  • Startup in Residence also offers a free “On-Demand Support” service (formerly La Foundry), with targeted expert support of 6 to 12 hours.
  • The application process includes personal information handling statements (e.g., collection/use for eligibility assessment and related correspondence), and indicates applications may not be processed if personal information is not provided.

Contacts

ser@startup-residence.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about the Startup in residence Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Startup in residence. 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 Startup in residence?

Startup in Residence supports and invests in early-stage Canadian tech startups with high growth potential and positive socio-economic impact, offering up to $250,000 in potential investment plus a $15,000 non-dilutive grant. Funding can be used to pay for external services that support project feasibility (e.g., legal, accounting, design), and selected teams receive up to 100 hours of personalized expert support over the 8-month program.

How much funding can be received?

Startup in residence Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Startup in residence program?

To be eligible for the Startup in residence program, you must: Incorporated business in Canada Technology company (no CO-OP/NPOs) Entered commercialization phase

What expenses are eligible under Startup in residence?

Developing and commercializing an impact technology solution that addresses Environmental themes (e.g., greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration, energy efficiency, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, climate risk prevention, sustainable natural resource management). Developing and commercializing an impact technology solution that addresses Social themes (e.g., equity, diversity and inclusion, affordable housing and social housing management, equal access to education and training, improved access to healthcare, social integration of refugees and migrants). Developing and commercializing an impact technology solution that addresses Governance themes (e.g., ethical supply chain management, evaluation of social/environmental/economic impact, participatory management tools, technologies that protect personal data and enhance cybersecurity).

Who can I contact for more information about the Startup in residence?

You can contact Desjardins by email at ser@startup-residence.ca.

Where is the Startup in residence available?

The Startup in residence program is available the province of Quebec.

Is the Startup in residence a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Startup in residence is a Grant and Funding

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