Open
Closing Soon
Last Update: April 6, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000
Timeline
- Open Date : May 11, 2026
- Closing date : June 7, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
Startup in Residence supports early-stage Canadian technology companies with strong growth potential and positive socio-economic impact. It offers up to $250,000 in potential investment and a $15,000 non-dilutive grant for external services that support project feasibility.
/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 11, 2026
- Closing date : June 7, 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
- Early-stage technology startup development and growth.
- Projects with positive socio-economic impact for communities in Canada.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Early-stage technology startups.
- Canadian incorporated companies.
Who is not eligible
- Co-operatives.
- Non-profit organizations.
Eligible expenses
- External services useful for project feasibility, such as legal, accounting, and 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
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
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 early-stage Canadian technology companies with strong growth potential and positive socio-economic impact. It offers up to $250,000 in potential investment and a $15,000 non-dilutive grant for external services that support project feasibility.
How much funding can be received?
Startup in residence Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is **June 7, 2026**. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the Startup in residence program?
To be eligible for the Startup in residence program, you must:
Incorporated in Canada
Working prototype required
Less than $1M raised
What expenses are eligible under Startup in residence?
Early-stage technology startup development and growth.
Projects with positive socio-economic impact for communities in Canada.
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.