
Startup in residence
Last Update: May 30, 2025
QC, Canada
Accelerator for Canadian tech startups with expert-led support
Startup in residence at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $250,000
Timeline
- Open Date : May 20, 2025
- Closing date : July 1, 2025
Financing Type
Other Support
Grant and Funding
Expert Advice
Eligible Industries
- Finance and insurance
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Grant Providers
- Desjardins
Status
Open
Overview of the Startup in residence program
Startup in Residence, powered by Desjardins, supports early-stage Canadian technology startups with high growth potential by providing up to $250,000 in investment and an initial non-dilutive grant of $15,000. The program focuses on advancing innovative solutions in sectors such as fintech, proptech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and impact tech, offering tailored mentorship and resources to accelerate business development and socio-economic impact.
Financing terms and conditions
- A non-dilutive grant of $15,000 is awarded to selected startups upon joining the program.
- Potential investment of up to $250,000 may be made in participating startups, structured as subordinated debt at a discount and convertible into preferred shares.
- For certain calls, the first-place winning team may receive a $25,000 non-dilutive grant; second place, $15,000; and third place, $5,000, in addition to program participation.
Eligible projects & activities
- Growth and development of early-stage technology startups with high socio-economic impact.
- Projects focused on artificial intelligence, proptech (real estate technology), and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) technologies.
- Implementation of innovative solutions in financial technology, regulatory technology, computer security, healthcare technology, and real estate technology.
- Initiatives aimed at addressing real-world problems through technology-driven solutions.
- Projects that leverage mentorship and tailored support to accelerate business growth and market readiness.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 101,000
Cybersecurity startup offering regulatory compliance automation for SMBs
$ 110,000
Healthcare SaaS enabling real-time teletriage for remote clinics
$ 120,000
Developing fintech tools for newcomers’ financial integration
$ 108,000
Building AI-driven fraud detection for Canadian credit unions
$ 115,000
Launching an AI-powered ESG scoring platform for businesses
$ 99,000
Proptech IoT platform for sustainable residential building management
Eligibility criteria of the Startup in residence program
- The business must be incorporated in Canada.
- The company must have at least a working prototype of its solution.
- The project must have the potential to create added value and a positive impact on the social and economic development of communities in Canada.
- The business must have raised less than $1 million in dilutive funding.
- At least one co-founder must be working full-time for the business.
- The founding or management team should demonstrate growth potential and interest in hands-on coaching, with entrepreneurial and IT skills.
- The company must be registered to participate according to the rules set by Startup in Residence.
Who is eligible?
- Financial technology (FinTech) companies
- Real estate technology (PropTech) companies
- Regulatory technology (RegTech) companies
- Computer security (cybersecurity) companies
- Healthcare technology (HealthTech) companies
- Impact enterprises with social or environmental objectives
- Companies developing technology solutions based on artificial intelligence
- Agricultural technology (AgTech) companies
Who is not eligible
- Companies not incorporated or headquartered in Canada.
- Businesses outside the target technology sectors (such as non-technology-based companies or those not focused on fintech, proptech, regtech, computer security, healthtech, real estate technology, or impact enterprises addressing socio-economic or environmental challenges).
Eligible expenses
- Fees for external legal services
- Accounting and financial advisory services
- Design and branding services
- Other external services useful for the feasibility of projects (e.g., consulting, marketing, communication)
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses incorporated in Canada
Eligibility criteria of the Startup in residence program
- Validity and originality of the proposed concept.
- Stage of product development.
- Analysis of the competitive landscape.
- Experience and composition of the project team.
- Potential for positive socio-economic impact within Canada.
How to apply to the Startup in residence program
1
Identify relevant call for applications
- Visit the official Startup in Residence website
- Review current or upcoming calls for applications and eligibility criteria
2
Prepare your application file
- Check that your company meets the selection criteria
- Assemble all necessary documentation (business information, prototype, team details, etc.)
3
Submit your application
- Complete the online application form for the selected call
- Submit all required documents through the designated platform
4
Application review and possible presentation
- Your application is reviewed by the selection committee
- If pre-selected, you may be invited to present your solution before a panel of experts and investors
5
Acceptance and program onboarding
- If selected, receive confirmation of acceptance into the Startup in Residence program
- Begin onboarding and integration with program coordinators
Additional information
- The program provides 8 months of personalized guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities for selected startups.
- Access to office space, cloud computing resources, and a dedicated workspace is included for program participants.
- Mental health support and ongoing post-program support are available for founders.
- There is no cost to participate in the accelerator program.
Apply to this program

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