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Startup in residence - QC - Canada

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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