Sept 20, 2022
Harnessing the power of incubators and accelerators to create ESG-ready startups
Canada boasts a great innovation ecosystem supported by a large network of business accelerators and incubators (BAI), including private, public and university-supported BAIs. In BC for example, there are dozens of organizations that offer crucial support programs to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses. As we explain in this blog post, BAI can be leveraged to help startups build capacity to embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) into their strategy and operations early on in their enterprise development. BAI programs also offer a great opportunity to cerate awareness about the role of business in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advance indigenous reconciliation. This will not only benefit our regional and national climate and sustainability goals but also help Canadian ventures be more attractive to ESG and impact-driven investors and other capital providers.
We developed this database to help BC entrepreneurs quickly access and identify incubator, accelerator, and mentorship programs that are offered in British Columbia, while allowing them to filter through various criteria that meet their goals.
This list is not exhaustive. All data presented in our tables and charts are based on publicly available information from the organizations’ websites. Data will be updated periodically. We thank Lynn Works for valuable research assistance for this project. We encourage you to contact us with data corrections, comments and new submissions.
Basma Majerbi
Research Lead
Sam Treacy
Research & Visualization
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Accelerators, incubators & mentorship for BC residents
| Program Name | Organization Name | Program Type | Office(s) Location | Organization located in which Province/s/Territorie/s | Country/s | Program Scope (Regional, Provincial, National, International) | Early Stage, Growth Stage, Both | Targets a specific sector? | Sector focus areas | Impact Component | Impact Area | Description | Programs affiliated with a university | Count | Link | Extra column |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venture Acceleration Program | Accelerate Okanagan | Incubator, Accelerator | Okanagan | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General | No | Unspecified | A six-month program for entrepreneurs who are ready to take their business to market. Suitable for companies being built in the Okanagan that need to find product-market fit. Entrepreneurs must be able to commit 25+ hours a week to the business. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| W Venture | Accelerate Okanagan | Accelerator | Okanagan | BC | CAN | Regional | Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Women-led | A 3-month program for entrepreneurial women seeking to grow their business. Suitable for businesses located in the Okanagan who are women-led and looking to grow. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| RevUP | Accelerate Okanagan | Accelerator | Okanagan | BC | CAN | Regional | Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The RevUp program is designed to help tackle rapid growth issues for businesses located in the Okanagan. Businesses must have an established business model, and post revenue. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Advisor Access | Accelerate Okanagan | Mentorship | Okanagan | BC | CAN | Regional | Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | Connecting Okanagan small and medium-sized business owners with advisors that can help them identify changes that can be made to better engage in a changing economy and digital landscape. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Scale-Up BC | VIATEC | Accelerator | Victoria | BC | CAN | Regional | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | Scale Up BC is a custom-developed program that focuses on the business challenges that technology companies with rapid-growth issues in British Columbia often encounter. Companies must be located in Greater Victoria, have annual revenues of at least $500,000 (or proven adequate capitalization) and a team size of 8 or more. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Business Coaching Service | VIATEC | Mentorship | Victoria | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Knowledge-based | No | Unspecified | VIATEC offers a free Business Coaching Service to support regional innovators business owners and entrepreneurs in knowledge-based industries via Zoom, email and telephone. Must be based in the Greater Victoria Area. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Venture Accelerator Program | VIATEC | Incubator | Victoria | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The Venture Acceleration Program helps technology companies accelerate the process of defining a proven business model for sustained profitability, and to help them effectively grow their business. The VAP includes an online curriculum to help you develop your business model, and a team of Executives-in-Residence onsite to provide insight. For companies in the Greater Victoria Area. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Innovation Sandbox | Circle Innovation | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Life Sciences | No | Unspecified | Access a network of health technology experts to help companies develop their health technology products faster, scale their business, understand user needs and create new technologies. Must be Canadian owned businesses at arms length. Potential for cost-sharing agreement with qualifying companies. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Cleantech | Alacrity Canada | Accelerator | Victoria | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | Yes | Climate solutions | The Alacrity Cleantech program is particularly focused on helping BC-based cleantech companies enter international markets. Suitable for small and medium sized companies employing no more than 500 people. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Axiom Zen | Axiom Zen | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | International | Early Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | Axiom Zen is a combination of start-up, venture capital firm and incubator. They partner with founders, corporate leaders, venture capitalists and academic institutions to explore deeply uncertain technical landscapes in areas such as machine learning, virtual reality and blockchain. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| AI Vertical Accelerator Program | BC-Tech Hub | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | Customized programming to scale up small and medium-sized tech businesses specializing in AI for supply chain, or supply chain companies looking to adopt AI. Suitable for organizations located in BC. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Indigenous Digital Accelerator | Capilano University | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Culture | Yes | Indigenous | Provides resources to nurture Indigenous business growth in the tech, digital-creative and cultural sectors. The IDA scales up early-stage Indigenous companies with high growth, commercialization, and innovation potential within a framework that emphasizes community development and low environmental impact. Suitable for BC residents with a majority Indigenous-owned and operated for-profit business, established for at least 1 year. | Capiliano University | 1 | Indigenous Digital Acc. |
|
| Coast Capital Innovation Centre | University of Victoria | Incubator, Accelerator | Victoria | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | UVic's on-campus venture incubator and accelerator that helps entrepreneurs get fundamental support and mentorship to take business concepts from idea to investor ready. Suitable for ventures started by UVic students, offers programs for both the incubation and acceleration stage. | UVIC | 1 | ||
| Ocean Accelerator (CVAP) | COAST & VIATEC | Accelerator | Victoria | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Ocean | Yes | Climate solutions | The COAST Venture Acceleration Program (CVAP) provides new ventures focused on opportunities in the ocean-tech economy with a pathway to growth through online training and coaching sessions. The program is suitable for ventures in the ocean economy, with less than 100 employees, and a founder with a full-time committment. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Business Plan Development Program | Community Futures | Incubator | Kelowna | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The Business Plan Development Program provides extensive training and support to develop a comprehensive business plan. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Compute | Creative Destruction Lab - Vancouver | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | International | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The Compute Stream is suited to visionary founders working in the fields of advanced computing systems, data storage and transfer, spatial computing, and web3. This program is for founders who seek to commericalize hardware/software solutions with large scale impact. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Cancer | Creative Destruction Lab - Vancouver | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | International | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Life Sciences | No | Unspecified | CDL Cancer is a unique program for seed-stage companies commercializing cancer research results. Ideal applicants are founders working to commercialize new tools, techniques or products that enable better research, detection, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and/or offer a potential cure for any cancer. Suitable for companies looking to benefit the health of Canadians. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Minerals | Creative Destruction Lab - Vancouver | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | International | Early Stage | Yes | Technology, General, Applied Science | Yes | Climate solutions | CDL Minerals is a 9-month startup program offered at the UBC Sauder School of Business. The CDL program is for early-stage companies working in the mineral exploration and mining space. This stream is for those who seek to commercialize hardware or software innovations that are enabling improvements in the efficiency, safety, productivity and sustainability of mineral exploration and the mining industry critical to society’s future. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Health | Creative Destruction Lab - Vancouver | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | International | Early Stage | Yes | Life Sciences | No | Unspecified | CDL Health is suited for startups focused on improving the quality, speed, cost, or accessibility of health care, in service of preventing, diagnosing, or treating medical conditions or improving the operational efficiency of the medical community. This program is tailored towards early-stage companies (early venture or growth) or even projects (pre-incorporation) that have a prototype or key early validation data on their technology; however, startups of all maturity levels will be considered. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Climate | Creative Destruction Lab - Vancouver | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | International | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Climate solutions | For founders developing high-impact and scalable solutions to help preserve and protect our planet. With the CDL process and structure, they will help founders accelerate the commercialization trajectory of novel innovations to become massively scalable ventures that have substantial positive climate and societal impacts. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Generator | Discovery Parks | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | A 12-month program to help BC tech startups with an in-market, or a soon-to-launch product/service thive and grow. Competition winners receive a professional home for 12 months; get to belong to an amazing community of tech entrepreneurs; and have access to mentors and programming. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Venture Founder CORE | entrepeneurship@UBC | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | CORE supports UBC entrepreneurs who are building solutions founded in technology and innovation, helping to develop their startup through practical business training and deep mentorship to launch ideas into thriving companies capable of shifting industries. Suitable for UBC affiliated entrepreneurs with proof of concept model. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Venture Founder Lab2Launch | entrepeneurship@UBC | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage | Yes | Technology, Life Sciences | No | Unspecified | Lab2Launch supports UBC researchers and scientists who plan to build, or are building, a deep tech venture based on a proprietary and novel scientific or technological innovation. Founders are given industry expertise, practical business training and deep mentorship to develop research discoveries into transformational venture opportunities. Suitable for UBC affiliated entrepeneurs with proof of concept model. | UBC | 1 | ||
| HATCH Venture Builder | entrepeneurship@UBC | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The HATCH Venture Builder supports teams with dedicated EiR and advisory teams, regular quarterly check-ins, continued foundational and operational venture-building programming, office space, and access to shared wet lab space or maker space. Program is for 12-18 months, and suitable for growth stage companies with full time team members. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Kickstart | Foresight Canada | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage | Yes | Technology | Yes | Climate solutions | Designed for early stage cleantech companies hoping to bring their product to market. The program help you validate your business concept and connect you with an experienced executive coach who will hold you accountable to your goals. A seven-session program. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Launch | Foresight Canada | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Agriculture, General | Yes | Climate solutions | Learn how to commercialize your tech solutions – from developing a minimum viable product (MVP) to validating the business model to learning how to effectively communicate with investors and funding partners. For Canadian companies in cleantech, agtech, or industrial innovation sectors with an already developed product. A six-week long program, for those in a leadership role. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Deliver | Foresight Canada | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Agriculture, General | Yes | Climate solutions | Foresight’s Deliver program will help you develop your technology roadmap and transform your ideas into viable products. Considered a CTO training course for product development, suitable for those in a technical leadership role. Six-week program. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Scale-Up | Foresight Canada | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | Yes | Climate solutions | Canada’s Cleantech Scale-up Program will prepare ventures for the next stage, providing customized support that enables them to grow rapidly and successfully seize opportunities, positioning them as leaders on the global stage. Canada’s Cleantech Scale-up Program is focused on enabling the creation of 25 problem-driven climate ventures valued at $1 billion by 2030. For companies who have already determined product-market fit. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Venture Accelerator Program | Hubspace | Incubator, Accelerator | Prince George | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | We assist clients who simply just have an idea, through to mature companies that are already successful and looking to develop new technologies or products or to grow ones they already have. Customized programs for each entrepreneur and company. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Pilot Funding | Innovate BC | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | Yes | Climate solutions | The BC Fast Pilot program helps regional SMEs design, build and operate a pilot plant or small demonstration of their technology in real-world conditions. Suitable for BC SMEs in the tech space. Priority is given to companies outside the lower mainland, in cleantech, or initiatives involving Indigenous communities/organizations. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Venture Acceleration Program | Innovation Island | Incubator, Accelerator | Nanaimo | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Manufacturing, Applied Science | No | Unspecified | The BC Venture Acceleration Program (VAP) helps early-stage to mature tech, applied science and manufacturing entrepreneurs to grow their companies. Will help entrepreneurs to develop a sustainable business model. Suitable for individuals or businesses living or working on Vancouver Island, north of the Malahat, on the Sunshine Coast, or Gulf Islands. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Startup | Invoke | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General, Technology | No | Unspecified | Helps organizations to uncover business opportunities, explore technical possibilities, and utilize activities that determine the best path forward for your organization based on three criteria: desirability, viability, and feasibility. Focusing on digital products across industries. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| TRU Generator | Thompson Rivers University | Mentorship | Kamloops | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | Provides mentorship, education, and entrepreneurial support. It also helps identify possible grant opportunities for TRU students, alumni, faculty, and staff. | TRU | 1 | ||
| Venture Acceleration Program | Kamloops Innovation Centre | Incubator, Accelerator | Kamloops | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The program supports committed entrepreneurs in taking new & innovative business ideas to market. Suitable for North Thompson and South Cariboo businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| RevUp | Kamloops Innovation Centre | Accelerator | Kamloops | BC | CAN | Regional | Growth Stage | Yes | General, Technology | No | Unspecified | RevUp is a 6-month program where you get to work with other established companies and mentors who have gone through what you’re going through and understand growth problems in multiple industries. Suitable for North Thompson and South Cariboo businesses and entrepreneurs with a product market fit and high growth business. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Venture Acceleration Program | KAST (Accelerator) | Incubator, Accelerator | Nelson | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The Venture Acceleration Program helps early-stage entrepreneurs grow their companies. Led by experienced mentors, this ongoing 6-12 month program offers a disciplined approach to growing and taking your business to market. Suitable for incorporated businesses in the Kootenay region. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Kootenay Investment Challenge | KAST (Accelerator) | Accelerator | Nelson | BC | CAN | Regional | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The Kootenay Investment Challenge is a 10-week online program in the fall of 2022 facilitated by Spring Activator that brings together investment-ready tech entrepreneurs and investors looking to impact the local community. Suitable for organizations with ties to the Kootenays, or based in the Kootenays that will have an impact on the local community with potential for scale. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Investment Readiness Program | KAST (Accelerator) | Mentorship | Nelson | BC | CAN | Regional | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The Investment Readiness Training program will benefit tech startups who are ready to or already are, raising funds from investors. You will learn the fundamentals of seeking investment capital from experienced entrepreneurs. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Launchpad Program | Launch Academy | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | LaunchPad program is designed for tech startups looking to learn and grow with fellow entrepreneurs who are driven to build global technology businesses. LaunchPad content will include topics such as International Scaling, Global Marketing, Hiring, Growth Hacking, and Fundraising. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Build | League of Innovators | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The Foundations Program is a 6-week virtual idea incubator program for youth under the age of 25 to take their entrepreneurial ideas and aspirations to action. Suitable for Canadian entrepreneurs under the age of 25, or with at least one team member under the age of 25. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Boost Residency | League of Innovators | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The Boost Residency is 12 months long and focused on supporting young entrepreneurs who are building scaling startups in Canada. The ideal startup to participate in the Boost Program has demonstrated traction, the potential for high growth, and is led by a Canadian-based young entrepreneur under the age of 30. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Distance Accelerator | New Ventures BC | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | Get weekly mentorship, from wherever you are in BC. Suitable for BC-based technology companies developing a new or innovative product. Companies should be in the ideation, early or growth phase and generating revenue or pre-revenue. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Discovery Foundation Sales Acceleration Program | New Ventures BC | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The Discovery Foundation Sales Acceleration Program is an education and strategic advisory program for in-revenue technology start-up ventures in British Columbia. This program is designed to help you grow your sales and build your digital marketing skills. Companies should have a product in-market. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| NexStream Tech Challenges | NexStream | Incubator, Accelerator | Campbell River | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General, Technology | Yes | General Impact | The NexStream Tech Challenges are problem-solving opportunities aimed at strengthening Campbell River’s economy. The challenges are designed to motivate individuals and businesses to invent in areas that are relevant to industry challenges of the British Columbia Coastal Region and to accelerate and broaden interest in Campbell River as a technology destination. | Not affiliated | 1 | Tech Challenges | |
| Innovation Central Society | Innovation Central Society | Incubator, Accelerator | Prince George | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | Innovation Central Society supports technology entrepreneurs in starting and growing successful companies. We run programs that focus on developing and supporting an innovative technology community in the northern interior of British Columbia. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Resiliency and Recovery Program | Purppl | Mentorship | Kelowna | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Social Purpose | Customized coaching to build sustainability and resilience in your revenue, operations, impact, and people. A 6-12 month coaching program suitable for social purpose organizations. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Scale Up Social | Purppl | Incubator, Accelerator | Kelowna | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Social Purpose | Experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence backstop your leadership team with tactical, functional expertise to build your sustainable revenue model and sustainable impact model. Suitable for social enterprises who can commit to at least 6 months. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| The Fireweed Fellowship | Radius SFU | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Indigenous | The Fireweed Fellowship is a national accelerator program for Indigenous entrepreneurship in what is currently known as Canada. The program consists of a 10-month-long, immersive, cohort-style fellowship program combining online educational sessions, self-directed on-the-land learning, and leadership development. The program is suitable for businesses started by indigenous entrepreneurs beyond the idea stage. | Not affiliated | 1 | Fireweed Fellow. | |
| First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Proram | Radius SFU | Mentorship | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Indigenous | FPEAP’s process is to work in partnership with Indigenous-led organizations to co-create entrepreneurship programs that will best serve their communities. This includes cohort and peer-based learning that centres on Indigenous wisdom, the strengths of the entrepreneur, and community impact. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Reimagine Health Program | Radius SFU | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Healthcare | Yes | Health and wellbeing | The Reimagine Health Program is a free six-month cohort-based program that supports community members and leaders explore health-equity issues in their communities and build ideas to create positive change. Suitable for someone working or studying full/part-time with an idea to \reduce health disparities. | SFU | 1 | Reimagine | |
| Slingshot Accelerator | Radius SFU | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Healthcare | Yes | Health and wellbeing | The RADIUS Slingshot Accelerator is a six-month program that supports early stage, social impact ventures that tackle the risk factors and patterns of inequity driving lifestyle-based chronic diseases. Suitable for businessels that have demonstrated traction, existing ventures or those who apire driven to become investor ready. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Health Promotion Lab Trampoline Program | Radius SFU | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage | Yes | Healthcare | Yes | Health and wellbeing | RADIUS’ Health Promotion Lab Trampoline is an eight-session business model validation program for very early-stage ventures (start-ups and non-profits) working to address health inequities in their communities. | SFU | 1 | Health Promotion Lab | |
| Coaching and Consulting | Scale Institute | Mentorship | Victoria | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | Yes | Social Purpose | Scale provides coaching and consulting to help organizations become more enterprising, resilient and impactful. Has expertise in building social enterprises, strategic planning and social purpose real estate. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Business Legacies Incubator | Scale Institute | Incubator | Victoria | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Social Purpose | An 8-module intensive program that will guide your organization through a business acquisition readiness process. Focused on organizations interested in acquiring social enterprises. | Royal Roads University | 1 | Legacies Inc. | |
| Spark | SFU Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | Through a collection of workshops, mentoring, visual, and hands-on tools, SPARK guides you through the process of defining your problem, articulating your solution, developing your value proposition, crafting your business model, and getting up close and personal with potential customers in your market to learn what they need. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Incubator | SFU Coast Capital Venture Connection | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | Coast Capital Venture Connection's early-stage incubator provides students, staff, faculty members, and recent alumni from all faculties with direct support to develop their own startup ventures with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. Suitable for ventures with an already defined business model. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Project Zero | Synergy Foundation | Incubator | Victoria | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Circular Economy | The Project Zero Incubator provides early-stage business ideas and organizations from across BC with access to coaching, workshops, and resources to help them get established. This program is designed for people with a great circular idea, early-stage start-ups and established businesses /non-profits with a new idea for a product or service. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Market Validation Training | Venture Labs SFU | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The Market Validation Training program is intended for entrepreneurs who are working to gain customer traction and need a proven start-up approach for building their business. Seven week program with weekly sessions. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Office Hours | Venture Labs SFU | Mentorship | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | VentureLabs is making it easier to access subject matter experts with our office hours initiative. The trusted group of experts from VentureLabs, industry partners, government agencies, and active investors is ready to help Office Hours. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Scale Up | Venture Labs SFU | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Applied Science | No | Unspecified | VentureLabs is home to BC’s most promising science and technology companies who are looking to grow. Membership to the accelerator unlocks access to top-tier mentorship, programming, marketing services, and office facilities to help companies navigate their expansion journey. Suitable for growth stage or later companies, that have a founder with full time commitment. | SFU | 1 | ||
| Business Advisory Service | WeBC | Mentorship | Kelowna, Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | Yes | Women-led | Expert business advice when you need it. For women with specific business questions. Free and available to all women in BC. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Accelerator | ZenLaunchpad | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | The Zen Launch Pad Accelerator Program will help you launch and grow your robotics, IOT and AR/VR ventures. You will have access to an experienced team of engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs as well as a prototyping lab, small volume manufacturing facility, and digital media studio. Three, 12 week cohorts per year. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Venture Acceleration Program | Xlrator | Accelerator | Abbotsford | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | XLRator’s work is aimed at helping local established and new tech companies identify opportunities and overcome challenges faced in this rapidly changing market. Suitable for Fraser Valley-based startup founders, employees in tech, and companies looking to advance their tech skills and build innovation teams are eligible to apply. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| AG-Tech Venture Acceleration Program | Xlrator | Accelerator | Abbotsford | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Agriculture | No | Unspecified | XLRator’s AG-Tech Venture Acceleration Program will promote agriculture technology innovation and commercialization by providing start-up and early-stage agri-tech technology entrepreneurs in the Fraser Valley with the coaching and resources they need to maximize commercialization opportunities and accelerate growth. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Mentorship and networking | Xlrator | Mentorship | Abbotsford | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General, Technology | No | Unspecified | Fraser Valley-based startup founders, employees in tech, and companies looking to advance their tech skills and build innovation teams are eligible to apply. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Impact Investor Challenge | Spring Activator | Accelerator | Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Oakland | BC, ON | CAN, USA | International | Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | General Impact | The Challenge is an 11-week training program for both impact investors seeking to make investments and purpose-driven entrepreneurs looking to fundraise to scale their businesses. | Not affiliated | 1 | Investor Challenge | |
| Health Impact Investor Challenge | Spring Activator | Accelerator | Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Oakland | BC, ON | CAN, USA | International | Growth Stage | Yes | Life Sciences, Healthcare | Yes | Health and wellbeing | The Health Impact Investor Challenge is an 8-week program, empowering impact investors to invest in health-focused purpose-driven businesses. In turn it allows these businesses to gain investment, training and experience. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Women led Impact Investor Challenge | Spring Activator | Accelerator | Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Oakland | BC, ON | CAN, USA | International | Growth Stage | Yes | General | Yes | Women-led | The TELUS Women Led Impact Investor Challenge is an 8-week program, empowering impact investors to invest in women led purpose-driven businesses that align with their values and target returns. In turn it allows these businesses to gain investment, training and experience. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Business Activate Program | Spring Activator | Mentorship | Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Oakland | BC, ON | CAN, USA | International | Early Stage | No | General | Yes | General Impact | Designed to offer early stage impact entrepreneurs the tools and resources to help gain confidence in activating growth. Through Activate, you’ll have access to resources and expertise around funding, talent, digital marketing and other topics that arise as key interest areas. Suitable for early stage businesses/entrepreneurs conducting research development, marketing research, and product business development. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Core Program | Founder Institute Vancouver | Incubator | Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal | BC, ON, QC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage | No | General, Technology | No | Unspecified | The Founder Institute focuses on the pre-seed stage and looks for people and teams with the raw skills, experience, determination, and problem-solving skills to adapt and build a great company. Has two tracks depending on the stage of your company. Most of the selection criteria are based on the founder. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Corporate Venture Studio | Highline Beta | Accelerator | Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Chicago | BC, ON, QC | CAN, USA | International | Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The venture studio model quickly discovers and validates new opportunities, then provides you with optionality on how to move forward. Suitable for organizations interested in creating internal innovation. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Corporate Pilot Accelerators | Highline Beta | Accelerator | Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Chicago | BC, ON, QC | CAN, USA | International | Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | Startups can solve the problems that corporations can’t solve internally, if they are given the necessary opportunity and cooperation. The Corporate Pilot Accelerators are tailor-made to test startup solutions quickly through pilot validation. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Growth Accelerator | Futurpreneur Canada | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC, ON, QC, AB, NB, NS, NL | CAN | National | Growth Stage | Yes | General | No | Unspecified | The Growth Accelerator is designed to support young entrepreneurs with businesses approximately 18 months to 3.5 years old to create a new or updated business strategy for the next 3-5 years. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| adMare Bioinnovations | adMare BioInnovations | Accelerator | Vancouver, Montreal | BC, QC | CAN | National | Growth Stage | Yes | Life Sciences | No | Unspecified | adMare collaborates with existing Canadian life sciences companies bringing expertise, infrastructure and investment capital to help growing companies advance their business. adMare’s strategic investment focus includes biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and digital health solutions. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Energia Ventures | Energia Ventures | Accelerator | Fredericton | NB | CAN | International | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | Yes | Climate solutions | Entrepreneurs with an innovative business in the energy, smart grid, AI, cleantech and cybersecurity sectors can apply to be part of a 3-month intensive program that provides funding, mentoring and programming to take the venture to the next stage. Entrepreneurs will develop business skills, gain access to resources, networking with funding sources and other leaders. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Basin RevUp | Columbia Basin Trust | Incubator, Accelerator | Nakusp, Catlegar, Cranbrook, Castlegar | BC | CAN | Regional | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | Each business has unique challenges and opportunities; this six-to-twelve-month program is designed to be fully customized to your business needs. Executives-in-Residence will help you grow your business with customized action plans, mentorship and coaching, skill development, peer-to-peer engagement and implementation support. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Climate Venture Studio | Entrepeneurship@UBC | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General, Technology | Yes | Climate solutions | The Climate Venture Studio is for UBC researchers, scientists and founders working on scientific or technological innovations, or disruptions that tackle a widespread climate issue. | UBC | 1 | ||
| Human Health Venture Studio | Entrepeneurship@UBC | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology, Applied Science, Healthcare | Yes | Health and wellbeing | The Human Health Venture (H²V) Studio is for UBC researchers and scientists working on a scientific or technological innovation, or disruption focused on transforming human health outcomes. | UBC | 1 | Human Health | |
| Social Venture Studio | Entrepeneurship@UBC | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | Yes | Social Purpose | The Social Venture Studio provides teams the support and expertise needed to build and launch an impact venture. | UBC | 1 | ||
| LOI Labs | League of Innovators | Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | Yes | Social Purpose | LOI Labs is a 12-week program for young founders (30 and younger) who are launching or growing a startup, social enterprise or non-profit in Canada. There is a special stream of the program dedicated to social impact. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Indigenous Tech Founders Program | New Ventures BC | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General, Technology | Yes | Indigenous | The Indigenous Tech Founders Program is an 8-week mentorship program designed to help Indigenous Founders launch and grow their tech company. In this program, founders receive dedicated and personalized mentorship by Indigenous Startup founders, and gain access to a community of mentors. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Mosaic Accelerator | New Ventures BC | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | General, Technology | Yes | Women | The Mosaic Accelerator Program is an 8-week mentorship program dedicated to help non-technical, marginalized, and BIPOC women learn how to build their tech company. There are two available streams: Entrepreneurial Vision to Venture or Women Founders & Senior Leadership Roundtable | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Digital Marketing and Sales Mentorship program | New Ventures BC | Mentorship | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Growth Stage | No | General | No | Unspecified | The Digital Marketing and Sales program takes place over 8 weeks, designed to increase sales and scale a business. It includes 8 weeks of mentorship sessions, as well as other educational resources and networking. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| Decentral Vancouver | Decentral Vancouver | Incubator | Vancouver | BC | CAN | Provincial | Early Stage, Growth Stage | Yes | Technology | No | Unspecified | Decentral Vanouver is a community incubator focused on the Vancouver cryptocurrency community. They focus on Bitcoin and decentralized technolgy. This incubator is suitable for dentralized apps/projects or other fintech startup ideas. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch | The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch | Incubator, Accelerator | Vancouver, Toronto | BC, ON | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | Yes | Women | The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch is for all Canadian self-identifying women, non-binary, and transfemme entrepreneurs -- from any industry, size, or stage of business -- who want to grow their businesses. Throughout the pitch series selected participants will receive mentorship, coaching on pitching and community panel advice. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch at live events. | Not affiliated | 1 | ||
| The Forum Mentor Program | The Forum | Mentorship | Vancouver, Toronto | BC, ON | CAN | National | Early Stage, Growth Stage | No | General | Yes | Women | The Forum pairs women entrepreneurs with mentors across Canada. Mentorship lasts for 12 months. | Not affiliated | 1 |
