Increase your pace
Fast-track your ambitions—and reach unforeseen heights.
Applications for the first cohort of AC:Studio are now closed.
AC:Studio
Up to $100,000 to launch your startup
Have a high-impact startup idea or interest in joining the founding team of one? With Government of Canada funding through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), we've partnered with innovation leaders from across southern Ontario to bring high-impact startups and founders the critical capital they need to launch their businesses.
Funding, mentorship, and tactical supports
Building high-potential businesses across southern Ontario
With Government of Canada funding through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), we've partnered with innovation leaders from across southern Ontario to bring high-impact startups and founders the critical capital they need to launch their businesses.
This program provides participants with:
- Up to $100,000 in seed funding grants from FedDev Ontario
- One-to-one mentorship with our team of in-house and specialist mentors
- Sales training from pros like Uvaro to build a team that delivers
- Tactical support in product development, marketing, UI and UX from industry experts and freelancers through partnerships with experienced startup builders at SnapPea and Conestoga College's Gig Lab
- In-kind hours with industry experts like RSM, Bereskin & Parr and Gowlings WLG
- Access to market research, investment intelligence and lead generation reports
access funding and support
high intensity. high impact.
Supporting Canadian jobs and economic growth
In 2023, we executed on Phase 2 of the program, working with 50 incredible founders and narrowed the field to the top 25 companies.
These companies represent the best-of-the-best southern Ontario has to offer for early-stage entrepreneurs.
700+
new jobs
$40M
in investment raised
$21M
revenue generated
Eligibility
AC:Studio is available to founders from across southern Ontario
In order to qualify for AC:Studio, startups must:
- Be based in Southern Ontario, as defined by FedDev Ontario (click here for full description online).
- Be incorporated in Canada, or show proof of a plan to incorporate upon receiving the funds.
- Be an early-stage company and have an innovative technology product or
- process, limited R&D, and are working towards commercialization
- Startups must not have received previous investment from Scientists and Engineers in Business (SEB) fellowship, NFPs and post-secondary institutions under SEB to deliver seed funding (OCE) SmartStart, RIC VentureStart, Next36, BioEnterprise, Northumberland CFDC, etc.), Commercialization fellowships (University of Waterloo, McMaster, University of Toronto, Carleton) or the AC's AC:JumpStart program
- AC:Studio investment amount must be matched in cash (such as angel/VC investors, friends/family/founders, academic institution, government sources, and/or industry investors). Proof of matching funds must be shown in the businesses bank account before the program start date.
Please note: Any employee, or person associated with the organizations carrying out the project (Accelerator Centre, Conestoga College, Innovate Niagara, WEtech, UVARO) are NOT eligible to participate in the AC:Studio program.
Program partners
Work with our innovation partners
AC:Studio provides tactical support in product development, marketing, UI, and UX from industry experts and freelancers through partnerships with experienced startup builders.
