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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.

Success stories

Client Profile: Varsha Chaugai, Co-Founder and CEO of Evoke Health

Technology has helped make health data more accessible than ever. But while it’s easy to get information like lab results for yourself or a child, getting up-to-date information on loved ones in long-term care facilities can be almost impossible. Evoke Health co-founder and CEO Varsha Chaugai was inspired to solve this challenge with Evoke Health after hearing stories of people who were virtually cut off from their parents in long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more

Success stories

Client Spotlight: Andrew Dolinski, Co-Founder and CEO of Jetdocs

Experienced founder Andrew Dolinski turned to the Accelerator Centre to help scale his latest venture, Jetdocs, a collaborative ticketing and workflow software designed to streamline operations across teams. After co-founding a successful Canadian startup, Dolinski launched Jetdocs with Alex Kovalev to address challenges in cross-departmental information sharing. By integrating seamlessly with platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack, Jetdocs enables organizations to manage workflows efficiently and keep teams aligned. Through the AC:Studio program, Dolinski has leveraged mentorship, resources, and funding to refine Jetdocs’ go-to-market strategy and position the company for continued growth.

Learn more

Success stories

Client Spotlight: Joe Chen, Co-Founder of SuperVisas

Personal experiences navigating the complexities of immigration inspired Joe Chen to create SuperVisas, a platform designed to simplify the visa and immigration process for individuals and families. As a recent graduate of the Accelerator Centre’s AC:Incubate program, Joe reflects on his journey and how the program helped take the startup to the next level.

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Success stories

Client Spotlight: Irene Koshulko, Co-Founder and COO of Streamline

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in the supply chain sector, Irene Koshulko co-founded Streamline—a company that empowers manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to plan more effectively with its AI-powered platform. Today, Streamline’s technology is used in over 40 countries, helping businesses across sectors like automotive, healthcare, and food and beverage transform their supply chains into engines of productivity.

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Success stories

Client Spotlight: Frank Bo, Founder and CEO of Swift Wellness

While growing up in China, Frank Bo saw the impact of delayed payments on workers in his uncle's construction business. These delayed payments often left families struggling to make ends meet. These experiences, combined with his father’s career in finance, influenced Bo to develop a passion for creating solutions that empower financial wellness. Swift Wellness began as a pilot program in China and has evolved into a Canadian fintech startup that delivers accessible financial tools to employees and employers across Canada.

Learn more