Ontario-made solutions to the world’s biggest challenges
Up to $100,000 to launch and grow your venture.
Applications are currently closed. Sign up to receive updates for our next cohort.
AC:Studio
Fast-track your ambitions—and reach unforeseen heights
You’re building something bigger than a business—you’re building a legacy. AC:Studio is your opportunity to develop world-changing technology that drives clean economic growth in Ontario.
Cohort 2 of AC:Studio will support 23 startups as they scale Ontario-made solutions that address one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Funding, mentorship, and tactical supports
Building high-potential businesses across southern Ontario
Have a high-impact startup idea that addresses one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
With Government of Canada support 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 non-repayable seed funding- One-to-one mentorship with our team of in-house and specialist mentors
- Help measuring the environmental impact of your venture
- 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
How it works
Turning innovations into market-ready solutions
Cohort 2 of the program will be delivered in two phases, each lasting nine months. We will select 23 innovative technology startups with a passion for one or more SDG goals to participate in Phase 1 of AC:Studio. During this time, these founders will receive quality 1:1 mentorship, workshops, and $30,000 in matching funds to scale and support their business.
At the end of Phase 1, the 23 companies will be evaluated on program impact, founder engagement, and business growth. Once evaluations are complete, seven companies will be chosen to move on to Phase 2 of the program and will receive an additional $70,000 in matching funds to complete their projects.
High intensity. High impact.
Supporting Canadian jobs and economic growth
In March 2025, Cohort 1 completed the program. With that, we set a new gold standard for startup support programming. These companies represent the region’s top startups. Together, they:
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.
- Be incorporated in Canada or show proof of a plan to incorporate before receiving the funds.
- Be an early-stage company and have an innovative technology product or process, some R&D completed and working towards commercialization in an economically attractive market.
- Product or business impact must align with one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Startups must not have received previous investments from programs funded by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario. Examples include: 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), the previous AC:Studio cohort or the AC:JumpStart program. Applicants will be asked to disclose funding sources in your application.
- 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 upon acceptance into the program. Failure to produce proof of matching funds will result in program acceptance being revoked.
The Accelerator Centre is committed to fair and transparent decision-making processes in evaluating applications.
However, all final decisions regarding acceptance into our programs are made solely at the discretion of the Accelerator Centre.
Please note: Any employee, or person associated with the organizations carrying out the project (Accelerator Centre, Conestoga College, SnapPea Design, WEtech Alliance, CarbonGraph) are NOT eligible to participate in the AC:Studio program.
Program sponsor
AC:Studio is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
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.
client spotlight
AC:Studio client success stories
AC:Studio Spotlight: Zachary McCue, founder and CEO of REPWR
Timing is everything in both marketing and entrepreneurship. For REPWR Founder and CEO Zachary McCue, the right idea came more than a decade before the world was ready for it.…
Learn more
Client Spotlight: Christy Lee, co-founder of PatientCompanion
While volunteering on a med-surg floor, engineering student Christy Lee watched that scene repeat “literally every two minutes” and thought there had to be a better way. PatientCompanion is her…
Learn more
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…
Learn more
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…
Learn more
Client Spotlight: This Is Perimenopause with Co-founders Mikelle Ethier and Michelle Stainton
This Is Perimenopause co-founders Mikelle Ethier and Michelle Stainton are committed to supporting women through the often-isolating journey of perimenopause and menopause. They've created an online community that provides evidence-based…
Learn moreAc help center
Frequently asked questions
1. Does the AC take equity?
No, the AC doesn’t take any equity. You keep 100% ownership of your company and your IP.
2. Are there certain expectations of Founders?
Yes. Key expectations of founders are:
- Your startup is, or will be, incorporated Federally or in Ontario
- Attend biweekly, hybrid meetings
- You can spend at least 15-20 hours/week working on your startup
- You will actively engage in the program and access all available mentor hours
- You will complete the required surveys to support the AC with our government/funding reporting
3. Is there a specific application deadline for AC:Studio?
Yes. Application deadlines will be communicated on our website when they are announced.
4. Is there non-diluted funding available in this program?
Yes. Successful applicants in Phase 1 of the program (23 companies) each received $30k in non-dilutive funding. Successful companies selected for Phase 2 of the program (7 companies) each receive $70k in non-dilutive funding.
5. Can AC:Studio help with becoming investment ready?
Yes, through the AC:Studio program, we’ve built a dedicated Investment Readiness pathway. If your company is a good fit, we’ll include this course at no extra cost. Just keep in mind — becoming “investment-ready” takes time and effort and usually takes about 4–6 months to complete.
6. Are there any reporting requirements for founders accepted into AC:Studio?
Yes. Founders are required to complete surveys as requested (at this time, survey frequency is quarterly).
7. How many companies are accepted into AC:Studio?
23 companies are accepted into each program cohort. The top 7 from each cohort are selected for Phase 2 of the program, which includes an additional $70k in non-dilutive funding.
8. Are there restrictions on the use of funds in the program?
Generally speaking, eligible use of funds includes funding business activities to scale your company, which may include R&D, product development, sales and marketing, team growth.
Applications Currently Closed
Thank you for your interest in our program.
Applications for AC:Studio are now closed. Leave us your contact details and we will let you know when applications open.