OCE supports development of new technologies and ideas with demonstrated commercial potential. We also support and invest in early-stage projects, where the probability of commercial success and potential total return on innovation are substantial.
Popular OCE Programs for Entrepreneurs & Start-ups
Market Readiness directly funds early-stage commercialization of IP resulting from research conducted at an Ontario-based academic institution or a company based at a Campus Linked Accelerator (CLA) by newly created start-up companies. Learn More >
SmartStart Seed Fund provides seed financing and financing for entrepreneurship skills training to Ontario-based start-ups led by young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 29, helping them grow their companies and make them investment and customer ready. Learn More >
Entrepreneurship Fellowships support the development of an Ontario student or graduating student (within the last three years) to create an innovative start-up with an economic impact in Ontario.
- David McFadden Energy Entrepreneur Challenge awards $25,000 and a suite of business services to one university or college student to assist in advancing the business concept that addresses the energy challenge issued that year.
- Martin Walmsley Fellowship for Entrepreneurship supports the commercialization of Ontario-based academic IP by awarding $50,000 a year for two years to a master's, PhD or post-doctoral fellow, graduate student or recent graduate within the last three years to turn their innovation based on science, technology or advanced engineering design into a viable business.
Learn More > VIP helps established companies develop, implement and commercialize technical innovations by supporting partnerships between Ontario's industry and academia. Learn More >
AdvancingHealth bolsters innovation in Ontario’s healthcare sector by supporting collaborative demonstration projects between companies, public healthcare organizations and academic institutions that show clear potential for scaling-up to the system-level and establish a strong case for adoption. Learn More >
Explore supports unconventional and highly innovative research projects with the potential to strongly impact the drug discovery process. Learn More >
MSc PoP helps commercialize promising life sciences and medical technology intellectual property (IP) developed at Ontario publicly funded academic research institutions (universities, colleges and research hospitals). Learn More >
OSIV supports capacity building and growth of Ontario's social entrepreneurs and enterprises by providing access to relevant training programs. Learn More >
An initiative of Ontario Centres of Excellence and the China Canada Angels Alliance (CCAA), CAMP is a virtual incubator designed to help start-ups prepare their businesses for the Chinese market. Learn More >
The GlobalStart Voucher Pilot Program is a nomination-based voucher program. It supports youth-led start-ups engaged with CLAs/OCEAs and RICs across Ontario that are targeting a market outside of Canada. Learn More >