Proud to Work

National Capital Region · Ontario

Ottawa

Ottawa pairs the Kanata North technology park, Canada's largest, with the federal government as both a customer and a research partner. Invest Ottawa anchors the support ecosystem from Bayview Yards and the Area X.O test complex.

21 resources · Checked September 2026

Programs marked Provincial apply anywhere in Ontario. See Canada-wide programs →

Grants & funding 8

Provincial innovation agency running commercialization, industry-academic and sector programs including OVIN and the Life Sciences Innovation Fund.

For Ontario technology companies and researchers commercializing IP

Ontario-funded digital adoption support offering DMAP planning grants, technology demonstration funding and a retail modernization grant.

For Ontario for-profit SMEs with 1-499 employees, at least one year old

Refundable 8 percent tax credit on eligible scientific research and experimental development expenditures carried out in Ontario.

For Ontario corporations claiming federal SR&ED

Grants and interest-free loans for capital projects that diversify markets and re-shore supply chains disrupted by U.S. tariffs.

For Ontario for-profit firms, 3+ years operating, 5+ employees, tariff-affected

Summer Company

Provincial

Provincial grant of up to $3,000 plus mentorship for students who run their own business over the summer.

For Ontario students aged 15 to 29 returning to school

Federal regional development agency offering repayable and non-repayable contributions to businesses and business-support organizations.

For Businesses and not-for-profits across southern Ontario

FedDev Ontario support for technology adoption, market development and supply-chain projects by firms hit by trade disruption.

For Southern Ontario firms with 5 to 499 employees, incorporated 3+ years

Federal program funding R&D and prototype testing when small businesses solve published government innovation challenges.

For Canadian small businesses selling innovation to federal departments

Accelerators & incubators 2

Invest Ottawa

Non-profit

Ottawa's lead economic development agency, running the IO Ignition, Flex, Accelerator and ScaleUp programs for technology ventures.

For Ottawa technology founders from idea stage to high growth

L-SPARK

Private

Kanata-based corporate accelerator running enterprise-partnered cohorts, currently the TELUS AI and Mitel UC accelerators.

For B2B SaaS and AI startups seeking enterprise partnerships

Investors 4

Ontario pre-seed co-investment fund that invests up to $250,000 alongside private investors in campus-linked startups.

For Ontario startups under five years old built on academic or incubator IP

Venture Ontario

Provincial

Ontario's venture capital investment agency, backing venture funds and making direct investments in high-potential technology companies.

For Ontario technology companies and the VC funds that back them

Ottawa-Gatineau angel network that screens founder applications monthly and runs the MASHUP pitchfest for pre-seed rounds.

For Pre-seed and seed startups in software, hardware, cleantech and life sciences

Seed-stage venture firm with an Ottawa office investing in pre-seed and seed enterprise AI and software companies.

For Pre-seed and seed enterprise software founders

Government services 3

Invest Ontario

Provincial

Provincial agency that guides companies through site selection, expansion and investment decisions in priority sectors.

For Firms expanding or relocating operations to Ontario

Ottawa's Small Business Enterprise Centre, delivering advisory services, Starter Company Plus, Summer Company and an e-commerce accelerator.

For Ottawa small business owners and non-tech entrepreneurs

Free federal service teaching businesses how to find tenders on CanadaBuys and navigate the government procurement process.

For Small and diverse suppliers bidding on federal contracts

Industry & trade 1

The National Capital Region's chamber of commerce, providing advocacy, networking forums and business development resources to members.

For Ottawa-Gatineau businesses of all sizes and sectors

Community 1

Hub350

Non-profit

Kanata North Business Association hub connecting founders, students and investors to the park's 540+ technology companies.

For Founders, talent and partners working with Kanata North tech firms

Workspace & labs 2

Bayview Yards

Non-profit

Ottawa's innovation hub with office space, a digital media lab, maker space and event venues, operated by Invest Ottawa.

For Ottawa startups, scaleups and innovation event organizers

Area X.O

Non-profit

Secure 1,850-acre R&D complex with a 16 km test track, 5G networks and drone facilities for smart mobility and autonomy testing.

For Companies testing autonomous vehicles, drones, agtech and connected systems