25+ Best Startup Incubators & Accelerators in Toronto (2025 Guide)

If you are a founder looking to scale in 2025, Toronto is one of the best places in North America to build. But with over 80+ programs in the city, finding the right fit is difficult.

Whether you are looking for startup accelerators in Canada to fast-track growth or startup incubators in Toronto to nurture an early-stage idea, this guide covers them all. We have analyzed acceptance rates, equity terms, and funding amounts to bring you the most up-to-date list for 2025.

Before you apply, it is critical to know which "vehicle" fits your stage.

• Startup Incubators are for early-stage ideas. They function like a "greenhouse" for startups. They focus on product development, finding product-market fit, and often provide co-working space (like the DMZ or CSI). Programs can last from 6 months to 2 years.

• Startup Accelerators are for growth. They function like a "rocket booster." They are short-term (3–4 months), intense, and mentorship-driven, culminating in a "Demo Day" to pitch investors. They usually take equity in exchange for capital.

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These programs are world-class and often take zero or low equity, making them highly competitive.

Ranked as the #1 university-based tech incubator in the world, the DMZ is the crown jewel of Toronto’s ecosystem.

• Best For: Tech startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and early traction.

• Investment: Access to a vast investor network; DMZ Ventures provides follow-on funding.

• Equity: 2% for Pre-Incubator (9 months), 2.5% for Incubator (18 months).

• Notable Alumni: Softdrive, Borrowell.

• 2025 Update: The DMZ recently awarded a record-breaking $400,000 in funding at its Black Innovation Summit.

• Website: dmz.torontomu.ca

Located at the Rotman School of Management (U of T), CDL is unique. It is not an accelerator in the traditional sense; it is an objective-setting program for massively scalable, science-based companies.

• Best For: Deep tech, Space, AI, Health, and Blockchain.

• Investment: None directly, but high access to angel investment.

• Equity: 0% (They take no equity).

• Program Length: 9 months.

• 2025 Update: Look out for the newly launched CDL Defence stream for dual-use technologies and the continued expansion of their AI stream.

• Website: creativedestructionlab.com

The University of Toronto Early-Stage Technology (UTEST) program is designed to turn research into companies.

• Best For: IP-heavy startups, PhDs, and researchers.

• Investment: Up to $150,000 in funding.

• Notable Alumni: Deep Genomics, Waabi.

• Key Detail: Partnered with MaRS Innovation, this is the best path for commercializing academic research.

• Website: utest.to

York University’s pan-university incubator supporting both tech and consumer packaged goods (CPG).

• Best For: Food & Beverage startups (Consumer goods) and Technology.

• Equity: 0% (Non-equity based).

• 2025 Update: Their Food Accelerator is one of the few dedicated programs for food entrepreneurs in Ontario, featuring alumni like "Atome Bakery."

• Website: yorku.ca/yspace

The York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) offers an intense academic track for entrepreneurs.

• Best For: Founders who want a "mini-MBA" style education.

• Equity: 0% (Non-profit model).

• Website: yedi.ca

These programs are designed for speed, funding, and exit.

The Toronto chapter of the global Techstars network. It is arguably the most prestigious private accelerator in the city.

• Best For: High-growth startups looking for global reach.

• Investment: $20,000 for 6% equity + $100,000 convertible note (2025 Updated Terms).

• Program Length: 3 months.

• Why Apply: You get lifetime access to the worldwide Techstars network of mentors and investors.

• Website: techstars.com/accelerators

The world's largest pre-seed accelerator. This is where you go if you have a day job and an idea but need to validate it before quitting.

• Best For: Pre-seed founders, solo founders.

• Investment: None (You pay a course fee), but provides legal frameworks to issue equity.

• Dates: Spring 2025 applications usually close in February.

• Website: fi.co/apply/toronto

A hybrid corporate venture studio and VC firm. They build new startups with large corporations rather than just funding existing ones.

• Best For: Experienced founders who want to co-build with corporate backing.

• Investment: $50k - $1M+ depending on the venture stage.

• Notable Focus: Vertical focus areas like DentalTech and FinTech.

• Website: highlinebeta.com

A charity-backed organization that focuses on "founder development" rather than just business acceleration.

• Next 36: For students/recent grads. Selects 36 young founders to build Canada's next unicorn.

• Next AI: For ventures using AI as a core differentiator.

• Investment: Up to $150k available for top teams.

• Application: Annual cohorts typically start accepting applications in October/November.

• Website: nextcanada.com

Located at the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), Climate Ventures supports entrepreneurs working on the low-carbon economy.

• Best For: Cleantech, sustainability, and social impact.

• Model: Fee-based coworking + "Earth Tech" accelerator programs.

• Website: climateventures.org

Toronto excels at specialized support for underrepresented groups and specific industries.

A hub connecting women's health technology companies.

• 2025 Update: Recently launched the wHealth MedPath commercialization program with Innovation Factory, offering ~$20k in support services.

• Best For: Women's health startups.

• Website: femtech.ca

A radically generic "perpetual fund" for women and non-binary entrepreneurs.

• Model: 0% Interest Loans. It is not a traditional accelerator; it is a community-supported loan fund (approx $1100 CAD annual contribution to join the network).

• Best For: Social impact ventures led by women.

• Website: coralus.world

While based in Montreal, they are the premier fintech accelerator in Canada and highly active in the Toronto ecosystem.

• Best For: Financial technology, Insurtech.

• Equity: 0% (Non-profit).

• Website: fintechcadence.com

Toronto has specific streams to support Black founders, ensuring equitable access to capital and mentorship.

• DMZ Black Innovation Program: Offers $10k grants and dedicated mentorship.

• FoundersBoost: Often runs diversity-focused cohorts.

• Websites: DMZ BIP | FoundersBoost

OneEleven is not for early-stage startups; it is a "scale-up" hub. It is designed specifically for post-seed companies that have already found product-market fit and are in rapid growth mode. They focus on the specific challenges of scaling operations, talent, and sales.

• Best For: Series A or high-growth seed companies.

• Requirement: Typically requires $1M+ in funding or equivalent ARR.

• Location: Downtown Toronto (Front St).

• Website: oneeleven.com

MaRS is one of the world's largest urban innovation hubs. Unlike a traditional accelerator with a fixed 3-month cohort, MaRS offers ongoing advisory services, market intelligence, and access to capital for high-impact ventures. It is the physical and gravitational center of Toronto’s tech ecosystem.

• Best For: Health, Cleantech, Fintech, and Enterprise software.

• Offerings: Venture services, office space, and massive networking events.

• Website: marsdd.com

Recently rebranded to reflect its expanding mandate, Global Startups is a designated organization for Canada’s Startup Visa Program. They specialize in helping international technology companies—originally from Latin America and now globally—scale their business into North America.

• Best For: International founders seeking a "soft landing" in Canada.

• Program: Focuses on market validation and business immigration.

• Website: globalstartups.tech

Located in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), The Forge is the startup incubator for McMaster University. It is particularly strong for hardware and physical product startups due to its makerspace resources and ties to McMaster’s engineering prowess.

• Best For: Manufacturing, Hardware, and Medical Devices.

• Equity: 0% (No equity taken).

• Website: theforge.mcmaster.ca

Established in 1987, TFI is the world’s first fashion incubator. It is a non-profit dedicated to supporting fashion entrepreneurs. Unlike tech accelerators, they provide physical studio space, sewing equipment, and mentorship specifically for the apparel industry.

• Best For: Fashion designers and apparel brands.

• Unique Perk: On-site production equipment and showroom space.

• Website: fashionincubator.on.ca

Based at the UTM campus, ICUBE offers programs for early-stage startups with a strong emphasis on social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation. They offer flexible co-working and mentorship without the pressure of a "unicorn-or-bust" mentality.

• Best For: Social impact ventures and student founders at UTM.

• Programs: "Explore" (Ideation) and "Build" (Go-to-market).

• Website: icubeutm.ca

HELIX (Health Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle Innovation Xchange) is Seneca’s on-campus incubator. It focuses on developing the "intrapreneurial" mindset as much as the business itself. It is open to students and the broader community.

• Best For: Health and lifestyle innovators.

• Model: Focuses heavily on coaching and personal development.

• Website: senecapolytechnic.ca/helix

Affiliated with Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), this is a niche accelerator based in Brampton tailored exclusively for cybersecurity scale-ups. It is the premier hub for cyber innovation in Canada.

• Best For: Cybersecurity and privacy startups.

• Investment: Access to corporate partners like Rogers, RBC, and Herjavec Group.

• Website: cybersecurecatalyst.ca

While located in Waterloo (part of the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor), Communitech is essential to the Toronto ecosystem. It is a massive "clubhouse" for the tech community, supporting founders at every stage—from ideation to IPO.

• Best For: Tech companies willing to commute or based in the corridor.

• Scale: Supports over 1,400 companies.

• Website: communitech.ca

The University of Waterloo’s incubator, Velocity, is famous for producing unicorns like Kik and North. It is widely regarded as the most productive incubator in Canada by startup volume and funding raised.

• Best For: Deep tech, hardware, and ambitious software startups.

• Track Record: Velocity companies have raised over $4.3 billion USD.

• Website: velocityincubator.com

Born from one of Toronto’s biggest success stories (Wattpad), this division occasionally runs initiatives and accelerator-style programs for storytellers and IP creators looking to adapt their work for screens and publishing.

• Best For: Content creators, writers, and narrative-driven startups.

• Focus: Intellectual Property (IP) development.

• Website: company.wattpad.com

The DMZ and Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) are widely considered the top programs due to their track records of producing successful alumni and their high international rankings.

It depends. Techstars takes ~6%, and the DMZ takes 2-2.5%. However, university-led programs like CDL and YSpace usually take 0% equity.

Yes. Programs like LatAm Startups and Techstars Toronto specifically recruit international founders. Canada’s Startup Visa Program is often linked to acceptance in these designated organizations.

Beyond accelerators, you can look for government grants (SR&ED, IRAP) or pitch to local Angel Groups like Maple Leaf Angels or York Angel Investors.

Securing a spot in one of Toronto’s top startup incubators or accelerators is a game-changer. It gives you the network, mentorship, and funding to turn a concept into a company. But acceptance is just the starting line.

To truly succeed in programs like the DMZ, Techstars, or CDL, you need more than just a pitch deck. You need a product that works, scales, and delights users.

That is where Modall comes in.

We are Toronto’s premier product development partner for startups. Unlike traditional agencies that just "write code," we act as your technical co-founder. We specialize in taking founders from idea to MVP and from Seed to Series A.

• 100% In-House Toronto Team: We don't outsource. Your product is built right here in the GTA by developers who understand your market.

• MVP Specialization: We know you need to move fast. We build robust MVPs designed to validate your hypothesis and secure your next round of funding.

• Full-Cycle Support: From initial product discovery and UI/UX design to complex AI integrations and mobile app development, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on growth.

Whether you are applying to NEXT Canada with a napkin sketch or scaling a fintech platform in the MaRS Discovery District, we have the engineering firepower to make it happen.

Ready to build? Contact Modall today to book a free discovery call. Let's turn your acceptance letter into a market-leading product.

Disclaimer: Program details, funding amounts, equity terms, and application deadlines are subject to change. For the most current and official information, please visit the respective accelerator or incubator's official website using the links provided.