Vancouver has rapidly become a powerhouse of innovation in Canada, particularly for early-stage tech ventures. With a thriving ecosystem supported by local government, provincial agencies, academic institutions, and corporate partners, startups are now tapping into a diverse range of non‑dilutive grant opportunities. These grants fuel innovation in sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), clean tech, digital health, creative tech, and advanced manufacturing. The following sections provide a detailed overview of the most significant grant programs available to startup founders in Vancouver as of 2025.
Why Vancouver Is a Hub for Tech Innovation
Vancouver boasts a vibrant and expanding startup ecosystem. As of 2025, more than 12,000 tech companies operate in the region, employing over 180,000 skilled workers and contributing more than CAD $31 billion annually to B.C.’s economy. The local government has prioritized sectors such as AI, climate tech, biotech, SaaS, and robotics creating a compelling environment for entrepreneurs.
Complemented by proximity to U.S. West Coast markets and access to international customer bases, Vancouver is also highly competitive in terms of research excellence and venture capital investment. With multiple universities, accelerators, and innovation hubs, tech startups have access to resources often reserved for much larger ecosystems.
BC AI Innovation Fund
Overview
Launched in mid-2025, the BC AI Innovation Fund stands out as British Columbia’s marquee non-dilutive support mechanism for early-to-mid-stage AI startups. Jointly administered by Innovate BC and federal partners, the program provides substantial capital to scale AI-driven innovations relevant to priority sectors such as healthcare, clean energy, transportation, public safety, and education.
Grant Details
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Up to CAD $500,000 awarded per startup
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Project-based, non-repayable funding
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Additional support in the form of mentorship, infrastructure access, and pilot program opportunities with public agencies and provincial institutions
Eligibility Criteria
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Must be an incorporated business based in British Columbia
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Core product or service must rely on AI or machine learning
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Solutions should address domains aligned with provincial focus such as public sector digital transformation, smart mobility, climate resilience, or enterprise AI
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Proposals evaluated based on innovation quality, economic potential, and local job creation capability
Why It’s Important
This fund offers exceptional value to founders seeking major early capital without giving up equity. It is well-suited for teams with working prototypes or a minimum viable product (MVP) who are ready for scale.
Innovate BC Grant Programs
Overview
Innovate BC is British Columbia’s crown agency for public technology support and commercialization. It provides grant capital combined with mentorship, lab access, and networking to help validated startups hit commercialization milestones.
Notable Programs
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Ignite Program: Supports tech collaboration between startups and partners (academic, municipal, or corporate) with awards of up to CAD $300,000
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BC Fast Pilot Program: Enables startups to test technologies with real customers (municipalities, school boards, healthcare institutions) with flexible grants
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New Ventures BC Competition: Provincial startup competition that provides seed capital, in-kind services, and media exposure to emerging teams
Value Proposition
Innovate BC grants are especially suitable for founders pursuing pilot deployments, validation in local markets, or industry partnership collaborations. These programs provide both non-dilutive capital and valuable exposure within B.C.’s innovation ecosystem.
PacifiCan Integrated Marketplace and Regional Innovation Projects
Program Description
The federal Pacific Economic Development Agency (PacifiCan) runs tailored regional innovation initiatives to help B.C. entrepreneurs pilot and deploy new technologies. These projects connect startups with governmental and industrial user partners to generate real-world impact.
Grant Highlights
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Covers up to 50% of eligible project costs, including travel, prototyping, pilot execution, and testing
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Funding size varies depending on project scale and partnership structure
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Supports integration into markets such as transportation, aerospace, municipal services, or digital health
Strategic Advantage
PacifiCan’s approach seeks to de-risk commercialization by pairing startups with public-sector milestones and credible deployment channels. The model ensures later-stage credibility and access to institutional clients especially advantageous for enterprise-focused solutions.
Vancity Innovation House Startup Grant
Program Overview
Vancity Innovation House is a publicly funded initiative aimed at accelerating frontier technologies via early-stage pitch-based support. Startups apply via short video pitches and supporting one-pagers rather than formal grant applications.
Grant Details
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Non-dilutive grants ranging from CAD $10,000 to $25,000
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Venue for digital pitch submission followed by evaluation from a panel of regional entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners
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Especially useful for seed-stage companies in verticals such as creative technology, VR/AR, fintech, social innovation, and clean tech
Eligibility
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Founder must be based in Vancouver or surrounding B.C. region
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Technology should reflect early-stage innovation and societal or economic impact
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Business model need not yet be revenue-positive, but founders must demonstrate potential scalability
Why Founders Use It
This opportunity offers early visibility, validation, and capital without requiring extensive documentation or upfront equity transfers ideal for teams just building early prototypes.
Scale-Up Vancouver Cohort Program
Program Structure
Scale-Up Vancouver is a curated cohort of high-potential companies transitioning from seed to growth stage. It provides advisory services, strategic guidance, and scaling connections rather than direct equity funding.
Cohort Benefits
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Non-dilutive advisory support valued at CAD $50,000
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Access to a network of investors, potential corporate customers across Canada and the U.S.
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Workshops focused on growth strategy, hiring plans, regulatory readiness, and investor pitches
Eligibility Requirements
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Company must be based in Vancouver or B.C.
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Must have generated some revenue or secured initial investment
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Product-market fit established or near-complete
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Vision for national or international expansion
Value for Startups
This program is powerful for founders looking to transition from proof-of-concept to scaled operations. With curated support and in-kind value, it strengthens market-readiness without requiring equity compromises.
Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)
Description
A federal initiative open to Canadian small businesses including tech startups focused on digital transformation. While smaller grants, the program is accessible and straightforward for entrepreneurs needing software or consulting support.
Grant Streams
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Boost Your Business Technology: Up to CAD $15,000 for advisory support to adopt digital tools or software (e.g. CRM, cybersecurity)
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Grow Your Business Online: CAD $2,400 for e-commerce platform implementation
Eligibility
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Registered Canadian business with annual revenue over CAD $30,000
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At least one full-time paid employee
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Willingness to work with approved CDAP advisors
Application Strategy
Tech startups offering digital solutions or professional services can leverage this grant to offset implementation costs—making the tools affordable without investor capital.
Mitacs Accelerate and Elevate Programs
Overview
Mitacs connects startups with graduate student and postdoctoral researchers to collaboratively advance R&D projects with real-world commercialization goals.
Program Features
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Accelerate: Grants of CAD $15,000 to $30,000+ co-funded between Mitacs and startups, leveraging university-level research around product development
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Elevate: Longer-term postdoctoral fellowships with salary support and structured professional development over two years
Business Benefits
Startups gain access to scientific and technical talent without full-cost hiring, accelerating product R&D while building academic-industry collaboration credibility.
NRC IRAP —Industrial Research Assistance Program
Overview
Natural Resources Canada’s NRC IRAP supports SMEs engaged in technological innovation through dedicated advisor guidance and funding support.
Funding Scope
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Ranges typically from CAD 50,000 to over CAD 500,000 depending on project complexity, pilot size, and technology category
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Covers staff time, prototyping costs, technical development, and commercialization groundwork
Why It Works
Founder-friendly and ambitious, IRAP supports realistic development milestones, making it appealing for companies aiming for scale with sustained R&D efforts.
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
Description
Strategic Innovation Fund is tailored for large-scale innovation investments across Canada. Though generally reserved for advanced projects, startup-led collaborations or scaling ventures may qualify as they mature.
Key Characteristics
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Non-repayable and repayable funding options depending on the project
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Project size threshold usually set above CAD $10 million
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Fit for startups pursuing major expansions or capital-intensive launches in clean tech, AI, aerospace, or industrial manufacturing
Strategic Relevance
SIF represents a potential funding lifeline for startups planning infrastructure-heavy launches, especially when combined with private-sector partners.
How to Maximize Grant Application Success
To secure these grants, founders should apply a strategic and structured approach:
Match the Right Grant with Your Startup Stage
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Pre-seed or prototype phase: Pursue Vancity Innovation House, Innovate BC Fast Pilot, or BC AI Fund
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Seed to scale-up phase: Consider Scale-Up cohort, Mitacs partnerships, IRAP funding
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Enterprise or large-scale expansion: Look at PacifiCan regional projects or Strategic Innovation Fund
Align With Funding Objectives
Frame your grant proposals to highlight alignment with government priorities such as:
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AI implementation for public services
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Environmental or climate resilience impacts
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Digital transformation of provincial operations
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Inclusive or social innovation outcomes
Quantify Economic Outcomes
Outcomes such as:
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Number of local jobs created
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Revenue growth projections
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export potential
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tax base contributions
Strengthen proposals by showing civic and economic return.
Engage Partnerships
Collaborations (e.g. universities, public agencies, municipal clients) strengthen proposals especially under Innovate BC or PacifiCan grants requiring matched activities.
Maintain Investor-Ready Documentation
While non-dilutive funding is the objective, funding agencies often check readiness able leadership teams, technical feasibility, market validation and application completeness matters more than ever.
Prepare Post-Award Governance
Successful grants require reporting. Startups should plan for:
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KPI tracking
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Financial and technical reporting
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Outcome measurement
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Compliance documentation
Conclusion
Vancouver offers a compelling ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs even in a globally competitive landscape. With significant non-dilutive funding sources such as:
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BC AI Innovation Fund
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Innovate BC Ignite and Pilot programs
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Vancity Innovation House Startup Grant
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Scale-Up Vancouver cohort support
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PacifiCan regional innovation pilots
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CDAP for digital adoption
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Mitacs Accelerate/Elevate
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NRC IRAP
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Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
startups can access substantial capital, ecosystem visibility, and technical support without having to relinquish equity prematurely.
For founders looking to scale responsibly and sustainably, the key lies in choosing the right program for their startup phase, aligning proposals with government and societal priorities, and preparing for rigorous execution and reporting. Vancouver’s grant ecosystem is rich but maximizing it depends on strategy, clarity, and execution.