Acceleration Program

Acceleration Program — Accelerator/Incubator Operators)

Supports Canadian accelerator and incubator operators building growth programmes for AI ventures.

Scale AI's Acceleration Program channels funding to Canadian accelerator and incubator operators to enable them to deliver AI-focused growth financing, mentorship, and market-access support to AI startups and SMEs across the country. The applicant for this programme is the accelerator or incubator operator organisation, not an individual startup founder or company. Scale AI invests in third-party operator programmes — the operators then deploy resources to their startup cohorts — making this a delivery-via-partner funding model that is distinct from Scale AI's direct-to-company project funding track.

Eligible operators must be registered and operating in Canada. For-profit and non-profit accelerator or incubator organisations may apply; the programme is not open to universities, research organisations, or individual companies seeking direct support. Award amounts, match-funding requirements, and the detailed application process are not published on the public programme page as of mid-2026; the programme listing described its cohort list as forthcoming, indicating active intake is subject to a new cohort being finalised. Scale AI's overall portfolio is backed by CAD 284 million from the federal Government of Canada and CAD 53 million from the Government of Quebec.

Startup founders and companies that want to access Scale AI-backed support should not apply to this stream directly — instead, they should monitor announcements of supported accelerator programmes at scaleai.ca and engage through those partner organisations once a relevant cohort opens. Operators seeking to apply for funding to build or expand an AI-focused accelerator programme should contact Scale AI through the programme inquiry pathway on the acceleration section of the Scale AI website to obtain current application requirements and cohort timing.