Student and Youth Entrepreneurs in Ontario: Directory of Funding & Support Sources

ByMaurice
A young entrepreneur gives a presentation on startup strategies indoors with a flip chart.

This page is a directory of sources of business funding that support Student and Youth Entrepreneurs in Ontario. The page will be regularly updated to ensure that funding sources are current. 

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🇨🇦 Federal Organizations Supporting Student & Youth Entrepreneurs

Type of OrganizationOrganizationWhat They Do
Financing Non-ProfitBusiness in the StreetsNon-profit that equips 18–34-year-olds with entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and access to micro-funding to launch and grow ventures.
FoundationLaidlaw FoundationOntario funder backing youth-led projects with grants and capacity-building; several streams support entrepreneurship and social enterprise.
FoundationVenture for CanadaNational charity that develops young entrepreneurs through startup internships, fellowships, and entrepreneurial skills training.
FoundationIndigenous Youth RootsProvides small grants and guidance for Indigenous youth to run entrepreneurship and social-enterprise projects in their communities.
NetworkJunior Achievement CanadaDelivers hands-on financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship programs for students from elementary through high school.
NetworkProject Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada)Helps employers hire youth in nature-based sectors via wage subsidies and mentorship, giving young people paid “green jobs” experience.
Research OrganizationMitacs (Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems)Connects students and postdocs with businesses through funded innovation placements (e.g., research internships and business strategy projects) that build startup and R&D capacity.
Impact Investment CompanyYouth Social Innovation Capital FundProvides loans and support to youth-led social enterprises, helping founders finance and scale impact ventures.
Venture Capital FirmProMontreal Entrepreneurs (PME)Early-stage program offering seed funding, mentorship, and a strong founder network to student and recent-grad startups in the Montreal area.

🇨🇦 Ontario Organizations Supporting Student & Youth Entrepreneurs

Type of OrganizationOrganizationWhat They Do
Applied Research and Commercialization HubMcMaster University Research & InnovationGateway to McMaster’s innovation ecosystem, supporting student/faculty startups with commercialization advice, industry partnerships, and investor connections.
Applied Research and Commercialization HubUniversity of Waterloo Commercialization Office (WatCo)Manages IP and licensing and helps student/faculty innovators spin out and scale companies with industry-ready commercialization support.
Applied Research and Commercialization HubDunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation CentreQueen’s hub offering incubators, the QICSI summer accelerator, pitch competitions, coaching, and venture funding for student and community founders.
Applied Research and Commercialization HubInnovation YorkYork University’s tech-transfer office that supports IP protection, licensing, and industry partnerships, alongside venture programs through YSpace.
Applied Research and Commercialization HubGeorgian College Research and InnovationApplied research hub that embeds students with industry partners and supports SMEs and student founders with labs, projects, and funding pathways.
Entrepreneurship CentreMcMaster University Industry, Investors, & EntrepreneurshipConnects investors and industry to McMaster innovators, offering venture support, showcase opportunities, and startup resources.
Entrepreneurship CentreUniversity of Toronto EntrepreneurshipA network of U of T accelerators and incubators (e.g., UTEST, ICUBE, The Hatchery) providing mentorship, space, and funding for student-led ventures.
Entrepreneurship CentreJohn F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise (University of Guelph)Student entrepreneurship centre offering incubators, funding, mentorship, and makerspace access to launch and grow startups.
Entrepreneurship CentreUniversity of Ottawa Entrepreneurship HubCampus hub providing coaching, programming, workspace, and connections to help students and researchers build ventures.
Entrepreneurship CentreBrock University EntrepreneurshipSupports student and community founders with ideation programs, makerspace, mentorship, and startup incubation.
Entrepreneurship CentreWestern Morissette Institute for EntrepreneurshipCoordinates Western’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including the Western Accelerator, courses, and venture coaching.
Entrepreneurship CentreToronto Met Entrepreneur InstitutePromotes entrepreneurship education, mentoring, and community programs across TMU’s ecosystem (alongside Zone Learning).
Entrepreneurship CentreUWindsor Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre)University of Windsor’s entrepreneurship centre offering incubators, competitions, mentorship, and collaborative workspace for student and community startups.
Entrepreneurship CentreOCAD Creative EntrepreneurshipHelps emerging artists and designers turn creative practice into viable businesses through workshops, advising, and industry connections.
Entrepreneurship CentreLakehead Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship ResearchFosters commercialization and venture creation by connecting students and researchers with mentorship, partners, and funding programs.
Entrepreneurship CentreOntarioTech University Centre for Advanced Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE)Supports student/faculty innovators with industry partnerships, prototyping space, and venture support.
Entrepreneurship CentreInnovation York For EntepreneursYork University’s entrepreneur programs and incubators (tech and CPG/food) offering mentorship, programming, and market-entry support.
Entrepreneurship CentreGeorgian College Entpreneurship CentreThe Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre provides mentoring, training, investor connections, and applied projects for founders.
Industry Partnership ProgramDavid Johnston Research + Technology Park University of WaterlooA campus tech park that links startups and scaleups with Waterloo research, talent, and a supportive community to grow.
Industry Partnership ProgramQueens Partnerships and InnovationConnects companies with Queen’s research and talent and supports startups with IP services, incubation, and accelerator programming.
Industry Partnership ProgramToronto Metropolitan University Research PartnershipsHelps businesses collaborate with TMU researchers and access funding programs to co-develop and commercialize innovations.
Industry Partnership ProgramResearch Partnerships with the University of WindsorFacilitates industry collaboration, funding access (e.g., Mitacs/NSERC), and IP agreements to advance company R&D and commercialization.
AssociationLearnSphereOffers practical business-skills training and coaching (including youth-friendly modules) to help entrepreneurs strengthen management and growth capabilities.
AcceleratorThe Knowledge Society (TKS)A selective program for high-school innovators focused on emerging tech, problem-solving, and building real-world projects with mentorship.
AcceleratorShad ValleyA month-long STEAM + entrepreneurship program for high-school students that culminates in design challenges, with a national alumni network and ongoing opportunities.

âś… Related Resources for Student and Young Entrepreneurs in Ontario

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About the author

Maurice

Maurice (Moe) Muise learned the ins-and-outs of government while an employee of the Government of Canada in Ottawa for 10 years. His current focus is helping small businesses in Ontario to identify and maximize government grants to grow their business. Click here to learn more about Moe’s background and how he can help your business.