Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Montreal, Canada

Montreal has become one of Canada's most exciting startup cities, blending French and English cultures with strong technical talent. The city is known for its world-class universities, affordable living costs, and buzzing creative scene. Montreal has particularly made a name for itself in artificial intelligence, gaming, and innovative technology, attracting entrepreneurs from across Canada and around the world.

This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators shaping Montreal's evolving startup landscape. These programs support domestic and international startups seeking to establish themselves in the Canadian market.

Top 15 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Montreal, Canada

1. Centech

Target Audience: Deep tech startups

Niche: Hardware and advanced technology

Centech is a world-class deep tech accelerator and incubator based in Montreal. It helps startups that are developing new hardware and advanced technology products. It offers two main programs: Propulsion (an accelerator) and Acceleration (an incubator), with tailored mentorship. It also provides access to specialized equipment and a network of industry experts.

2. TandemLaunch

Target Audience: University technology startups

Niche: Research commercialization

TandemLaunch is a unique program that turns university research into real companies. It builds startups around promising technologies from research labs, particularly in areas like optics and AI. It provides funding, mentorship, and hands-on operational support to help these technical ideas become businesses. It also connects academic innovations with commercial partners and markets.

3. District 3 Innovation

Target Audience: University-affiliated entrepreneurs

Niche: Multi-sector innovation

District 3 is an innovation hub located at Concordia University in Montreal. It supports diverse teams and scientific entrepreneurs across many different industries. It provides workspace, mentorship, and practical resources for early-stage startups and creates a collaborative community where founders can learn from each other.

4. CEIM (Centre d'entreprises et d'innovation de Montréal)

Target Audience: Technology startups

Niche: Early-stage growth support

CEIM is a comprehensive support center for technology startups in Montreal. It provides personalized coaching, consulting services, and flexible workspace for new companies. It offers programs designed to help startups overcome common early-stage growth challenges and connects founders with resources and opportunities in the Quebec business ecosystem.

5. The Holt Xchange

Target Audience: Financial technology startups

Niche: Fintech innovation

The Holt Xchange is Montreal's specialized accelerator for financial technology startups. It provides access to mentorship from financial industry experts and investors, offers resources specifically designed for startups in the banking, insurance, and financial services sectors, and connects fintech founders with industry partners and potential customers.

6. Founder Institute Montreal

Target Audience: Pre-seed entrepreneurs

Niche: Company formation

Founder Institute Montreal is the local chapter of this global pre-seed startup accelerator. Through a structured program, it helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into actual companies. It provides mentorship, practical feedback, and step-by-step guidance for early-stage founders and creates a foundation for companies before they apply to other accelerators.

7. Groupe 3737

Target Audience: Diverse entrepreneurs

Niche: Inclusive entrepreneurship

Groupe 3737 is an innovation hub focused on supporting entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. It provides workspace, mentorship programs, and business resources in an inclusive environment. It offers tailored support addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented founders and builds a community that celebrates diversity in entrepreneurship.

8. NextAI Montreal

Target Audience: AI-enabled ventures

Niche: Artificial intelligence commercialization

NextAI is a specialized accelerator for startups using artificial intelligence in their products. It provides funding, education, and mentorship specifically for AI-focused ventures. It offers access to computational resources and a network of AI researchers and practitioners. It also connects startups with corporate partners looking for AI solutions.

9. CDL-Montreal (Creative Destruction Lab)

Target Audience: Science-based startups

Niche: Scalable science ventures

CDL-Montreal is a seed-stage program for companies built around scientific discoveries and breakthroughs. It connects startups with experienced entrepreneurs and scientists who provide targeted mentorship. The program uses a structured, objectives-based structure to help companies grow rapidly and focuses on turning scientific innovations into high-value businesses.

10. Prompt

Target Audience: Research partnerships

Niche: University-industry collaboration

Prompt is an organization that creates partnerships between universities and businesses in Montreal. It provides funding and support for collaborative research and development projects, helps companies access academic expertise to solve technical challenges, and assists in commercializing the results of these collaborative efforts.

11. Quantino

Target Audience: Quantum technology startups

Niche: Quantum computing and applications

Quantino is a specialized accelerator supporting the growing quantum technology sector in Montreal. It provides resources for quantum computing, sensing, and communications startups. It offers connections to quantum researchers, equipment, and potential customers. It also helps these highly technical ventures develop business models and find applications.

12. CTS (Centre de technologies du sport)

Target Audience: Sports technology ventures

Niche: Sports innovation

CTS focuses specifically on supporting startups developing technologies for sports and athletics. It provides specialized resources, testing facilities, and industry connections for sports tech. It offers access to athletes and sports organizations for product testing and feedback. It also helps sports technology companies reach international markets.

13. Espace-inc

Target Audience: Innovative projects across sectors

Niche: Multi-sector support

Espace-inc supports innovative projects and startups across various industries in Montreal. It provides coaching, resources, and workspace tailored to different types of ventures. It offers programs designed to address the specific needs of each startup. It also creates connections within the broader business community.

14. Inno-centre

Target Audience: Innovative companies

Niche: Technology commercialization

Inno-centre offers consulting services and support for companies developing new technologies. It helps businesses develop and commercialize their innovations through expert guidance. It provides access to specialists in different aspects of technology business development and connects companies with potential partners and funding sources.

15. La Ruche

Target Audience: Community-backed projects

Niche: Crowdfunding and community support

La Ruche combines a crowdfunding platform with support for entrepreneurial projects in Quebec. It helps startups raise funds while building community support for their ideas. It provides guidance on creating compelling campaigns that resonate with local supporters. It also connects projects with mentors and resources to help them succeed beyond funding.

AcceleratorApp's Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Montreal, Canada

What makes Montreal's startup scene special is its unique mix of creativity and technical expertise. The city has become particularly strong in artificial intelligence, video games, and creative technology by building on its cultural strengths and world-class universities.

Montreal offers entrepreneurs something special – an European feel in North America, with affordable living costs compared to cities like Toronto or San Francisco. This has attracted diverse talent from around the world, creating a vibrant international community where French and English mix with ideas from everywhere.

As Montreal continues to grow as a startup hub, it maintains a collaborative spirit where people help each other succeed. This community approach, combined with technical excellence and creative energy, has created a unique ecosystem helping Canadian innovation thrive on the world stage.