Spark Centre Launches Program to Connect Investment-Ready Canadian Startups with Investors Across North America

SCAP combines fundraising advisory, curated deal flow, and investor engagement to strengthen Canada’s early-stage capital pipeline.

Spark Centre has announced the launch of its Spark Capital Access Program (SCAP), an initiative designed to help Canadian startups become investment-ready, access early-stage capital, and connect with investors across Canada and the United States.

“Access to early-stage investment remains a significant challenge for Canadian entrepreneurs,” said Martin Yuill, executive director of Spark Centre. “SCAP will help founders prepare effectively, give investors access to curated Canadian deal flow, and build stronger connections across North America.”

Open to startups across Canada, SCAP is designed for post-revenue companies with market-ready products, demonstrated traction, and at least CAD $200,000 in revenue during the preceding 12 months. The sector-agnostic SCAP program welcomes innovation-driven companies across a wide range of industries, including health and life sciences, cleantech, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital media, agri-tech, agri-food, and other emerging sectors.

Selected companies will receive fundraising advisory and investor-readiness support to prepare for meaningful engagement with potential investors via regular Demo Days. There are no participation fees, and Spark Centre does not take equity in participating ventures.

SCAP is designed to create value for investors as well as founders. Investors will receive access to screened Canadian companies, helping them identify opportunities and improve the efficiency and quality of initial conversations.

Investor engagement will extend beyond the program’s Demo Days, however.

Spark Centre will share curated opportunities between events, facilitate targeted introductions, and host investor sessions, reverse-pitch events, and sector-specific showcases. Canadian investors may also refer portfolio companies preparing for future financing rounds to receive fundraising support and connect with a broader network of Canadian and U.S. investors.

“By combining preparation, curation, and ongoing investor engagement, SCAP is intended to make each interaction more productive for founders and investors,” said Karan Pandya, SCAP Program Manager.

The inaugural cohort is expected to include five Canadian companies. Following screening and advisory preparation, the companies will participate in the first virtual SCAP Demo Day, planned for October 2026. Curated Demo Days will be hosted regularly thereafter.

Applications are now open to eligible ventures across Canada. Investors, incubators, and innovation centres interested in participating or referring companies are also invited to connect with the SCAP team.

For information and applications, visit: https://sparkcentre.org/spark-capital-access-program/

About Spark Centre

Established in 2010, Spark Centre is an Ontario Regional Innovation Centre supporting innovative companies with advisory services, mentorship, specialized programming, partnerships, and access to capital services. Having supported more than 500 ventures, Spark Centre helps entrepreneurs successfully launch, commercialize, grow, and scale.

Sourc : Spark Centre