Waterloo Startup Funding
Home to the University of Waterloo and its legendary co-op program, the Waterloo region punches above its weight with exceptional engineering talent and a strong culture of entrepreneurship. The birthplace of BlackBerry created a thriving tech ecosystem.
Why Start Up in Waterloo?
Key Strengths
- Top-tier engineering talent (University of Waterloo)
- Strong AI and quantum computing research
- Lower costs than Toronto (30 min away)
- Exceptional co-op program pipeline
- BlackBerry alumni network
- Perimeter Institute for theoretical physics
Top Industries
Waterloo Funding Programs
Government grants, tax credits, and local programs available to Waterloo startups
Ontario SR&ED Tax Credit
Waterloo Accelerators & Incubators
Programs that provide funding, mentorship, and resources to help your startup grow
Velocity
Student and alumni startups
Communitech
Tech startups across sectors
Concept
Hardware and IoT startups
Rev N
Social impact ventures
Active Investors in Waterloo
VCs, angels, and investment firms actively funding Waterloo startups
Golden Triangle Angel Network
Early-stage tech startups
Radical Ventures
AI and machine learning
Real Ventures
Seed-stage companies
BDC Capital
Tech companies
iNovia Capital
Early to growth-stage
Waterloo Success Stories
Inspiring companies that started and scaled from Waterloo
Clearpath Robotics
Robotics
Leading autonomous vehicle technology company
Kik
Messaging Platform
Acquired by MediaLab, 300M+ registered users
D2L
EdTech
Learning platform serving 15M+ learners globally
ApplyBoard
EdTech
Valued at $4B+, helps students study abroad
Waterloo Startup Resources
Coworking Spaces
- Communitech Hub
- Velocity Garage
- The Working Centre
- Catalyst137
- CBRE Workplace
Universities
- University of Waterloo
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- Conestoga College
Key Events
- True North
- Communitech Events
- Velocity Demo Days
- Waterloo Innovation Summit
- Tech Leadership Conference
Free Funding Tools
No signup — assess eligibility, prep your T661, and estimate credits before you file.
Ready to Fund Your Waterloo Startup?
Access SR&ED tax credits, local grants, and connect with Waterloo's investor community