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Business Acceleration Program

The Business Acceleration Program (BAP) supports the growth and development of regional innovation ecosystems across Ontario. Since 2007, we have worked with our network partners regionally to create, share and integrate coordinated entrepreneurship services. Together we have been helping innovation entrepreneurs develop the skills and opportunities they need to move successfully into the global marketplace.

The Business Acceleration Program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, and coordinated by MaRS.

Launched in October 2013 as part of the Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy, the Youth Business Acceleration Program supports the development of entrepreneurial talent in youth aged 18-29. Working in partnership with Regional Innovation Centres and Campus-Linked Accelerators, this extension of the Business Acceleration Program equips young entrepreneurs with the tools and skills required to start and grow successful technology businesses.

Regional Innovation Support

We provide funding to support venture services, entrepreneur outreach activities and small business grants at 17 Regional Innovation Centres. As a network of organizations, with our partners, we support program and service development as a collaborative to help build regional innovation and entrepreneurship.

Regional Innovation Centre Partners

For further information about how to access the BAP and Youth BAP programs, please connect with your Regional Innovation Centre at a city near you or visit www.onebusiness.ca.

Market Intelligence

Ontario entrepreneurs can have access to current, relevant and timely information about their industries, competitors, markets, potential investors and partners, intellectual property and best business practices — all at no cost.

All of our services are provided by information specialists and industry analysts with expertise in IT, software, telecommunications, biotech, cleantech, pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

See the MaRS Market Intelligence page for details.

Entrepreneurship Programs

Are entrepreneurs born or made? At MaRS, we believe that you are born with drive but that entrepreneurship can be learned with the right methodology and tools.

In our Entrepreneur’s Toolkit, we offer entrepreneurship programs and resources to help you navigate successfully through the different stages of your growing business. Get unparalleled access to business and sector knowledge and experts through diverse event series and workshops or via our hundreds of online resources that cover all aspects of building a winning venture.

MaRS Library

The MaRS Library is a comprehensive suite of free online resources (articles, videos, templates, workbooks, reports and curated resource lists) to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their business.

Entrepreneurship 101

Tap in to the knowledge and experience of other entrepreneurs and experts via our online courses. Our flagship course, Entrepreneurship 101, is a self-guided, online course that covers critical business topics for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs. Sign up for Entrepreneurship 101 here. Check out our other upcoming entrepreneurship and innovation event series here.

Workshops

Entrepreneur’s Toolkit Workshops are practical hands-on workshops facilitated by experienced entrepreneurs. These sessions offer startups tools, mentoring and peer feedback to solve specific problems and build essential business components.

Find out more about our five regularly running workshop series and our new 12-week Intensive Programs here.

Funding for Startups

We run granting funds that focus on accelerating ventures by engaging key business talent that will help them reach their next growth milestone.

Embark Funding

Embark Funding supports novel Ontario-based technology ventures by engaging a young professional (aged 22-29) in a business role who will work within the venture for a short term.

To learn more, visit Embark Funding.

Embedded Executive

Embedded Executive Funding helps place a C-level or other senior-level executive with an Ontario-based technology venture to help them get to their next growth milestone.

To learn more, visit Embedded Executive.