Build your startup

Build for global impact

The foundations of your high-growth company start here. Our Build program is designed to accelerate the growth of your early-stage science or technology company. 

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THE MaRS ADVANTAGE

Higher capital amounts raised compared to similar VC-backed ventures

MaRS supported ventures have generated over $11.5B in revenue since 2010

What you can expect 

  • Test your MVP
  • Build a defensible moat
  • Create and protect your IP
  • Develop your growth strategy
  • Raise capital
  • Build a scalable revenue engine
  • Hire your team and scale your culture
  • Prepare for your Seed to Series A fundraising rounds

What you can expect 

Ghada Nafie, Co-Founder & CEO, Litus Inc.

“MaRS has brought us into an entire ecosystem cheering for our success and giving us direction on how to reach our goals. The Seed Capital Program specifically has allowed us to reach new investment milestones that put us well on our path to commercialization.”

Natalie Duncan, Co-Founder & CEO, Bug Mars

“MaRS provided access to advisors and mentors who have helped my business, my network, and my confidence. The RBC Women in Cleantech program allowed me to develop systems needed to run my business with mentorship from other female entrepreneurs and connections to investors and customers.”

Malcolm Eade, Co-Founder & CEO, Spectra Plasmonics

“This has been the most productive program we’ve ever been a part of. The capital insights analysis has reframed our view of what the ecosystem looks like. This is the deepest analysis of our competitors we’ve seen.”

Erin Bury, Co-Founder & CEO, Willful

“I have already recommended the [Series A] program to others in my network. Being paired with the ‘been-there-done-that investor’ is invaluable, especially for first time founders.”

Eliav Shaked, Co-Founder & CEO, RetiSpec

“MaRS is more than a partner; they are a catalyst for innovation, propelling RetiSpec to new heights. Our gratitude knows no bounds, and we look forward to continued collaboration and growth on this transformative journey together.”

SERVICE OFFERINGS

What you get

  • Access to Startup Toolkit, a learning resource that covers all tech entrepreneur topics
  • Startup workshops led by experienced executives and entrepreneurs
  • Market research for lead generation and expansion
  • Membership to exclusive founder community 
  • Fundraising support
  • Networking events with like-minded peers 
  • PR and media opportunities
Apply now About Startup Services
SERVICE OFFERINGS

What you get

Recruitment criteria and application process

At minimum, founders must have:

  • identified an urgent problem that affects one of the impact areas MaRS focuses on: climate, health sciences or applied AI OR is developing a category-defining technology in another sector
  • built a minimum viable product
  • early customer interest
  • bootstrapped their operation or have early investment
  • a planned path to raise pre-seed investment for product or service

Past the stage described above? Learn about Grow or Scale

Apply to Build

Recruitment criteria and application process

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FEATURED STARTUPS

 

Litus
Retispec
Bug Mars
Willful
Spectra Plasmonics
Birdseye
Spotwork.
MetaFold

Ocean of opportunity: Planetary Technologies is looking to the sea to help the climate

The Halifax startup aims to improve the health of our oceans — and capture carbon in the process.

Computing at the speed of light

Toronto-based Xanadu is taking on Google and IBM in the race to develop quantum computers

Toronto startup’s eye test tool could catch Alzheimer’s signs years earlier

Founder of RetiSpec hopes the technology will make screening more widespread: “Eye clinics are like Starbucks — they’re everywhere.”

Want to learn more about the Build program?

 

Get in touch Apply now

MaRS gratefully acknowledges the support of the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.