MaRS and Definity launch an accelerator for climate adaptation and resilience ventures
As damages from severe weather reach record levels, the Adaptech Accelerator will help scale solutions that protect communities and strengthen Canada’s resilience.
TORONTO, November 19, 2025 – MaRS Discovery District and Definity are pleased to announce the launch of the Adaptech Accelerator, a comprehensive initiative in Canada dedicated to scaling climate adaptation and resilience ventures.
In 2024, insured damages from severe weather surpassed $8.5 billion, becoming Canada’s costliest year on record. In fact, the impacts of climate change are projected to slow national economic growth by $25 billion this year. MaRS Discovery District and Definity are taking bold action to help Canadian ventures bring transformative, resilience-focused solutions to market faster. The one-year Adaptech Accelerator draws on MaRS’s history of supporting more than 1,200 ventures on their commercialization journey as well as Definity’s continued leadership in climate risk and community resilience. To gain key insights on this emerging market to inform this initiative, MaRS is conducting comprehensive research on Canada’s adaptation and resilience innovation ecosystem.
The accelerator will provide up to 10 Canadian startups with tailored programming, market research, network building, connections to world-class labs, raising capital, advisory and connections to investors, industry partners and governments seeking to adopt resilience solutions.
“With climate impacts intensifying, it’s clear that mitigation alone is not enough,” says Grace Lee Reynolds, CEO of MaRS Discovery District. “Through the Adaptech Accelerator and with the support of Definity, we’re helping ventures deliver technologies that will protect lives, livelihoods and local economies.”
“At Definity, we believe that building a more resilient future requires collaboration and forward-thinking innovation,” says Rowan Saunders, President and CEO of Definity. “Our commitment to helping Canadians adapt and thrive, combined with MaRS’s deep expertise in climate risk and venture support will advance a shared vision of a safer, more sustainable future for all.”
Registration for the Adaptech Accelerator will begin in 2026. Click here for more information.
About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District is a charitable organization and North America’s largest urban innovation hub, dedicated to helping Canadian technology companies succeed. With a focus on climate, health sciences and other emerging technologies, MaRS supports startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues. MaRS spans more than 1.5 million square feet of cutting-edge office, lab, meeting and event space in downtown Toronto across two locations — the MaRS Centre and MaRS Waterfront. Since 2010, MaRS has helped ventures generate $11.5 billion in cumulative revenue, raise $19 billion in funding, and create and maintain more than 33,000 jobs. The MaRS platform also includes MaRS IAF, one of Canada’s top seed-stage venture funds. Through its world-class facilities, strategic programs and partnerships, MaRS accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. For more information, reach out to the MaRS climate team at mfm@marsdd.com
About Definity Financial Corporation
Definity Financial Corporation (“Definity”, which includes its subsidiaries where the context so requires) is one of the leading property and casualty insurers in Canada, with over $4.7 billion in gross written premiums for the 12 months ended September 30, 2025 and over $4.0 billion in equity attributable to common shareholders as at September 30, 2025.
Contact Information:
Media contact: Amanda Whalen
awhalen@marsdd.com
MaRS Discovery District