Innovation, innovation, innovation!

There are new opportunities announced all the time to help innovative start-ups in Canada thrive! Innovation is important to our country and our economy and when it comes to supporting these start-ups, Canada ranks among the world’s best.

A recent article in Techvibes listed the Top 25 Technology Startup Ecosystems in the world. Three Canadian cities made the list Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, with Toronto in fourth place behind only Silicon Valley, New York and London!

Here are just a few of the programs currently available in Canada to help you launch and build your innovative start-up.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Young Entrepreneur Award: If you have a new idea to take your business to the next level, you could win $100,000 to implement your innovation project. With a $100,000 BDC Grand Prize for Innovation and a $25,000 2nd Prize Internet strategy by BDC Consulting experts, this competition is open to entrepreneurs, aged 18-35 and with a business in operation for over two years.

Deadline is May 6, 2012.

Spin Master Innovation Fund:  The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) and Spin Master Ltd. have partnered again to create the exclusive Spin Master Innovation Fund which gives up to 10 innovative start-ups in Canada an injection of financing and mentoring to launch and build a successful business. Open to entrepreneurs ages 18-34 years old, the fund offers each recipient:

• Up to $50,000 in financing
• Two years of business mentoring
• Two exclusive innovation workshops
• Expert advice from key business leaders
• Access to helpful business resources & a community of 5,000 members

Deadline is May 10, 2012.

The TELUS Challenge Contest: You could earn a $100,000 business grant by explaining the biggest challenge your business faces today and how a $100,000 grant would help you overcome it. Your entry will be reviewed by a panel of business experts and the most compelling entry will win a $100,000 business grant from TELUS. The winning company will also be profiled in the pages of the Globe and Mail Report on Business.  Residents of Quebec are not eligible to participate in this Contest.

Deadline is May 28, 2012.

Communitech HYPERDRIVE Tech Startup Incubator: HYPERDRIVE is a $30+ million incubator program for tech start-ups, with a global focus to seed, fund and grown new businesses. It builds early-stage start-ups with a technical focus from “Seed to Series A” VC funded companies.

The HYPERDRIVE program has leading investors, high caliber network of mentors and up to $700,000 in full lifecycle support.  Each year three cohorts of 10 businesses (total of 30 businesses) will be able to receive over $100,000 in-kind services, VC access and introductions, and foreign market exposure. Residents of Quebec are not eligible to participate in this Contest.

Deadline is June 4, 2012.